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Publisher's Summary

Perhaps the most deeply cherished novel among Heyer fans, Arabella is the story of a poor girl who captures the heart of a handsome and wealthy bachelor. When Arabella first arrives in London, she has only one mission: to snare a rich husband. With a mind to beat the competition, she pretends to be a rich heiress and soon finds herself the talk of the town, pursued by the most eligible bachelors in the city. But she has her sights on one man only: the much-hunted Mr Beaumaris. Our feisty heroine puts up a fight and deals the worldly-wise Beaumaris a deft hand in the game of love; at first grudgingly charmed, he soon becomes smitten. However, what will he think of her deceitful charade? Will it ruin her chance to be with the perfect man? Arabella contains some of Heyer's most witty dialogue and romantic banter; with its delightful and laugh-out-loud passages it is no wonder it remains the fan favorite.
Download the accompanying reference guide.
©1949 Georgette Heyer (P)2014 Naxos AudioBooks
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By Carol on 10-05-14

Don't Believe the Synopsis

Maggie's review on Audible UK summed it up perfectly:

"Gold stars all round for finally recording Arabella, unabridged, and by Phyllida Nash. Points off for whoever wrote the bland 'publisher's summary' that manages to make the book sound like the diary of a gold-digger."

The synopsis of this book (as of 10/14) has every aspect of this charming story wrong. Anyone who reads the first chapter will know that Arabella is certainly *not* a gold-digger. And the amusing misunderstanding-leading-to-deception that drives the plot is far more the work of Beaumaris than of Arabella.

I would say it is with the 1949 publication of "Arabella" that Georgette Heyer completely took possession of the Regency romance in a way that defines the genre to this day. "The Grand Sophy," perhaps her most famous work, followed in 1950, with another 15 years of wonderful books before the stories (in my opinion) began to slide in the late '60s.

There is some similarity between the plot and characters of "Arabella" and those of the later "Sylvester," but Arabella is unique. The scenes where Arabella quite innocently foists a mongrel dog (to say nothing of the chimney sweep's "climbing boy") into the care of the suave and "dandy" Beaumaris are priceless. Her father and mother, though relatively minor characters, are wonderful.

For fans of Heyer, this one is not to be missed. These Naxos editions continue to eat my credits for lunch, but I'm not complaining.

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74 of 75 people found this review helpful

5 out of 5 stars
By Kathleen Ward on 01-15-15

Fun. Endearing

Well worth the credit
Will likely listen to again One of Heyer's best ones. Not Austen but closest author I can find. Performance/reading is lively and does justice to the book

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10 of 10 people found this review helpful

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By Alison on 02-02-15

One of GH's best!

The summary given for 'Arabella' gives a very false impression of the book. Arabella is an entirely innocent girl from the country, who naturally wants to see more of the world, and enjoy life in London. It is her innocence that makes the book so enjoyable, and the fact that she does what her conscience tells her is right, never mind the consequences. She is not 'after a rich husband', but her parents want her to make a 'good' match, so she feels it her duty to find a suitable husband. She did not 'have her sights' on Mr Beaumaris, nor does she 'put up a fight' - she was entirely taken by surprise when he proposed to her, and only then realised she was in love with him - and then declined him for reasons of conscience, until he told her he knew her secret.

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11 of 11 people found this review helpful

5 out of 5 stars
By Maggie on 10-04-14

Arabella, unabridged - just as requested.

Any additional comments?

Gold star all round for finally recording Arabella, unabridged, and by Phyllida Nash.

Points off for whoever wrote the bland 'publisher's summary' that managed to make the book sound like the diary of a gold-digger.

There's no mention that Arabella is young, the daughter of a Yorkshire clergyman, and slightly naive about the ways of high society. Imbued with her father's standards, and unaware that the rest of the polite world don't necessarily think the same, she renders her fashionable hostess's life extremely uncomfortable by sticking to her principles, getting involved with a bullied climbing boy and rescuing a scruffy mongrel amongst other social disasters. We're in Georgette Heyer world though, where impending social death is always avoided - eventually

This is a witty, enjoyable comedy of manners and it's great to finally have it added to Audible's Heyer collection. Thank you.

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6 of 6 people found this review helpful

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By Brian on 12-07-17

Arabella

Once again I love this book, the narration of which by Ms.Nash was absolutely outstanding!

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5 out of 5 stars
By Anonymous User on 10-14-17

One of Georgette Heyer’s best

Great characters and regency society wittily portrayed
Recommended to those who enjoy the delightful escapism of these novels. Arabella is a favourite heroine and the novel is read with wit and verve.

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