Georgette Heyer Fans discussion
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The Unknown Ajax
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The Unknown Ajax - Oct 2014 Group Read - Chapters 1 to 10
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I've read it multiple times ... it's one of my favorite Heyers. I used to have a Jove paperback but now I've upgraded to a hardcover.
I marked it in my diary to re-read this week, but was ill last week and couldn't resist re-listening to the audiobook then (Heyer in audio is to me what chicken soup is to others). I've lost count of how often I've read it. I think it's one of Heyer's best, and I also love books set on or near Romney Marsh.
I read it a few years ago and thought it was just okay. That was early on in my GH fandom though and I'm hoping it'll grow on my this time.I'm also listening to it as an audiobook with DD (10 years old). It's DD's first GH. I feel like a proud mama explaining some of the terms to her. I hope she gets hooked.
Hj wrote: "I marked it in my diary to re-read this week, but was ill last week and couldn't resist re-listening to the audiobook then (Heyer in audio is to me what chicken soup is to others). I've lost count..."Hope you get feeling better.
I may have read this - a library copy - many years ago, it isn't one that I have in my paperback collection yet :( so I won't be able to join in the group read
Amy wrote: "Hj wrote: "I marked it in my diary to re-read this week, but was ill last week and couldn't resist re-listening to the audiobook then (Heyer in audio is to me what chicken soup is to others). Hope you get feeling better...."
Thank you! Still woking on that, so I'm listening to The Toll-Gate (another large, amiable, kind, humorous man).
Amy wrote: "Welcome back to group reading.Who's read The Unknown Ajax before?
Who's read it multiple times?
What format are you reading it in?"
I read lots of Heyer after I discovered her this year, but never this one and have been saving it for a treat. I will be reading on the Kindle alternating with listening to the audiobook on my iPod.
Like all my Heyer favorites (and this is my top favorite), I’m on my third paperback copy, having worn out the previous two. Each time I get a new copy, I go through comparing the last with the next and correcting any typos I find. This book has so inspired me that I’m writing a smuggling-themed historical novel (though set in a very different place, and not a romance).
I liked it the first time I read it, but over the years, with multiple readings it's grown on me considerably. I do love Hugo.
I think we have two Marys here! I'm Mary C., who discovered GH over fifty years ago. The Unknown Ajax is one of my favorites, but I've probably read it only twice. I envy anyone who has an audio copy!
Amy wrote: "Welcome back to group reading.Who's read The Unknown Ajax before?
Who's read it multiple times?
What format are you reading it in?"
I've read it multiple times... I may see if I can get the audiobook format this time.
I love how, for the first three chapters, we learn about Hugo only through the conversation and prejudices of his relations, and then the reader slowly gains a more accurate impression of him, while the rest of the Darracotts continue in their prejudice for varying periods of time, depending on their personality and perspicuity.
Abigail wrote: "I love how, for the first three chapters, we learn about Hugo only through the conversation and prejudices of his relations, and then the reader slowly gains a more accurate impression of him, whil..."Yes! I love how one of the first indications that all is not what it seems with Hugo is that the servants like and respect him.
A modern romance editor would probably never let a writer get away with waiting three whole chapters before introducing the male (or female) lead, which just goes to show how GH transcends them all.
Emily wrote: Yes! I love how one of the first indications that all is not what it seems with Hugo is that the servants like and respect him. And, meanwhile, the family (except Aunt Aurelia) fails to notice that his speech changed dramatically in the course of their first meeting.
Mary wrote: "I think we have two Marys here! I'm Mary C., who discovered GH over fifty years ago. The Unknown Ajax is one of my favorites, but I've probably read it only twice. I envy anyone who has an audio..."Hi there Mary I put the asterisks around my name as there was a Carol in another group I joined.
I'm back from my holiday & didn't find the Unknown Ajax on my travels. If I get to Ak next weekend I will borrow from my friend.
Hj wrote: "I marked it in my diary to re-read this week, but was ill last week and couldn't resist re-listening to the audiobook then (Heyer in audio is to me what chicken soup is to others). I've lost count..."The first Heyer I read (The Reluctant Widow) was brought home for me by my Mum because I was home sick, many years ago now, so feel the same way they're the perfect pick me up.
I've read The Unknown Ajax before, more than once but not as frequently as my most favourite so I'm looking forward to getting into it again. I too have opted for the audiobook this time.
Teresa wrote: "And, meanwhile, the family (except Aunt Aurelia) fails to notice that his speech changed dramatically in the course of their first meeting."Yes, Aunt Aurelia is a shrewd one. But Anthea suspected something, I think. I think it was when he talked of being transported (which was hilarious btw) when she laughs, or tries to stop herself from doing so. And they all call him a "complete hand" though most of them not knowing how right they are.
I just found my copy (a decades-old paperback that tends to shed pages as I turn them), and I'd like to go back briefly to the very beginning. Does the opening situation remind anyone of something more recent? The heir to a peerage and his son are drowned, and suddenly the new heir is someone no one in the family knows?
Mary wrote: "Does the opening situation remind anyone of something more recent? The heir to a peerage and his son are drowned, and suddenly the new heir is someone no one in the family knows? ..."?? Do tell!
Mary wrote: "I just found my copy (a decades-old paperback that tends to shed pages as I turn them), and I'd like to go back briefly to the very beginning. Does the opening situation remind anyone of something..."Downton Abbey? I've only watched the first episode but now that you mention it ... it does sound a bit familiar.
DD and I are now up to chapter three in our audiobook. It's slow going because we only listen when we are together. I'm having so much fun explaining things and introducing her to GH. Yay. She thinks Anthea is funny so far.
it IS just like the situation at Downton Abby, that's funny!
Well, we know which came first!!
Yep! The creators of Downton Abbey seem to have been influenced by quite a few earlier novelists! There's the family name, Crawley, and there's the situation of the entailed estate whose preeent holder has only daughters, one of whom may marry the unknown heir. Then there are those three daughters--the oldest a beautiful but rather selfish brunette; the second a less attractive, spiteful blonde; and the youngest a sweet, caring perssn who resembles her oldest sister physicaly but not in other ways. And Season One ends with a garden party being brought to an abrupt end by the news that the country is at war. (Think this side of the Atlantic for this one.)
There's so much I pick up on in second (*ahem* and sometimes third) readings. Claude is so silly and foppish but I really like him. Vincent is a complete bully. I detest his character.Since I know what's going to happen I'm also able to enjoy all the clever foreshadowing GH does in this book. Everything is so well laid out that when zany things start happening we instantly believe it. We are able to completely suspend disbelief and lose ourselves in the story because she implanted this suspicion in the back of our mind that the boat might be important, that there might be something hidden in the other wing of the house ...
I love her writing!
Amy wrote: "There's so much I pick up on in second (*ahem* and sometimes third) readings. ...Since I know what's going to happen I'm also able to enjoy all the clever foreshadowing GH does in this book. Everything is so well laid out that when zany things start happening we instantly believe it. ..."
I agree! I enjoy re-reading books generally for this reason, but Heyer's books are particularly good at it. Also, I can really enjoy the banter between the characters when I'm not feeling the need to find out what happens.
I've read this multiple times! Now have the Arrow edition as pictures & have noticed a couple of typos. I'm pretty sure that they weren't in other copies I've read.Forget Vincent - the grandfather is horrible! Bad tempered, nasty tongue, bad landlord - no redeeming features at all!
***Carol*** wrote: "I've read this multiple times! Now have the Arrow edition as pictures & have noticed a couple of typos. I'm pretty sure that they weren't in other copies I've read.Forget Vincent - the grandfather is horrible! Bad tempered, nasty tongue, bad landlord - no redeeming features at all! ..."
Isn't he? On my most recent re-listen I tried to spot anything good about him, and failed. I do think that Vincent could be redeemed, though.
I really dislike Vincent ... I did notice that Anthea mentioned to Hugo once that she and her cousins loved listening to her grandfather's stories as children. That makes me wonder if he used to be a nicer person. Maybe something happened? What could explain him being such a horrible person?
I would like to add my vote to disliking the grandfather more than Vincent. I agree that Vincent is redeemable. It seems to me jealousy is behind most of his bad behavior while Grandfather Darracourt is motivated by pride and power. It seems to me that Vincent also has some intelligence while from the way the estate has been run you might question whether the grandfather does.
Ellen wrote: "I would like to add my vote to disliking the grandfather more than Vincent. I agree that Vincent is redeemable. It seems to me jealousy is behind most of his bad behavior while Grandfather Darracou..."So true! The Grandfather is very 18 century - which you would expect from his age. Vincent is like a version of some of darker GH's heroes Lord Avon & Vidal spring to mind.
***Carol*** wrote: "Forget Vincent - the grandfather is horrible! Bad tempered, nasty tongue, bad landlord - no redeeming features at all! ..."Rather like Old Man Penhallow, in fact!
I was amused by Lord Darracott and his reign of terror.However, I admit he was too nasty to be likable.
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Who's read The Unknown Ajax before?
Who's read it multiple times?
What format are you reading it in?