The Lovels of Arden
Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Read by Cate Barratt
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
Reviews
Happy ending? Not so much. But great reader.
kerriganm
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
TLocke
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.
duncalino
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
A LibriVox Listener
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.
Rebecca
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
A LibriVox Listener
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.
Loretta
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
Marula Designs
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.