You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
__ceecee__ 's review for:
The Unknown Ajax
by Georgette Heyer
One of my favorite Heyer couples! I love it when I can actually read how they developed love for each other, and that their dialogues were vibrant banter, rich with chemistry.
But I can't resist! Hugo is so steadfast and reliable and the way he chose Anthea without much doubt is swoon worthy. I love how Anthea was thoroughly rude to him on their first meeting and Hugo took it in stride but he fell in love with her when she was unguarded. Anthea was a levelheaded heroine like most GH heroines are. I love that she told Hugo that he can choose anyone he wants, that he should consider other women because he didn't experience the world of courting so much. That is a legitimate belief because one would really think Hugo wasn't exposed so much that he would "settle" for his cousin, and people could legit think their marriage was a convenient one. But who cares? Not Hugo!
I love the way their proposal was built up. The reader knows why Hugo made up his fake fiance so that Anthea would stay unguarded and warm to him and that made them bond. It was hilarious how she found out, and romantic when Hugo finally confessed and eventually proposed to her. All this in the middle of the book!
It's one of those Heyers where the dialogue between the couple is "there", not simply narrated. There are so much interaction between them. Unlike in, say, Venetia, where the majority of the couple's interactions and the way they fell in love were implied, not shown through dialogue.
I feel sorry for the customs officer who had to be duped to save the family. I reckon he wasn't a bad guy as Richmond says he was. He seemed to me just a police officer doing his job - containing and possibly eradicating smuggling in the area. Alas, he has no power over a rich family, which was tragic really. But the rich family are the main characters so they get to win.
I'm sure GH wanted to comment on smuggling historically, but ended up brushing it off under the rug because of how her books were made to be structured. The publisher wanted a fun frolic romance. Yet Heyer wanted to be a serious historical novelist. I can understand her struggle there.
Spoiler
I'll let it slide that they're first cousins because it was acceptable back then. Another of my favorite couple was in "The Grand Sophy" and they were first cousins too. *sigh*But I can't resist! Hugo is so steadfast and reliable and the way he chose Anthea without much doubt is swoon worthy. I love how Anthea was thoroughly rude to him on their first meeting and Hugo took it in stride but he fell in love with her when she was unguarded. Anthea was a levelheaded heroine like most GH heroines are. I love that she told Hugo that he can choose anyone he wants, that he should consider other women because he didn't experience the world of courting so much. That is a legitimate belief because one would really think Hugo wasn't exposed so much that he would "settle" for his cousin, and people could legit think their marriage was a convenient one. But who cares? Not Hugo!
I love the way their proposal was built up. The reader knows why Hugo made up his fake fiance so that Anthea would stay unguarded and warm to him and that made them bond. It was hilarious how she found out, and romantic when Hugo finally confessed and eventually proposed to her. All this in the middle of the book!
It's one of those Heyers where the dialogue between the couple is "there", not simply narrated. There are so much interaction between them. Unlike in, say, Venetia, where the majority of the couple's interactions and the way they fell in love were implied, not shown through dialogue.
I feel sorry for the customs officer who had to be duped to save the family. I reckon he wasn't a bad guy as Richmond says he was. He seemed to me just a police officer doing his job - containing and possibly eradicating smuggling in the area. Alas, he has no power over a rich family, which was tragic really. But the rich family are the main characters so they get to win.
I'm sure GH wanted to comment on smuggling historically, but ended up brushing it off under the rug because of how her books were made to be structured. The publisher wanted a fun frolic romance. Yet Heyer wanted to be a serious historical novelist. I can understand her struggle there.