Historical Romance Book Club discussion
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BOTM 1 – January 2025 – Arabella
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It was hard to get into this book. I'm on page 241. The writing is excellent, but the pacing is slow.
I have quite a few GH books, but not this one. The books I have read of hers , I find them slow at the beginning, but they tend to get better, though I DNF one of them Infamous Army , very boring.
I finished. I was a little disappointed. Georette Heyer tends to always knock it out of the park for me, but not with this one. The slow pacing and the lack of romance killed it for me. I liked the MC, but I didn't see them as a couple. Maybe my expectations were too high. The writing is still really good. I give it a 3.5 stars
Shaz, I find her books slow in the beginning too, which is probably why I don't read her more. The story did get better once she reached London. I just wasn't as interested in the plot.
She is definitely a hit and miss author. She started writing her books in 1921 , so her style of writing is probably not for today’s generation. Different values today. Though her writing is probably more true to the times she writes about.
I enjoy reading today’s authors, but sometimes they need to read a few history books on the time period they are writing about.
I agree some of Ms Heyer's books feel quite dated now. Also, some of them have surprisingly little romance in them. As a teen I really loved the books, but I've moved on in my reading tastes, and there are some of them I'm sure I wouldn't like now. Having said all that LOL, Arabella is still a fav of mine. I'm currently rereading, and loving it all over again. Her family as depicted in the start of the book feels so real and believable to me. And although there's not a lot of overt romance in the book (as compared with most HRs of today LOL), I can really feel it in this one, especially from Beaumaris.
He's aged thirty and always hoped to find 'the one', but it's never happened. Now he's head over heels in love, but trying to go slow and not frighten Arabella off. And she's attracted to him too, but not trusting that a mature man-of-the-world like him could really be attracted to an innocent young nobody from Yorkshire like her.
I'm currently just over half way through, in Chapter 9. Their relationship is developing nicely. (view spoiler)
I'm totally enjoying the book again. There are lots of subtle moments to be savoured. e.g. Chapter 5 (view spoiler)
I agree the book is a slow build for the first few chapters, but I'm now enjoying Beaumaris' careful courtship, and Arabella's impulsive but genuine actions.
@Shaz, I agree An Infamous Army is a difficult read. Although there is a beautiful romance in it, it only plays a small part, and for the most I remember it as really just a fairly long, slightly dry history of the Battle of Waterloo. I totally understand the dnf.
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "She is definitely a hit and miss author. She started writing her books in 1921 , so her style of writing is probably not for today’s generation. Different values today. Though her writing is proba..."
I still can't believe her books came out in the 20s. Wasn't she 18 when her first book was published? Still, I never had a problem reading them but I think a lot has to do with my mood. I liked A Civil Contract. Some people found it boring but I liked their friendship and comfortability. I just didn't connect with Arabella's couple. Though, i'm starting to wonder if the version I read cut some scenes. I started out with an older version with 400 pages, then I couldn't get it again so I read another version with 300 pages. Maybe I missed some crucial parts
Jan wrote: "I agree some of Ms Heyer's books feel quite dated now. Also, some of them have surprisingly little romance in them. As a teen I really loved the books, but I've moved on in my reading tastes, and t..."I'm glad this is still a winner for you. My favorite is still These Old Shades.
I agree, Lauren. These Old Shades is another fav of mine too, and it was first published in 1926! Almost 100 years ago! Some of the language is a little dated, OK, but it's still a great read. Amazing.I have finished my reread of Arabella and for me it's still 4.5 to 5 stars. Loved it.
Lauren, I get that you didn't connect with the main couple. It happens. Their romance is understated and the hints about their attraction are quite subtle at times and could be easily missed. For me, I enjoyed all those little moments and scenes, and could really see them in my head. I'm not sure if there is a 'shorter' version of the book around, but maybe?
One thing I liked about the book is that Heyer showed some sympathetic awareness of the plight of the poor in London at that time (e.g. Jemmy the climbing boy). Through Arabella, Heyer was critical of the hypocrisy of some of the rich, who went to church on Sundays, but closed their eyes as to the real world around them.
Join us in reading this HR that fits the theme: Age Difference. Happy reading!
Arabella by Georgette Heyer
Synopsis:
To Arabella Tallant, the eldest daughter of a penniless country clergyman, the invitation to stay with her London godmother was like the key to heaven, for in addition to living in the glamorous city, Arabella might even find a suitable husband there. Armed with beauty, virtue and a benevolent godmother, the impetuous but impoverished Arabella embarked on her first London season with her mother's wish in mind: snare a rich husband.
On her way to London Arabella's carriage breaks down outside the hunting lodge of the wealthy and socially prominent Robert Beaumaris, fate cast her in his path. Arabella's only fault is impetuosity, and her pride stung when she overhears a remark of her path of arrogant host, who accused her of being another petty female after his wealth, the proud, headstrong ingenue made a most startling claim -- she was an heiress! A pretense that deeply amuses the jaded Beau. To counter her white lie, Beaumaris launches her into high society and thereby subjects her to all kinds of amorous fortune hunters in London and other embarrassments.
Suddenly Arabella found herself the talk of the ton and pursued by some of the most eligible young men of the day. But only one caught Arabella's fancy: Beaumaris, the handsome and dedicated bachelor. She should know better than to allow herself to be provoked by nonpareil Beau. But would her deceitful charade destroy her one chance for true love...?
Beaumaris, however, although a most artful matrimonial dodger, badly underestimated his seemingly naive adversary... When compassionate Arabella rescues such unfortunate creatures as a mistreated chimney sweep and a mixed-breed mongrel, she foists them upon Beaumaris, who finds he rather enjoys the role of rescuer and is soon given the opportunity to prove his worth in the person of Bertram Tallant, the also impetuous young brother of Arabella....