Georgette Heyer Fans discussion

& this thread is for open spoilers and final conclusions!

& I have just finished this book. This time, Bertram didn't irritate me so much. I must have been in a benevolent mood!

I've only been on Chapter 5 so far, It's been months since I've read a Heyer and her humor is just what I need while I'm on quarantine. How Arabella a country girl enjoyed the two course meal at Beaumaris' hunting box but the cook was ready to slice his neck with a carving knife because what he served was not at all high class, and serving lemonade at a dinner was gaudy? lmao the things i learn in a Heyer...

Also Heyer voices her opinion through Lady Bridlington: "No my love, it is not so at all! That sort if thing [a gentleman liking an innocent country girl] may do very well in a novel, and I am very fond of novels myself but they have nothing to do with life, depend upon it!"

Hope you're all having a joyful new year celebration btw

I'll be a bit late starting this. Finishing up a series I'm reading.

I adore Arabella, it's one of my all time favourites. I reread it yesterday and loved it again. Arabella Tallant is young, but she has a lot of common sense which I like a lot.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "& this thread is for open spoilers and final conclusions!

& I have just finished this book. This time, Bertram didn't irritate me so much. I must have been in a benevolent mood!"

Well, did we read this last time right after reading the Heyer bio? With the family financial woes Heyer faced fresh in our minds, her portrayal of a profligate brother would have been maddening! I am glad she had the outlet, though - therapy on the page! I found Bertram’s foolish hijinks predictable, but pretty much typical for any young gentleman loose one the town for the first time, as our hero gently points out to Arabella!

Carolien wrote: "I adore Arabella, it's one of my all time favourites. I reread it yesterday and loved it again. Arabella Tallant is young, but she has a lot of common sense which I like a lot."

Yes, and innate decency- the incidents with the horse, maid, chimney sweep and dog have me chuckling every time! She’s wonderful, especially in such a carelessly cruel age…

Sorry you’re having to endure quarantine, Ceecee, but Heyer should certainly help!

I just zipped through it and enjoyed it a lot, though Heyer does perhaps give more page time to Bertram’s shenanigans that she needs to.

I love Arabella the character for her conscience and her genuine kindness, plus the spirit she shows when offended, but she is a bit of a goose and I fear Beaumaris may tire of her ultimately. I like the way he is portrayed, his sense of humor, and the slow flourishing of his better self, aided by Ulysses, though I know some readers are bothered by the way he deceives Arabella toward the end. Of course, Ulysses steals every scene he’s in!

Ulysses must be the best dog in a Heyer, don't you think?

Absolutely! Though Lufra has his moments (the Baluchistan Hound!), as well as Bouncer (I think his name is) from The Reluctant Widow.

Abigail wrote: "Sorry you’re having to endure quarantine, Ceecee, but Heyer should certainly help!

I just zipped through it and enjoyed it a lot, though Heyer does perhaps give more page time to Bertram’s shenani..."

I love when he wants to battle Poodle Byng’s high-bred poodle! I laughed out loud - and I loved how Ulysses became such a companion and sounding board for Robert, while enslaving the entire household!

Thanks for the cheering me up, Abigail! I am enjoying it so far and the simple and "predictable" romance between Arabella and Beaumaris is just what I needed. I loved how Beaumaris was able to see Arabella in her authentic moment. The urchin and the dog might be repeated plot devices (as i read Frederica before this)but They are utterly entertaining and serve to bond the two leads even further, more than simple dance parties. I'm at the part when Bertram shows up and it looks like the romance will have to take a backseat, idk, we'll see. I know Heyer doesnt really like it when her readers only focus on the romances but I can't help it, she really knows how to write romance and tug at my soft romantic heart

I reread Arabella sometime in 2021 (not long enough ago for another reread). My feelings about it remained unchanged from the first time I read it--it's charming. Arabella and Beaumaris are two of my favorite Heyer leads. I love how dismissive she is of him through much of the book. She does become more of a goose at the end. I blame it on her concern for Bertram. My hope is that she regains her spirit after they marry.

You’re right about that moment, Ceecee, when Beaumaris suddenly sees her true character and loses his heart to the real person—so much more romantic than mere attraction!

I've read this I don't know how many times and it's one of my favourites, partly because Arabella (along with Sir Waldo Hawkridge) is one of very few GH characters with a social conscience, and she puts it above social status.
I hate the way Beaumaris strings her along at the end, though, for his own amusement , when he must have known she was out of her mind with worry.

That’s why I love Arabella too! But I’m not sure Beaumaris did it only for his own amusement—he wanted her to trust him, and to muster the courage to be truthful with him. I think he wanted their future relationship to go forward on that basis, as much for her sake as for his own.

Just finished the book and loved it! Well, it's an escapist romance and it surely delivers. You can tick every trope in here but idk, there's just something in Heyer's writing that makes her romances stand out and be deemed "classics". or is it only because i'm a fangirl? haha

the plot in the end was tricky...bella was desperate to sabe her brother and her country girl thinking was dominating maybe? and it was kind of unreasonable for beaumaris to think bella would confess everything to him when she believed that everyone thought she was really rich? though i understand why he did it...it all made an entertaining final arc in the end

A second (or third?) read of ARABELLA for me. I'm usually not a big fan of the Heyer books that feature a young and innocent female protagonist and an older more socially experienced male protagonist, but Arabella works better for me, in large part because the narrative is not asking readers to laugh AT Arabella along with Beaumaris for much of the story (at least not until the final chapters). Arabella knows that he is flirting with her, and bringing her into prominence, for his own entertainment, and is staunchly determined to enjoy the situation herself, rather than be a ninny and believe his polished but not very heartfelt compliments and flatteries. As she says to her godmother,

"If you do not see any objection, ma'am, I mean to encourage Mr. Beaumaris's attentions, and make the best use I may of them! He believes himself to be amusing himself at my expense; I mean to turn him to very good account! But as for losing my heart—No, indeed!" (115, Sourcebooks edition).

Only after the book turns away from the "troubles" that Arabella's social justice instincts bring to Beaumaris, and the pleasure it offers changes to laughing with Beaumaris AT Arabella's innocence and inability to think beyond the immediacy of her brother's financial problems leads her to act like a "goose," does the book lose its luster for me.

I was struck during this read by the Tallant siblings' attitude toward their father. He's kind, but wants all his children to be like him, a serious, studious type. And he doesn't get angry, but instead disappointed, when they are not. They, in turn, love and admire him, but find the weight of his expectations, and his disappointment, to be a burden. Bertram especially, but Arabella too at times, would much rather avoid his sad eyes and self-blame than to speak to him directly about what they want and why it might be ok to what something different for themselves than what he wants for them. Their mother treats her husband the same, too; she loves and respects him, but believes that she must act behind his back and keep certain actions and beliefs from him, for his own good. The narrative endorses this "evade and manipulate" course of action throughout, for comic effect. The reader is meant to laugh with and admire those who can manipulate others, (Arabella's mother, Beaumaris), even if those others are kind and loving.

Will Arabella lose her innocence, and learn to play the manipulation game? And if she does, will Beaumaris still enjoy her as he does now? As he notes to himself about 1/3 of the way into the story, "It was fortunate that he was thirty, and no longer to be caught by a pretty face and naïve ways, for he knew well that these would pall on him, and that he wanted something more in the lady whom he would one day marry. He had never yet found just what he was looking for, did not even know what it might prove to be, and was perfectly resigned to his bachelordom" (128).

Yes, I am uneasy about Arabella's apparent willingness to go along with maintaining the fiction that she is a great heiress after her marriage. It does strike me as something that she would be glad not to have to maintain and that she would not be comfortable with it on moral grounds. I can't see that it's at all necessary either - everybody knows Beaumaris's penchant for practical jokes and it would be so much easier just to pass off the story as one of those. Nobody but Fleetwood can say they ever heard her make the claim herself, after all.

I am just past the first meeting of Mr. Beaumaris and Arabella, am thoroughly enjoying it. I was struck by the opening chapters and the relationships with the father this time through. It does not strike me as odd, the working around the father. Many families have this dynamic, even these days. It always makes me sad.

As for Arabella, I suspect she will keep Mr. B’s life interesting and will not need to worry so much about preserving his fragile ego as her family seems to have felt they must with her father.

I love the opening of this book, even though the characters disappear from the page afterward. The set piece scene at the start really establishes the individual characters, the family dynamics, even their socioeconomic situation in a vivid but economical way.

I would like to see what happens with the whole family as they live out their lives…those who step through the door Arabella opens by marrying Beaumaris, & those who might choose not to do so. Would make a great series, but would need the light touch of a Heyer channeler author.

Me too! I’d be especially interested in Sophia—she seems very smart and observant.

I wouldn’t like Beaumaris nearly as much and been able to understand how/when he fell in love with Arabella. Wonderful way to share these insights with the reader

I enjoy the opening chapters in rereads more than I did in my youth, always eager to get to the romance portion of the story back then. Now I enjoy it all.

Kim wrote: "I would like to see what happens with the whole family as they live out their lives…those who step through the door Arabella opens by marrying Beaumaris, & those who might choose not to do so. Woul..."

Oh, yes, that would be interesting! I agree with all the observations above, about the family dynamic, everyone wants to avoid disappointing the father they love and respect - but, as someone raised Catholic and familiar with guilt being used to encourage good behavior, I couldn’t help feeling it was a bit manipulative and passive aggressive on the father’s part! Especially in a family with so many children, it seemed unrealistic to expect them all to be serious and studious - and I couldn’t help wondering about the relationship between the parents. Clearly, they love each other, but they have a large family, all of whom have to be settled in life. I think it’s sad that so much pressure is on Arabella to marry well, so everyone else can get on! I know that’s the way it was, but it certainly doesn’t seem the most satisfactory and sensible way to run a society!

As Abigail points out, though, the family dynamics are laid out humorously and efficiently in the beginning. I just found myself paying more attention this time!

I've read a couple of reviews that said this was GH's take on Pride and Prejudice After thinking "No way!" I thought again.

Robert & Arabella both misjudge each other, there is an overhead conversation that contributes to the misunderstanding & a family member's behaviour could bring disgrace to the heroine.

I can see the connection, though it feels a bit tenuous.

Abigail wrote: "I can see the connection, though it feels a bit tenuous."

Yes, to me it seems like more of a jum off point for GH & then she created her own story.

very interesting, Carol, I had not thought of it that way.

beaumaris rescuing bertram without any second thoughts does remind me of what darcy did. i agree GH made this her own.

after reading her biography, i enjoy reading about real historical events that heyer drops in the novel, such as lord elgin's marbles. i had wondered why beaumaris commented about the statue's questionable origins. i also learned about the vauxhall gardens. it makes her romances more set in reality, and therefore believable.

Ceecee wrote: "beaumaris rescuing bertram without any second thoughts does remind me of what darcy did. i agree GH made this her own.

after reading her biography, i enjoy reading about real historical events tha..."

Yes, this "....beaumaris commented about the statue's questionable origins...' is not a very typical GH hero thing is it? The wonderful Nonesuch Waldo Hawkridge would have done of course , but while I remain deeply in love with Freddy from Cotillion , he would have merely commented on Elgins' bad ton, I feel.

Hmm, interesting! I’m trying to think of Heyer heroes who showed themselves connoisseurs or displayed their education rather than just their good ton, and I think you’re right that it is uncommon. Hugo Darracott does reveal that he’s familiar with the “Ajax” quote his cousin is mockingly leveling at him, but that’s the only other example that springs to mind right now.

@barbara oh, freddy! one of my favorite heroes. yes i do imagine him only commenting "that's bad ton" and such lol. i think beaumaris said what a lot of people thought at the time. from what i read, the elgin marbles must have caused a stir in london.

i noticed a typo from my last comment. i thought these scenes made the story feel more set in /reality/, made me feel more like the characters were real people in real events, and that makes the romances a bit more realistic too.

I've been lurking for a quite a while now, but I'd like to jump in to say how wonderful and rewarding this group is! I love your observations on the family dynamics among the Tallants. Suddenly I realize why it was so easy to connect with them...

Some of you mentioned how difficult it is to take in the niceties of character and plot when haring after the romance – something I keep doing even on the nth reread! Audiobooks are really helpful there, they keep me from skimming or skipping.

As to Beaumaris and the Elgin Marbles, I always took him to be putting it on. It was something of a cliché even at that time to rail about Elgin "stealing" the Parthenon sculptures. Once again he's displaying his boredom with good society, showing himself to be above his company.

It reminds me a bit of the dialogue between Lizzy Bennet and Darcy at the Netherfield ball: "You might comment on the dance – I would remark on the number of couples" etc.

Great point, Elizabeth, about that comment signaling his worldliness. And to Ceecee’s original point, it shows the depth of Heyer’s research and ability to subsume her research into the action that she’s able to turn a detail like that into a throwaway comment that says something about the character. She makes it look effortless!

Barbara wrote: "Ceecee wrote: "beaumaris rescuing bertram without any second thoughts does remind me of what darcy did. i agree GH made this her own.

after reading her biography, i enjoy reading about real histor..."

Yes, Freddy would comment on bad ton or a poorly tied cravat…;)

Elizabeth wrote: "I've been lurking for a quite a while now, but I'd like to jump in to say how wonderful and rewarding this group is! I love your observations on the family dynamics among the Tallants. Suddenly I r..."

Interesting you mention audiobooks- I love them for rereads because I become more engrossed in the plot, as if I were standing nearby listening to the conversations and observing the actions. I always come away from an audiobook reread feeling as if I’ve discovered something new, if that makes sense.

Abigail wrote: "Great point, Elizabeth, about that comment signaling his worldliness. And to Ceecee’s original point, it shows the depth of Heyer’s research and ability to subsume her research into the action that..."

So true, Abigail, you sum it up perfectly- she makes it look effortless. As a writer, you could sum it up better than I, but it feels to me as if her characters are three-dimensional, living, breathing people in her head, she just stands by and writes it all down! Reminds me of interviews with authors, where they say about their characters, “he or she just leapt on to the page, fully formed”, or “he just wouldn’t go away, I had to write it!”

That’s certainly true of her best books! I especially like how the characters’ own quirks set the action in motion (such as here in Arabella, where her offended pride drives her into pretending she’s an heiress) and everyone’s natural reactions keep the story going.

Abigail wrote: "That’s certainly true of her best books! I especially like how the characters’ own quirks set the action in motion (such as here in Arabella, where her offended pride drives her into pretending she..."

Yes - definitely a case of impulsively getting in over her head!

Susan in NC wrote: "Interesting you mention audiobooks- I love them for rereads because I become more engrossed in the plot [...] I always come away from an audiobook reread feeling as if I’ve discovered something new, if that makes sense.

Absolutely, Susan, that's exactly how I feel! And you're right about audiobooks being best for rereads. For the first read, a printed copy is helpful, at least for logocentrics like me who can't remember names unless they know how to spell them. With a telling name like "Beaumaris" it's doubly important, of course – it would be a shame to miss the author's complicit wink there.

Abigail wrote: "Everyone's natural reactions keep the story going."

That's the ideal, isn't it? And Ms Heyer does it so well that I at least keep forgetting what an outrageous coincidence it is for Arabella's carriage to break down right in front of Mr Beaumaris's shooting lodge....

And she is not aware, of course, that pushing mamas have been engineering meetings with their blushing girls and our hero for years, thus arousing his ire at what he takes to be an even more blatant attempt!

Elizabeth wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Everyone's natural reactions keep the story going."

That's the ideal, isn't it? And Ms Heyer does it so well that I at least keep forgetting what an outrageous coincidence it is f..."

Such a good comment , I don't even have to try to suspend disbelief at outrageous coincidences or fortuitous happenings like Beaumaris and Fleetwood just happening to be there - alone- at the crucial time

Though, bearing in mind Susan's comment above , I suppose it would not have been outsides the bounds of possibility for such a mama to have got wind of Beaumaris and Fleetwood's visit and sent her daughter out in a defective carriage à la Mrs Bennet sending Jane on horseback to the Bingleys in the hope of downpour !

I didn't get to the read this month. Put myself under so much pressure last year with group reads, NetGalley and the Challenge I ended up not being able to read for the latter half. I'm taking it easy this year and getting back to enjoying the books I love best.
I've enjoyed the discussion here. Some great comments made.

Good for you, I’m taking it easier this year as well, if we’re reading for pleasure, it shouldn’t feel like work!

Abigail wrote: "I love the opening of this book, even though the characters disappear from the page afterward. The set piece scene at the start really establishes the individual characters, the family dynamics, ev..."

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when Mr B suddenly turns up there to ask permission to propose to Arabella!

yes, I'd liked to have seen the family's interation with him.

Definitely! If only the Reverend had traveled to London (concerned about something he read in a letter from Arabella, perhaps) instead of Beaumaris going there.