Wednesday, the 8th of March, and time for Shelf Control once again! Shelf Control is a weekly feature created by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies, and celebrates the books waiting to be read on your TBR piles/mountains. Since early January 2023, Shelf Control has moved base here to Literary Potpourri. To participate, all you do is pick a book from your TBR pile, and write a post about it–what it’s about, when/where you got it, why you want to read it and such. If you participate, don’t forget to share your links in the comments. I’ll check out your picks of course, and also add you to the list of participants in this post!
Today’s pick is from an author I very much enjoy reading, but from whom after starting another genre I’ve been neglecting the one I started with. Arabella (1949) by Georgette Heyer. Georgette Heyer has ever been a favourite of my mother, and we always had her books around. After neglecting these for a while since I wasn’t (and still am not) much of a romance reader, I found to my delight that I very much enjoyed her writing, characters and also the sense of the Regency period she gives us. And I read a fair few of the books. But then, I discovered her mysteries, which I found I enjoyed even more, especially the eccentric characters and sparkling dialogue. The effect has been that I have since been reading one mystery after another and some of those Regency books have just been waiting.
In Arabella, the eponymous Arabella Tallant is the daughter of a penniless clergyman. Her wealthy godmother (almost like a fairy godmother in this instance), invites Arabella to stay with her in London, not only a chance to live in the glamourous city but also have a London season where she just might find a husband. And so with the support of her benevolent godmother, the beautiful but impetuous Arabella embarks on her first London season!
Sounds like fun doesn’t it? I think it will be too since I have enjoyed (even if the degree has varied) all the Heyer romances I’ve read so far. I’m interested to see how Arabella measures up against other Heyer heroines!
Have you read this one? Which is your favourite Heyer book? Do you prefer her mysteries or her romances?
Cover image and description via Goodreads as always
If you’re joining in this week, do leave you links down below and I’ll add you to the participant list
This Week’s Participants
Literary Potpourri 
I’ve never read anything by Georgette Heyer, put off by the covers even as a teenager, I think, However, several people whose opinions I trust have told me that she writes well. Perhaps I should try one.
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She does indeed. If you’re sceptical of the Regency books I’d still recommend the mysteries–the characters and dialogue are great fun (even if the former can at times be exasperating 🙂 )
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The more recent covers are all rubbish IMO. The older Pan ones were much better. 😃
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I agree. My mom has many of her old Pan ones but some are the newer eds.
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I think the cover for Arabella is particularly bad as it doesn’t convey her character at all.
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Thanks for linking mine! I loved Arabella, but then, I really can’t think of a Heyer Regency that I DIDN’T like. Her lively conversations are a real draw, for me.
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Glad to hear that. I hope I can get to Arabella soon. The dialogue I agree is a real draw, even I her mysteries.
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Arabella was the very first Georgette Heyer that I read about 50 years ago now and it still remains one of my favourites. I loved the character of Arabella and her impetuosity which stemmed from a desire to help others is lovely . There are some great comic scenes in this as well as a gorgeous romance. I hope you enjoy it when you finally read it.
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I haven’t read a Georgette Heyer book yet! I should start with this one
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Hope you enjoy it, Wendy🙂
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Arabella is sitting on my own TBR too, although for me it will be a reread. Many years ago I read tons of her romances, and I always like to have one or two on the TBR for anytime when I’m feeling a little blue or under the weather. Like PG Wodehouse, she is literary chicken soup to me!
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Wodehouse and Christie are ones I turn to first but I love Heyer too. But her mysteries have lately diverted my attention from the romances.
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I loved this one!! I just started reading Georgette Heyer within the last five years or so, and her books are always such fun. The problem for me is that a lot of them blur together in my mind, especially the books with the characters’ names as the titles… but I looked back to see, and I gave this one five stars! I know I’ll be reading another of her books with my book group this year (Cotillion), and I have a few others on my shelves that I’m looking forward to. Hope you enjoy Arabella!
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Glad to hear that. And I can understand getting muddled between the characters and plots. I don’t remember all the details of Cotillion but I know it was good fun and likeable characters. The Eligin marbles I remember are mentioned.
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I also find her books running together in my mind but I know I liked this one. You make me want to reread it too! I’ve only read one of the mysteries, sounds like I should try some more.
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True, it does happen with them. But I’m glad to hear you liked this one and hope you get a chance to revisit soon!
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Have never read Heyer, not even her mysteries. Which mystery of her would you recommend to start with?
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Oops, I always associated this author with romance, and it’s a genre I don’t enjoy, so I have never read her. I didn’t know she also wrote mysteries! Which one would you recommend?
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I started with No Wind of Blame which the first of the mysteries featuring Inspector Hemingway, but he appears as a subordinate to Superintendent Hannasyde in four prior books which start with Death in the Stocks. Either is a good place to start. The series has some recurring characters we meet in other books. Another standalone I’d recommend though much darker than her other books and more a psychological study than mystery is Penhallow but a very different note than the others which have plenty of humour and eccentric characters.
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Thanks for all these recommendations, I’m going to check where to go
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I loved loved loved Georgette Heyer when I was in High School and remember that I really liked Arabella a lot. I think I need to reread a few Georgette Heyers. The Grand Sophie for sure!
Elza Reads
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Grand Sophie was (and is) wonderful. I even read a knockoff version which my mom found second hand which changes some elements but broadly keeps things the same.
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