Arabella - Jan 2015 Group Read - Chapters 1 to 6

[Amy]

Of we go!

[Jackie]

one of my favorite (minor) characters is Arabella's Mom. she has a lot to put up with but does it so lovingly. I especially like how she ...wait, not sure how far along chapter 6 is, I'd better check...BRB
how she "happens" to visit her brother in law and he gets the idea of sending Arabella and her chaperon in his carriage. and gives her 50 pounds to spend, holy moly, that is a lot of money for her.

[Amy]

I'm listening to this as an audiobook and it's my second time through. The first time I read it. That was a few years ago now so I've forgotten most of it! Yay. Things will be a surprise to me then.

Jackie - How many times have you read it before?

[Amy]

Can someone check and see how many chapters there are in a book edition? My audiobook says 17 but I'm not sure I trust it ...

[Linda]

Yes, there are 17 chapters in the book I have.

I read this over the Christmas break while I had the library book and time to read. I will wait to comment until I can look back through the book and see where chapter 6 ends so I don't give anything away.

This was my first time reading Arabella and I loved it. My first good ol' Georgette Heyer Regency romance in a few years now.

[Abigail]

I just started this afternoon. Love the way the whole family is depicted!

[Jessica]

I also like the family portrayal: a good family, but not ridiculously perfect, even having a reverend for a father. Very realistic and definitely reminds me of my family, especially the lively interaction between brothers and sisters.

[Jackie]

I have read it many times, a dozen at least. like all of the romances!

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

I really enjoy the part where Arabella and her sisters are in their room all together looking at fashion magazines. It's such a sweet scene and GH labels one of the younger girls as a "Job's Comforter." TeeHee that always makes me laugh when I read it.

[Carolien]

One of my all time favourites. Looking for to the reread.

[Abigail]

Enjoyed the scene when Arabella’s pride and temper betray her into pretending to be rich! Sowing the seeds of discord . . .

[HJ]

Beaumaris is very mischievous to encourage Lord Fleetwood to believe that Arabella is indeed very rich, given that he has decided that she is not and he knows what a rattle Lord F is. Plus, according to his cousin Lady Wainfleet, Beaumaris has decided that he wants to make her the most sought-after female in London.

He of all people must know how much damage all this could do to Arabella. Even if he is very bored he should not behave like that.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

HJ, I thought that this was a little cruel for Beaumaris to do that to such a very young lady.
But I guess 18 then was not as young as it is now.

[Abigail]

In light of HJ’s and Andrea’s comments, revising my previous: both Arabella and Beaumaris are sowing the seeds of discord by indulging their lesser natures.

[Linda]

HJ wrote: "Beaumaris is very mischievous to encourage Lord Fleetwood to believe that Arabella is indeed very rich, given that he has decided that she is not and he knows what a rattle Lord F is. Plus, accord..."

Ah...to be rich and bored. What comes is mischievousness, hurt feelings, and all other sorts of tangles.

I know that Beaumaris knew fairly early on that Arabella was not the rich heiress that she made herself out to be, but I guess when Beaumaris initially had that conversation with Lord Fleetwood I didn't think he knew for sure that she was not an heiress. That also changes my perspective from when I first read the book.

So, I agree with Abigail. They are both to blame for the tangle.

[Karlyne]

Linda wrote: "HJ wrote: "Beaumaris is very mischievous to encourage Lord Fleetwood to believe that Arabella is indeed very rich, given that he has decided that she is not and he knows what a rattle Lord F is. P..."

Absolutely! The both indulged themselves at the other's expense.

[HJ]

Linda wrote: "...I guess when Beaumaris initially had that conversation with Lord Fleetwood I didn't think he knew for sure that she was not an heiress. ..."

But what about that bit at the end of chapter 4, when he says to Fleetwood: "You have never heard of the Tallant fortune? My dear Charles --!"" That told me he knew, coupled with the bit just before it, when he carefully takes snuff.

I agree that Arabella is also to blame, but she was much provoked!

[Linda]

HJ wrote: "But what about that bit at the end of chapter 4, when he says to Fleetwood: "You have never heard of the Tallant fortune? My dear Charles --!"" That told me he knew, coupled with the bit just before it, when he carefully takes snuff."

Yeah, you are right about that bit! I don't have my book in front of me so I don't know at what point in the story this happens, but I do remember thinking this sounded awfully suspicious of Beaumaris.

[HJ]

Linda, it's just after Arabella leaves Beaumaris's house with the governess after dinner, and Fleetwood is saying that he's never heard the name Tallant before.

[Linda]

HJ wrote: "Linda, it's just after Arabella leaves Beaumaris's house with the governess after dinner, and Fleetwood is saying that he's never heard the name Tallant before."

Ah. Thanks! I was indeed suspicious after that comment, I guess I just wasn't 100% sure.

(I'm still getting back in the swing of things reading Heyer. I should have caught on quicker!)

[HJ]

So Linda, is it long enough since you first read them that it's like reading them for the first time? I'd love to be able to recapture that feeling!

[Linda]

Well, I have only read a handful of her books to begin with several years ago. So far with the group I've read Arabella and Death in the Stocks, neither of which I had read before. I think if I reread Friday's Child or The Grand Sophy it would be like reading them for the first time for sure! But...I have a terrible memory anyway, so I don't think I would have to go several years in between reads. :D

[Carolien]

I love her descriptions of the minor characters. Her description of Lady Bridlington at the start of Chap 5 is absolutely delightful and the motives that she attaches to the various ladies who show an interest in Arabella's fortune for their sons and nephews are so funny.

[Jacquie]

I hav read most of GH's Regency novels so many times that I doubt I could come to reading any of them as for the first time! That said,there are several that I haven't read for some time and would recommend for a group read sometime: The Tollgate for one.

[Amy]

Jacquie wrote: "I hav read most of GH's Regency novels so many times that I doubt I could come to reading any of them as for the first time! That said,there are several that I haven't read for some time and would..."

I'm making note of suggestions for future read alongs. :)

[HJ]

Carolien wrote: "I love her descriptions of the minor characters. Her description of Lady Bridlington at the start of Chap 5 is absolutely delightful and the motives that she attaches to the various ladies who show..."

I agree -- it's wonderful! One really feels one understands Lady Bridlington and the way she would behave in any given circumstances. Similarly, as Jackie said way back in comment 2, the description of Arabella's mother and the way she achieves things in a gentle way, knowing the personalities of her husband and his brother, the Squire. And Jessica and Andrea have referred to the description of the Tallant family at home, which is also so well done. Each of the siblings is a distinct personality, rather than merely being the heroine's brothers and sisters.

I think it is one of Heyer's real strengths, the way she is able to convey a character's personality so well but also quickly and amusingly. She obviously has a clear picture of each person, no matter how small a role they play in the story as a whole -- think of Beamaris's chef ("the artist in the kitchen"), the various butlers, the squire's coachman... It's done subtly but really enhances our enjoyment of the book.

[Karlyne]

HJ wrote: "Carolien wrote: "I love her descriptions of the minor characters. Her description of Lady Bridlington at the start of Chap 5 is absolutely delightful and the motives that she attaches to the variou..."

I think I've said before somewhere else (or at least thought it!) that in this respect her books remind me of Frank Capra films and Shakespeare's plays. The supporting players are essential for our enjoyment!

[Elza]

Carolien wrote: "Her description of Lady Bridlington at the start of Chap 5 is absolutely delightful "

"Time had done more to enlarge her figure than her mind. ... Her disposition was kindly; she liked the people round her to be as happy as she was herself ... and, provided she was not expected to put herself out for them, or to do anything disagreeable, she was both kind and generous to her friends."


Definitely Austen-esque. Not harsh or mean-spirited, but there's an edge to Heyer's description.

[Jackie]

yes, that is masterly!

[Amy]

I love how genuine and kind Arabella's family seems to be. There is no jealousy or hatefulness about her getting to go on such adventure while her sisters are left at home.

[Carolien]

Emr wrote: "Time had done more to enlarge her figure than her mind. ... Her disposition was kindly; she ..."

I'm currently reading Northanger Abbey and her description of Lady Bridlington is very similar to Jane Austen's of Mrs Thorpe. There are quite a few similarities between the books.

Jane Austen takes quite a swipe at critics who disliked novels in her book and early in Chap 1 Arabella's father is also mentioned for his dislike of novels.

[HJ]

Funny you should mention Northanger Abbey; I'm re-listening to The Reluctant Widow and thought that the beginning was deliberately "Gothic", in the same way Northanger Abbey is when Catherine goes on her visit to the Abbey. I'm not sure whether Heyer was evoking Austen or Ann Radcliffe!

[Carolien]

HJ wrote: "Funny you should mention Northanger Abbey; I'm re-listening to The Reluctant Widow and thought that the beginning was deliberately "Gothic", in the same way Northanger Abbey is when ..."

Hope you're enjoying The Reluctant Widow. It's one of my favourites.

[Amy]

I'm listening to the scene where Arabella pretends to be rich. Ugh. It's such a cringe-worthy moment.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

This is one of my favourites! :) I reread quite recently, so won't read again. I'll just refer to it when I'm contributing to the discussion.

I'll start as soon as I've finished Death in the Stocks.

[HJ]

Carolien wrote: "Hope you're enjoying The Reluctant Widow. It's one of my favourites."

Mine too!

[Louise Sparrow]

I listened to Arabella and funnily enough it put me in mind of Northanger Abbey too a few times.

I listened to The Reluctant Widow over Christmas as well, it's definitely a favourite, and the first one I ever read :)

[QNPoohBear]

This first chapter is absolutely brilliant and shows why GH was the best at what she did. It's so chock full of details and the language is amazing. No one else would think to write "affected orfice." (p.1)

The Tallant family is so real, so normal in the way they tease and argue. Arabella is a little fussy for me at first but her qualms about London seem to disappear quickly. I don't like stories about deception but I think Beaumaris sees right through her right away. If he's the leading arbiter of fashion, he can easily tell her clothes are country made and not quite "the thing" even if her dressmaker worked hard to make them so.

I'm not sure what to make of Beaumaris. He's snarky and cynical but he revealed his concerns to his friend in PRIVATE and wounded Arabella's pride. If he had said something within earshot deliberately, I think I wouldn't like him very much. He is kind to the governess companion and even to Arabella, sensing she isn't used to champagne and risking his cook's temper to bring forward dinner, all for her, which is very sweet and kind.

I don't care for his friend, Lord Fleetwood. Thanks to his big mouth though, Arabella is a hit in London. I'm not so sure Beaumaris is taking Arabella up because he's bored. Maybe partly but I think he knows she's too innocent and will be eaten alive by the London tabbies. Really, his pretending she's an heriess helps her social status... at least until they find out she's lying. I can't imagine that would go over well. Plus she's the one who started it with ehr ridiculous claim so he feels like she deserves what she gets. He'll teach her a lesson in the process.

I love when Arabella rescues the horse and the maid. She'so naive and because she's a vicar's daughter, she assumes everyone is filled with Christian kindness and would behave the same as her family would. She's about to find out that's not the case.

[QNPoohBear]

Thanks to Google, we can read the same issue of Ladies' Monthly Museum
Method of Preserving Milk in Horse-Radish
p.338 and Augustus Waldstein appears on 128.
White Wax for the Nails doesn't show up and neither does Human Teeth Placed to Stumps or the tract on novel reading. Too bad we can't read that issue too. Bertram's copy of The Christian Comforter hasn't made it to Google but there's a later edition from 1846. History of Persia is here

[Karlyne]

Qnpoohbear wrote: "Thanks to Google, we can read the same issue of Ladies' Monthly Museum
Method of Preserving Milk in Horse-Radish
p.338 and Augustus Waldstein appears on 128.
White Wax for the Nails doesn't show u..."

Oh, my Qnpoohbear! I'm going to have to try the horseradish/milk idea this summer...

[Abigail]

Cool, Qnpoohbear! I wouldn’t have thought to look for Ladies’ Monthly Museum on the Web; that will be a big help. Probably GH was taking articles from various issues and lumping them together as if they were all in the same one. Can’t wait to search for Human Teeth Placed to Stumps!

[QNPoohBear]

Abigail wrote: "Cool, Qnpoohbear! I wouldn’t have thought to look for Ladies’ Monthly Museum on the Web; that will be a big help. Probably GH was taking articles from various issues and lumping them together as if..."

I went back and reread the passage and the Tallant girls had several old magazines. Margaret is reading the one Google has with Augustus Waldstein and Sophy is reading another volume. Sophy's volume contains those oh so lovely helpful hints. I really want to read them now. LOL!

[Karlyne]

Qnpoohbear wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Cool, Qnpoohbear! I wouldn’t have thought to look for Ladies’ Monthly Museum on the Web; that will be a big help. Probably GH was taking articles from various issues and lumping the..."

How much fun would that be?!