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Mrs. Martell
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
10 posts | 8 read | 6 to read
'As far as I am concerned, Aunt Violet, I don't want another penny of your money. I can go out and earn my bread' and she saw a distinct picture of herself working her fingers to the bone and being seduced by goodness knows whom. Obsessed with money and class and all the appearances of a sophisticated life, but coming herself from genteel poverty, Cathie Martell rarely loses her focus on getting what she wants, regardless of the feelings or happiness of those who get in her way. Her Aunt Violet, for example, who finances her education, or her first husband, or the man she's set her sights on to be her second (not to mention that man's current wife). Elizabeth Eliot's third novel, first published in 1953, follows an utterly self-absorbed, superficial woman from her teens to her second marriage. But if that sounds unsavoury, you clearly haven't encountered Eliot's giddy prose, as packed with clever insights and a sharp eye for detail as it is with humour. This new edition includes an introduction by Elizabeth Crawford. Furrowed Middlebrow and Dean Street Press have also reprinted three of Eliot's other long-neglected novels--Alice, Henry, and Cecil--in their first new editions for more than half a century. "Malicious, alarmingly observant and continually amusing" Sunday Times "There are sad patches in this book because wickedness is a sad business, but also enchantingly funny ones. Lady Elizabeth's writing is light and witty as ever--delicious conversation pieces again--and her judgment of people is always penetrating and often tolerant" Time and Tide "Written with a humour that is adult without being cynical and from an outlook that is observant without being critical" The Sphere
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bookandbedandtea
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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Pickpick

Oh the dreadful Mrs Martell! This book feels much more modern than it is, I kept forgetting that it was written in the '50s. Unfortunately it isn't only Mrs Martell who is horrible- there isn't a character to root for in this whole book. (Even poor Laura. I could sympathize a bit with her but I didn't exactly like her.) Still, watching people get exactly what they've schemed for only to be miserable was quite satisfying. 🤭

Ruthiella I agree that no one comes off well in this, even pathetic cousin Laura! 4y
bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella Pathetic is right! Although, Laura finally seems to come into her own at the end. 4y
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Cathythoughts ‘Dreadful Mrs Martell‘ 😂 I really enjoyed this 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
bookandbedandtea @Cathythoughts I did too and I never would have heard of it but for Litsy. 😊 4y
Cathythoughts I know ! I wouldn‘t have heard of it either , only for Litsy 👍🏻❤️ 4y
20 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
erzascarletbookgasm
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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Pickpick

I‘m so glad to have read this along with the #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub . What a character Mrs. Martell is! A real schemer, so bitchy, so nasty! A fun read with quiet humour, but there‘s also sadness in it all. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the ending is great.

Cathythoughts Great review & This was a great pick Jessie! I loved it 👍🏻❤️ 4y
Ruthiella It was such an entertaining read! Cathie Martell was quite the character! 😀 4y
quietjenn In agreement, 100%! Thanks for suggesting this one! 4y
LeahBergen Wasn‘t she a nasty piece of work?? 😆 4y
CarolynM Great choice, Jessie. I really enjoyed this one🙂 4y
66 likes2 stack adds5 comments
review
CarolynM
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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Pickpick

What a piece of work was Cathie Martell! But if was very entertaining, and ultimately satisfying, to see her get what she wanted and, indeed, what she deserved. I think the moral if this tale might be "be careful what you wish for". Thanks for the buddy read #FurrowedMiddlebrow gang. Any thoughts about which one next?

Cathythoughts It was such a good read. I‘m happy to go with whatever is decided for May 👍🏻❤️ 4y
Cathythoughts I wouldn‘t know what to recommend... I must investigate. There seem to be a lot of these books & more coming soon 👍🏻❤️ 4y
erzascarletbookgasm She sure is quite a character! I‘m almost at the end...got to where she got what she wanted 🙄. 4y
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erzascarletbookgasm I must investigate what to suggest next, too. Shall we each suggest a book and the rest vote, or each of us takes turn to suggest a book? 🤔 4y
LeahBergen Yes, this was a solid pick for me and oh, how I enjoyed that ending! A bit of darkness and a bit of humour is always my cup of tea. 👍 4y
LeahBergen Hmm... our next pick? I own a lot of the Furrowed Middlebrows so I‘m up for any suggestions. Perhaps we should simplify things and each take a turn at choosing a book, as @erzascarletbookgasm suggests? @Cathythoughts @Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads @quietjenn 4y
Cathythoughts Will go in rotation so ...? & so who‘s next ? I could pick ... it would be pot luck though ! Or would @ruthiella @rubyslippersreads @quietjenn have one in mind .... ??? What do you think ? @LeahBergen @CarolynM @erzascarletbookgasm (edited) 4y
Ruthiella I so agree that the end was satisfying! I was a little worried (in a good way which means I was invested in the story) that it wouldn‘t. I‘m OK with each picking a new round. I don‘t own any, other than Tom Tiddler‘s Ground. So I‘m open to any new title. 😀@LeahBergen @CarolynM @erzascarletbookgasm @quietjenn @Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads (edited) 4y
rubyslippersreads I hope to finish today. As for the next pick, I own quite a few Furrowed Middlebrows and also have some Amazon credit, so I‘m open to anything. 😊 @LeahBergen @CarolynM @Ruthiella @quietjenn @erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts (edited) 4y
quietjenn This was a very solid Just Desserts sort of ending, which I found awfully satisfying! 4y
Cathythoughts Will you pick the next one @rubyslippersreads ? Would that be ok ❤️ 4y
quietjenn I‘m pretty open as to our next read, as well. I have quite the stash of them built up and am never opposed to adding to it! I‘m good with rotating suggestions. 4y
rubyslippersreads @Cathythoughts Oh my goodness, the pressure. 🤣 I‘ve had this one on my TBR list for awhile 4y
Ruthiella Mrs. Martell was the suggestion of @erzascarletbookgasm . How about @rubyslippersreads chooses for May @quietjenn for July, @LeahBergen for September and @CarolynM November @Cathythoughts January 2022 and me March 2022? That brings us full circle! 😃 4y
quietjenn @Ruthiella thank you for a) remembering who suggested this one and b) taking the lead and setting a plan for us! I approve both of this schedule and @rubyslippersreads choice of Miss Plum and Miss Penny. 👏 @erzascarletbookgasm @LeahBergen @CarolynM @Cathythoughts 4y
Cathythoughts @Ruthiella sounds perfect 👍🏻 I‘m off to order my copy of Miss Plum & Miss Penny 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
LeahBergen Thanks for your organizational skills, @Ruthiella ! 😆 I‘ve had an old edition of Miss Plum and Miss Penny on my shelves for quite a while now so great pick, @rubyslippersreads ! 👏🏻 @quietjenn @Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm @CarolynM 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Alright! I‘ll go order our next read! The rotation plan is perfect. 👌 @Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @quietjenn @CarolynM 4y
CarolynM Miss Plum and Miss Penny it is! Thanks 😘 @rubyslippersreads And thanks for the schedule 😘 @Ruthiella (edited) 4y
59 likes1 stack add20 comments
quote
rubyslippersreads
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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LeahBergen Yes! And hell it would be. 😆 4y
Ruthiella 😂Yes! Excellent quote! 😂 4y
quietjenn Such a good line. Someone needs some hazard pay 😆 4y
Cathythoughts Imagine it 😳😂😂 4y
55 likes4 comments
blurb
quietjenn
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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I have finally made it to the skiing, y'all! Lean avay! 🤣 These characters are really something, to say the least. Super enjoying the book though, and not sure I'd have gotten to it without the #FurrowedMiddlebrowGang, so hooray! @Ruthiella @CarolynM @rubyslippersreads @erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen

CarolynM Glad you're enjoying. I'm dragging my heels. Will get back to it soon. 4y
rubyslippersreads I‘m not up to the skiing yet. I‘m a bit like @CarolynM 😊 4y
Ruthiella I liked the book a lot and am glad of the introduction to this author. I look forward to more #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub discoveries in the future! 😀 4y
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LeahBergen This section gave me traumatic ski lesson flashbacks 😆 4y
Cathythoughts I wouldn‘t have got to it without #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub either ... loved it so much. Looking forward to our next one in May ... lean avay 😂 ⛷! What a laugh 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Aww, I haven‘t gotten to the skiing yet. I‘m loving the book, loving our first book for #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub 4y
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quote
Ruthiella
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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“You follow me and you lean avay from the hill”

I didn‘t realize skiing was that easy? 😆

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Cathythoughts Stop 😂if I read “ lean avay from the hill “ one more time .... I was cracking up 🤣 4y
Cathythoughts Another great picture ! You‘re on a roll ❤️👍🏻 4y
Cathythoughts I wonder if all her books are this good 4y
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Ruthiella Leah was right, it‘s a real mix of humor and dark! 4y
Cathythoughts Yes! And I love this mix 4y
LeahBergen I‘m just starting this chapter. 😆😆 4y
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I really loved another of this author‘s books 4y
CarolynM Wonderful picture. I haven't got to the skiing yet. I look forward to it. 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Ooooh who goes skiing? 😃 I‘m enjoying this very much, I‘m glad we picked Mrs Martell, my first Elizabeth Eliot. 4y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I‘m getting Alice ! Thankyou fir the tip X 4y
AmyG It‘s not remotely that easy. 4y
quietjenn I‘m not there yet either, but probably everything is easy when you‘re so beautiful. 4y
38 likes12 comments
blurb
CarolynM
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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Nearly halfway my sympathies are entirely with Laura.
#FurrowedMiddlebrowGang

Ruthiella I‘m worried about Laura! 😬 4y
Cathythoughts I‘m finished & I absolutely loved this book! I‘m with you both , I‘m mad about Laura ❤️ 4y
LeahBergen Poor Laura, indeed! 😬 @CarolynM @Ruthiella 4y
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LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I‘m about 75% through and loving it, too! 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Me too @Ruthiella ! I‘m only at the beginning where Laura was wishing she were dead 😨. I‘m really liking it so far. 4y
quietjenn It‘s so sly and smart! I really need to catch up with y‘all! 4y
Centique I love your mug! 😍 4y
57 likes8 comments
quote
Ruthiella
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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“Her legs were looking particularly good in that photograph, and her hips were turned
at just the right angle; but then in all the photographs her hips were turned at just the right angle “

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Leftcoastzen Love this photo! So glamorous! 4y
LeahBergen Perfect! 😆 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
Cathythoughts Oh that‘s perfect! That‘s her alright ! 4y
erzascarletbookgasm What a great find! That‘s very Mrs Martell! 4y
CarolynM Almost exactly what I'm imagining👏🙂 4y
36 likes5 comments
blurb
LeahBergen
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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ShelleyBooksie I am intrigued! 4y
Ruthiella This is turning out to be a darker read than I anticipated. But I am enjoying it so far. Just wondering how it will all turn out! 4y
MsMelissa Lovely photo 😊 4y
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LeahBergen @Ruthiella I read another one of her novels (Alice) and it was a mix of humour and darkness, too. 4y
LeahBergen @MsMelissa Thanks! And it‘s Murchie‘s Earl Grey. 😉 4y
Cathythoughts @Ruthiella @LeahBergen Yes there‘s almost a Hitchcock vibe about it 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Lovely photo. I too snickered at the first page! 4y
CarolynM She's a piece of work, alright! I'm up to chapter 5. 4y
tpixie @LeahBergen I Love earl grey!! Lovely cup and saucer! 4y
Reviewsbylola I love books with bitchy, PITA narrators. Cathie sounds fun! 4y
84 likes4 stack adds12 comments
blurb
Cathythoughts
Mrs. Martell | Elizabeth Eliot
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Mrs Martell is so enjoyable.. I‘m trying to take off her ‘ beautiful ankles ‘ for a laugh 😂!! She is some cookie! Very good so far #furrowedMiddleBrowClub

CarolynM Beautiful ankles indeed😍😂 I'm looking forward to getting to know Mrs Martell. 4y
Cathythoughts @Carolynm 😂oh yes she has ankles & legs & a turn of the hip ... ( I must try the hip turn ... I‘m not even sure what that is 😂 4y
batsy Oh, fabulous photo and ankles 😘 That cover, too 😍 4y
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rubyslippersreads Lovely ankles! I hope you‘re also admiring your face in a mirror. 🤣 4y
quietjenn What a tease! Looking forward to meeting her this weekend 🙂 4y
Cathythoughts @batsy @rubyslippersreads stop 😂I‘m only having a laugh. It‘s a great cover. It‘s a very amusing book ... & it‘s sad too.. 4y
Cathythoughts @quietjenn I look forward to your thoughts. I‘m just over half way now 👍🏻 4y
LeahBergen 😆😆 I love this!! I‘ll be starting this weekend. 4y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Oh good ... look forward to your thoughts on it ! 4y
Ruthiella I‘ve only just started, but she is quite a character! 4y
Cathythoughts @Ruthiella Isn‘t she something else !! 👍🏻 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Hahaha! Are you holding a hand mirror, too? Mrs Martell sounds foxy! I‘ll be starting next week. 😁 4y
Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm looking forward to your comments .... you‘ve been missing a bit .. miss you ! Look forward to connecting with you soon again ! Take care my friend X 4y
Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm and yes ! The hand mirror will be out for all of us 🤣 ... it‘s the old fairy tale .. whose the fairest of them all 😁 4y
rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen I‘m starting this weekend too. 4y
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