Arabella by Georgette Heyer

arabellaNarrated by Phyllida Nash

Arabella is one of my favourite Heyer Regencies, so I was delighted when I learned that Naxos was bringing out a new audio version with Phyllida Nash narrating. Ms Nash earned an A from me for her superb narration of Venetia, so I had high expectations. I’m pleased to report that she doesn’t disappoint.

Arabella Tallant is the eldest daughter of the large family of a country vicar. When her Godmother offers to bring her out and give her a London season, Arabella’s mother is delighted, and hopeful that Arabella’s beauty will attract a wealthy suitor. The young lady in question is naturally excited at the prospect, and determined to fulfil her mother’s wishes by finding a husband of means who will be able to offer financial assistance to her family.

On the journey from Yorkshire to London, her travelling coach is damaged, and rather than have to sit in the freezing cold while the coachman fetches help, Arabella decides to seek shelter for herself and her companion at the nearest house.

Robert Beaumaris and his friend, Lord Fleetwood, are settling in for a quiet evening when Arabella arrives on the doorstep, and Beaumaris is instantly suspicious. Arabella senses that her host is far from pleased at her sudden appearance, and that it’s only his gentlemanly good manners that are preventing him from sending her about her way. His friend, however is a different matter, and makes her feel welcome.

After freshening up, Arabella is about to re-join the gentlemen when she overhears Beaumaris complain to Fleetwood that he is tired of every single eligible female he encounters setting her cap at him, simply because he’s incredibly wealthy. He explains some of the subterfuges to which some of them have resorted and says he believes Arabella’s arrival to have been no accident, but a carefully planned attempt by yet another gold-digger to entrap him into marriage.

Naturally, Arabella is roused to indignation by such an idea – but instead of berating Beaumaris for entertaining such an insulting supposition, she instead decides to play him at his own game and tells him and Fleetwood how troublesome it is to be a great heiress, and have to bear with the machinations of all the men who are after her vast fortune.

Supposing Beaumaris a mere country gentleman she’s unlikely to meet again, Arabella thinks her little ruse will do no harm. But she hasn’t been in London long before she discovers that her story about her being rich has spread and she really is besieged by suitors keen on availing themselves of her non-existent wealth.

Arabella is horrified at the thought of being assumed to be something she is not. And her mortification is only increased when Beaumaris arrives in London and takes a decided interest in her. At first, he does it in order to cement her position as one of the reigning beauties of the ton – after all, for a young woman to have attracted the notice of one of the leaders of London society, she must be something special – but very soon, he finds himself utterly captivated by her freshness and is paying court to her in earnest. For her part, Arabella is quick to see that he is not at all the haughty, arrogant man she had first believed him to be, and realises she is falling for the funny, kind and generous man she is coming to know. But she can’t possibly allow herself to fall in love with him, because how can she tell him the truth? If she confesses to being penniless, he will think she’s just as bad as all those other women who set their caps at him and will reject her – and that she will not be able to bear.

Arabella is a thoroughly engaging story, full of witty dialogue, colourful secondary characters, and is definitely one of Ms Heyer’s most “romantic” romances. It’s a book I particularly enjoy because of the insight afforded into the development of the central relationship from the hero’s perspective, which isn’t something that occurs very often in her books.

Robert Beaumaris is one of Heyer’s most swoonworthy heroes. He’s somewhat arrogant to start with it’s true, but otherwise, he’s pretty much the perfect romantic hero. Handsome, charming and rich (of course!), he’s also got a very dry sense of humour and an air of confidence and capability about him that is incredibly attractive. Even more adorable is his forbearance with Arabella’s preponderance for picking up strays – whether people or animals. His one-sided and very insightful conversations with the rescued mongrel he names Ulysses are among the high points of the book.

Arabella is young and perhaps a little naïve, but she’s not silly or helpless. She’s willing to stand up for those that are weaker and less fortunate and to fight for what she believes in – and the way she plays Beaumaris at the start of their relationship displays a quick wit, a mischievous sense of humour and a sense of self-awareness that immediately alerts the listener to the fact that in spite of the hero’s greater experience, Arabella is more than capable of holding her own against him. Immediately, we’re shown that in spite of the Beaumaris’ wealth and his greater experience of life, theirs will not be a completely unequal match.

Phyllida Nash really excels in this sort of material, and I enjoyed her performance enormously. She differentiates between the various characters very effectively, and all her characterisations are carefully and appropriately observed. Her melodious speaking voice is naturally deep, so adopting and sustaining a lower pitch for the male characters is absolutely no problem for her, and she also has no trouble going in the opposite direction, and using lighter tones to portray the women. As with any romance, the narrator’s interpretation of the central couple is key, and I found her portrayal of Beaumaris to be particularly satisfying. She skilfully conveys the dry wit and kindness of heart that lurks beneath his aura of world-weariness, his willingness to laugh at himself and the depth of his affection for Arabella. I’ve seen concerns expressed that she sounds too old to be narrating a story with such a young heroine, but I disagree. Ms Nash is an incredibly accomplished actress, and perfectly able to – and does – perform characters of any age convincingly. Moreover, she delivers the narrative stylishly and with an impressive command of the language and sense of period.

Caz


Narration: A

Book Content: A-

Steam Factor: You can listen out loud

Violence: None

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks

Arabella was provided to AudioGals by Naxos Audiobooks for a review.

12 thoughts on “Arabella by Georgette Heyer

  1. Thank you Caz! Your review made me realize I had the Kindle ebook and got the audiobook companion for only $3.99!!

  2. I’ve always wondered if I would have liked Arabella better had I read it before Venetia, Frederica and Regency Buck.
    I did enjoy the audio…..in fact much more than in print which is unusual for me.. Robert Beaumaris is one of Heyer’s best romantic heroes…..I love the bit with the dog.
    My only complaint about the almost perfect narration is Nash’s portrayal of Arabella. She sounds too old. I’ve felt that with the other books she’s narrated like Venetia and A Civil Contract. That said……I still think Phyllida Nash is one of the best historical narrators in the biz.

    Fantastic review Caz, thank you!

    1. You’re welcome :) Perhaps it’s because I’m no spring chicken myself, but I don’t think Ms Nash sounds too old. In fact, I’m glad she doesn’t sound like a brainless teenager, because that would completely spoil the book for me!

      It’s all subjective, of course – and I think it’s quite difficult to make an accurate assessment of someone’s age based on their voice alone. But I’m more than happy with Ms Nash’s work here, and would happily listen to more if only there were more Heyer books with recording rights up for grabs.

      As ever, Mel – it’s a pleasure chatting audiobooks with you!

    2. Mel, I agree that Nash makes Arabella sound elderly. She did a good job with Beaumaris, though.

  3. Wonderful review, Caz! I, too, thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Nash’s performance and the charming story. I’m on a bit of a Heyer kick at the moment and just having finished Arabella (prize from AudioGals!!), it’s my new favorite.

  4. Wonderful review, will definitely download the audio version on the strength of your review. When I can find it for a reasonable price that is…£21.95 on ITunes at present! Must have :(

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