Victorians! discussion

Please use this thread to discuss the chapters 1 - 11. Those who read the printed version please refer to message 6 in the Reading Schedule for any discrepancy on chapters.

The first chapters introduce the characters and set the pace for the story to unfold. We meet Lord Mount Severn, a peer in great debt and her daughter beautiful, innocent and timid Lady Isabel. There is Mr. Carlyle, a wealthy lawyer who through the purchase of East Lynne forms the Earl comes in to contact with them. Then there is the Hare family who is troubled and burdened by their son being convicted for murder despite his claim for innocence. There is also a captain Levison whose role is still obscure.

How do you feel about these characters, especially, Lady Isabel, Mr. Carlyle and Barbara Hare who I feel will play major roles in the story?

As the story progresses, Barbara Hare entreat Mr. Carlyle to help her to clear his brother, Richard Hare claiming his innocence. Mr. Carlyle acquiesces.

What are your views on Richard Hare's claim of innocence at this stage of the story?

Lord Mount Severn and Lady Isabel come to stay at East Lynne as guests of Mr. Carlyle. The Earl dies there leaving her daughter unprovided for, and Lady Isabel finds out that she is destitute.

What are your views on the Earl?

Once the Earl dies, the creditors and their agents rush down to East Lynne to claim what they can from the Earl's estate. Some even go to the extent of 'arresting' the dead man not allowing the undertakers to take the body.
After the initial shock I found this quite hilarious.

How do you feel about it? :)

In chapter 2 we come across a broken Cross. The Cross given to Lady Isabel by her dying mother as a farewell gift is broken. Lady Isabel fears that it is a bad omen.

With the turnout of events, would you agree that it is a bad omen?

We also meet the new Lord Mount Severn and his conceited wife. What is your opinion on them?

Please note that the brief summary I've laid out above and few questions that I have thrown are only to initiate discussion. Feel free to discuss on anything that interest you. But kindly stick to the above mentioned chapters.

Happy reading and happy discussing!

I’m only just a little way into the text, but I loved the Tea Scenes and how they were used to show us several different personalities and their relationships.

Wow! Lots of drama and potential for so much more.

Through the first few chapters I kept wondering who would be getting her heart broken, Isabel or Barbara? Maybe both!

Then, Richard Hare showed up with the threat of imminent death and a wild mystery. (Aren’t the elder Hares and interesting couple?)

THEN, Lord Severn dies, leaving his daughter destitute! Imagine having to live with the horrid Mrs. Vane! Ugh. (Although, I thought that her signature at the moment her husband inherits was a great moment.) Vane is the perfect surname!

Renee wrote: "Wow! Lots of drama and potential for so much more.

Through the first few chapters I kept wondering who would be getting her heart broken, Isabel or Barbara? Maybe both!

..."

Well I get a feeling that both will be brokenhearted. Also I feel some unease for Lady Isabel. It looks like she is destined to a very dark fate now that she has to live with the Vanes.

I wish the author wouldn’t keep breaking in with predictions of doom. I suspect her readers would pick up the foreshadowing without having it pointed out to them. I wonder why she (or her editors) felt the need for that.

I agree about the predictions of doom. It is a little confusing. You get small details of an awful incident, oh there was a murder! I am enjoying the story so far. I am on chapter 6. Is anybody else having trouble with all of the characters and families introduced at once.

Renee wrote: "I wish the author wouldn’t keep breaking in with predictions of doom. I suspect her readers would pick up the foreshadowing without having it pointed out to them. I wonder why she (or her editors) ..."

I agree too, Renee. If this manner continues we may be able to learn the story before it ends. I'm quite disappointed with the way the story is presented.

Cindy wrote: "Is anybody else having trouble with all of the characters and families introduced at once. ..."

You can count me as one too, Cindy. Its a lot to remember!

Just when I was lacking something good to watch on TV (can’t find a new, favourite TV show to follow), this book comes in and covers it all. There is a lot of drama and peculiar characters. This is so much fun. Isn’t it the equivalent of a soap opera in those days when they didn’t have television?

Yes, I also found the undertakers sitting there in the midst of all the chaos quite hilarious.

The old earl was a good-for-nothing old father. I think he could have made more of an effort to secure his private economy and Isabel’s future.

I am surprised that Barbara is so active, making advances towards Archibald, visiting him all the time etc.. I don’t remember seeing a female character from Victorian times being so straight-forward (at least in the descriptions that we see as readers).

That’s one of the hallmarks of sensation literature, the women tend to be more active which was one of the objections to letting women read it, at the time.

That’s interesting. I had no idea.

Brittany wrote: "That’s one of the hallmarks of sensation literature, the women tend to be more active which was one of the objections to letting women read it, at the time."

That is an interesting piece of information, Brittany. Thanks for sharing.

Charlotte wrote: "I am surprised that Barbara is so active, making advances towards Archibald, visiting him all the time etc.. I don’t remember seeing a female character from Victorian times being so straight-forward (at least in the descriptions that we see as readers). ..."

Barbara reminded me of Marion in The Woman in White. They are not similar in character, nor in their situation. But they are similar in their spirit.

I like that. Marion was definitely a favorite with me.

Just started this on audio so it’s going to take me a lot longer to “read” than the rest of you but I’m trying to catch up!!

Renee wrote: "I’m only just a little way into the text, but I loved the Tea Scenes and how they were used to show us several different personalities and their relationships."

Yes!

The Vanes. Ugh. Horrid people.

I have begun reading this novel and thoroughly enjoy its Soap opera characteristics, as noted above by Charlotte. This genre can be such fun, making us laugh at human nature writ large. I agree about Barbara - how refreshing to have someone who is so honest about her feelings. She compares well with Lady Isabel's lack of warmth, at least initially. The honest writing about the Earl is really strong - we do not need to sympathise at all with him, and barely have time to worry very much about Lady Isabel. Yes, the Vane household is unpleasant but Lady Isabel , after a short romantic idea about working , realises she must be practical. I find the combination of romantic illusion and practicality rather enjoyable.

Robin wrote: "I have begun reading this novel and thoroughly enjoy its Soap opera characteristics, as noted above by Charlotte. This genre can be such fun, making us laugh at human nature writ large. I agree abo..."

Happy to hear that you are enjoying the read, Robin. I like your observation on Barbara. She is a breath of fresh air to the story with her honest, outspoken manners.