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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I still feel like a relative newcomer to the romance genre, but I know enough to know that Georgette Heyer is one of the OGs of regency, even if I'd never read her before, so when a stack of ARCs appeared at the library where I work, including new editions of three of her novels, I figured I should give them a shot. (Plus, I'm pretty sure nobody else at my library reads romances, and I hate to see a book go unloved.)
This is the first of the three, and it was a very entertaining read. The plot, of course, is paper-thin — pure fluff of the fluffiest sort. It's not entirely clear why the leads are attracted to one another, but it says they are, so we'll go with it. The characters are mostly stock, but they're unobjectionable. Arabella is the ingenue extraordinaire, naive but sharp enough to work her situation to her advantage, and good-hearted to a fault. Her wide-eyed innocence gets a little irritating and occasionally stretches believability, but not too badly. Mr. Beaumaris is clearly the star of the show: aloof and a little cynical, but with a sharp wit and ultimately a kind disposition.
Where this book really shines is the writing itself. The prose and dialogue are deliciously old-fashioned, with tons of period slang and a ridiculously wonderful degree of historical detail. The dialogue is genuinely witty - not the sort of "wit" you sometimes find when the author doesn't trust the reader to understand what's happening and so over-explains every joke, but genuinely sharp and fast-paced conversation, to the point where I occasionally had to re-read exchanges to make sure I was catching the gist. It's not a book you should expect to enjoy while only half-paying attention. The style won't be for everyone, and even for myself, it's not something I want to read every day, but in the right mood, this is delightful.
This is the first of the three, and it was a very entertaining read. The plot, of course, is paper-thin — pure fluff of the fluffiest sort. It's not entirely clear why the leads are attracted to one another, but it says they are, so we'll go with it. The characters are mostly stock, but they're unobjectionable. Arabella is the ingenue extraordinaire, naive but sharp enough to work her situation to her advantage, and good-hearted to a fault. Her wide-eyed innocence gets a little irritating and occasionally stretches believability, but not too badly. Mr. Beaumaris is clearly the star of the show: aloof and a little cynical, but with a sharp wit and ultimately a kind disposition.
Where this book really shines is the writing itself. The prose and dialogue are deliciously old-fashioned, with tons of period slang and a ridiculously wonderful degree of historical detail. The dialogue is genuinely witty - not the sort of "wit" you sometimes find when the author doesn't trust the reader to understand what's happening and so over-explains every joke, but genuinely sharp and fast-paced conversation, to the point where I occasionally had to re-read exchanges to make sure I was catching the gist. It's not a book you should expect to enjoy while only half-paying attention. The style won't be for everyone, and even for myself, it's not something I want to read every day, but in the right mood, this is delightful.
medium-paced
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really adored "Arabella"! I've never read Georgette Heyer before, & I highly recommend her, especially if you're a Jane Austen fan.
If you've read "Pride and Prejudice," then the story will be a bit familiar to you. Georgette Heyer was a fan of Austen, & put her own spin on the classic story. Whereas Austen focused on sense, Heyer focuses on sensibility. Arabella in a warm-hearted, impulsive woman, who finds herself caught up in a rumor (that she started) that she is an heiress (she's actually a vicar's daughter, with no fortune at all) & finds herself in various scrapes, & even involves some of her friends, for she finds she must keep up her facade & can't tell anyone the truth, even when it matters most.
According to the afterword, Heyer also based her novel on Jane Austen & her family, so it's actually a bit of a fictionalized biography of her favorite author, which is very fun.
The story was a bit like a Regency rom-com, with a meet-cute, & misunderstandings causing hilarious circumstances. Generally, I don't enjoy romances, but I found "Arabella" & it's main character to be a whole lot of fun. I'm now a Georgette Heyer fan, & I'll definitely be reading more of her novels.
If you've read "Pride and Prejudice," then the story will be a bit familiar to you. Georgette Heyer was a fan of Austen, & put her own spin on the classic story. Whereas Austen focused on sense, Heyer focuses on sensibility. Arabella in a warm-hearted, impulsive woman, who finds herself caught up in a rumor (that she started) that she is an heiress (she's actually a vicar's daughter, with no fortune at all) & finds herself in various scrapes, & even involves some of her friends, for she finds she must keep up her facade & can't tell anyone the truth, even when it matters most.
According to the afterword, Heyer also based her novel on Jane Austen & her family, so it's actually a bit of a fictionalized biography of her favorite author, which is very fun.
The story was a bit like a Regency rom-com, with a meet-cute, & misunderstandings causing hilarious circumstances. Generally, I don't enjoy romances, but I found "Arabella" & it's main character to be a whole lot of fun. I'm now a Georgette Heyer fan, & I'll definitely be reading more of her novels.
Can’t believe I’d never read a Georgette Heyer before. Felt a bit like reading a proper Austen albeit a bit easier to read.
The plot was super fun. Loved how much Beaumaris was living for the drama, I was absolutely cackling by the end
The plot was super fun. Loved how much Beaumaris was living for the drama, I was absolutely cackling by the end
Not to make this book sound childish(because I don’t mean to at all), but in the exact definition of the word, it’s adorable;
I adore this story.
I adore Arabella’s spirit. I adore Robert, especially when he has perfect conversations with Ulysses. I adore the writing. I adore the humor, I don’t know how many times I busted out laughing.
Well done, Miz Heyer, well done!
I adore this story.
I adore Arabella’s spirit. I adore Robert, especially when he has perfect conversations with Ulysses. I adore the writing. I adore the humor, I don’t know how many times I busted out laughing.
Well done, Miz Heyer, well done!
