Sweeping Sagas discussion

Spoilers from Volume I may be discussed - consider yourself warned :)

Just finished book III. How is it going Moppet? By the way, where is Misfit???

Laura wrote: "Just finished book III. How is it going Moppet? By the way, where is Misfit???"

Well, I've finished. Here are my thoughts on books III and IV:

1. This was probably the part of the novel which dragged for me the most. The author's efforts to keep Edgar and Camilla apart start to feel very contrived.

2. But I think she's making a serious point about how idiotic the courtship conventions of the day were. Young ladies are not supposed to show a preference for any man, yet Dr. Marchmont thinks Edgar shouldn't marry until he is sure Camilla loves him.

3. Mrs Arlbery is one of my favourite characters. As she is rich and a widow (presumably - there's no mention of a husband) she gets away with unconventional behaviour.