The Lovels of Arden


Read by Cate Barratt

(4.5 stars; 207 reviews)

The novel traces the return of a young Englishwoman from several years of schooling abroad, to find that her life will not take up where she thought it would. Clarissa Lovel faced not only an emotionally and financially bereft father, but her first glimpse at love - and that not from the best vantage point. (Summary by Cathy Barratt) (15 hr 39 min)

Chapters

Chapter I. Coming Home 24:56 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter II. Beginning the World 13:19 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter III. Father and Daughter 20:14 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter IV. Clarissa is "Taken Up" 22:50 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter V. At Hale Castle 34:46 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter VI. And This is George Fairfax 16:33 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter VII. Dangerous Ground 15:38 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter VIII. Smouldering Fires 24:22 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter IX. Lady Laura Diplomatises 12:30 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter X. Lady Laura's Preparations 16:27 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XI. Daniel Granger 16:33 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XII. Mr. Granger is Interested 15:46 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XIII. Open Treason 23:43 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XIV. The Morning After 11:23 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XV. Chiefly Paternal 15:46 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XVI. Lord Chalderwood is the Cause of Inconvenience 20:29 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XVII. "'Tis Deepest Winter in Lord Timon's Purse" 15:00 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XVIII. Something Fatal 22:48 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XIX. Mr. Granger is Precipitate 14:06 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XX. Model Villagers 10:40 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXI. Very Far Gone 20:56 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXII. Taking the Pledge 18:45 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXIII. "He's Sweetest Friend or Hardest Foe" 17:15 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXIV. "It's Arden Court" 27:16 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXV. Wedding Bells 12:45 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXVI. Coming Home 18:34 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXVII. In the Season 6:26 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXVIII. Mr. Wooster 11:40 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXIX. "If I Should Meet Thee--" 31:05 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXX. The Heir of Arden 25:19 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXI. The Nearest Way to Carlsruhe 35:43 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXII. Austin 36:04 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXIII. Only a Portrait-Painter 19:54 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXIV. Austin's Prospects 7:35 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXV. Sisters-in-Law 7:53 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXVI. "And Through the Life Have I Not Writ My Name?" 13:02 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXVII. Stolen Hours 17:41 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXVIII. "From Clarissa" 11:20 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XXXIX. That is What Love Means 16:01 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XL. Lying in Wait 16:04 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XLI. Mr. Granger's Welcome Home 8:11 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XLII. Caught in a Trap 40:41 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XLIII. Clarissa's Elopement 26:02 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XLIV. Under the Shadow of St. Gudule 9:36 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XLV. Temptation 17:59 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XLVI. On the Wing 8:17 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XLVII. In Time of Need 31:36 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XLVIII. "Strangers Yet" 23:23 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter XIL. Beginning Again 21:05 Read by Cate Barratt
Chapter L. How Such Things End 13:26 Read by Cate Barratt

Reviews

Happy ending? Not so much. But great reader.


(3 stars)

I read that this had a happy ending, so I listened. Now I feel duped and a bit depressed. The characters were interesting (and not always likeable). They had clear motivations, and the clash of people's dreams and duties produces the drama in the book- everyone is reasonable according to their own (selfish?) lights. Good basics for a story. The ending seems to fall absolutely flat, however. It reads to me like the author was told to rewrite the last chapter and change the moral from "not following your dreams leads to misery all around you" into what makes me think of a Buckaroo Banzai quote, to wit: "What is the greatest joy? The joy of duty!" Yes, at the last minute everyone (we are told) becomes happy, even though no one has gotten anything they wanted and everyone his living a second-best life. But they're all being dutiful, and giving selfish people whatever they want, so it's okay? Good book and great reader, but the ending rings false and is depressing and frustrating.

Well read romance...of a sort


(4.5 stars)

Story if different types of love: for father, for adoring your man, and for a child. I didn't find the ending sad as some have noted. Maybe with age my own realization that ones ability to love can vary in ways unknown to my younger self. well read, a few mispronounations, not a big issue.


(4 stars)

This book is terrific..the reader is stupendous. The characters are well drawn, the story not too far fetched, Speaking of characters, the male protagonist/antagonist portrayed so positively at the start ultimately gets vilified for no good reason except bad luck. I enjoyed the hell out of this story and recommend it while-heartedly

True to the story


(5 stars)

Given the options the author had I think the ending is a happy one. People deciding to reform and reconcile past mistakes and bad judgements and honoring and respecting decency........ it is not giddy, passionate, breathtaking romantic love, it's better.


(5 stars)

I'm glad I found this gem. I can't really agree with some reviews that I read. I didn't see anyone vilified. I believe that there is something to be said for fulfilling obligations. The story ended happily for me.

Great story , great reader


(5 stars)

the story is heartbreaking yet beautiful with a happy ending and the reader does such a great job of keeping the characters together and making their woes and happiness' something really palatable.


(4 stars)

Excellent reader. Story is quite interesting except that the story is long and the stereotypes of both men and women are disappointing. All for the sake of honor. Gosh, try happiness and common sense for once.

Very well read


(5 stars)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Just as much as I've enjoyed all Mary Elizabeth Braddon's books. The reader of this one was exceptional. She made the story come alive.