The Unknown Ajax
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Book Description
One of best-known and most beloved historical novelists captures a whole new audience in a stunning repackage.
Product Description
Miles from anywhere, Darracott Place is presided over by irascible Lord Darracott. The recent drowning of his eldest son has done nothing to improve his temper. For now he must send for the unknown offspring of the uncle whom the family are never permitted to mention. Yet none of that beleaguered family are prepared for the arrival of the weaver's brat and heir apparent ... (20040315)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This one has always been one of my favourite Heyers, starting from the opening scene. The heir of old Lord Darracot has died on a solitary fishing trip and Lord Darracot's first reaction is: "Damn him! Damn him! DAMN HIM!". We are straight into the cantangerous heart of strained family relations.
The reason some Heyer readers have probably been dissappointed in this is that they have been looking for a traditional romance. Although this book has that, it takes second role in relation to the comedy of family behaviour. Never mawkish, Heyer plays with her cast of characters, recognising the fact that while relationships between family members can change, even rather suddenly, their characters do not...
This is one of Heyer's hero-led novels and there is a feeling that she sets out to counter her usual hero-types, as she does in The Foundling. And who could not love Hugh, our larger than life hero, the Ajax of the title. Hugh is in a way the male version of the irrepressible Sophy of the Grand Sophy and the antithesis of most Heyer heroes, blond, deceptively simple seeming and probably the least egocentric of all Heyer's men.
I love this book for Hugh, for his non-contrived relatioship with the clever Anthea, her cousin Vincent (One of THE usual Heyer-hero types, revealing some distictly unattractive traits...), for the whole Darracot family, in fact! For the pitch perfect comedy - the climax, as the Ajax takes the reigns of the family, is fantastic. For its intelligent observations on how shifts of power play havoc with extended family relations, cutting other members to size and allowing others openings they never imagined...
The reason some Heyer readers have probably been dissappointed in this is that they have been looking for a traditional romance. Although this book has that, it takes second role in relation to the comedy of family behaviour. Never mawkish, Heyer plays with her cast of characters, recognising the fact that while relationships between family members can change, even rather suddenly, their characters do not...
This is one of Heyer's hero-led novels and there is a feeling that she sets out to counter her usual hero-types, as she does in The Foundling. And who could not love Hugh, our larger than life hero, the Ajax of the title. Hugh is in a way the male version of the irrepressible Sophy of the Grand Sophy and the antithesis of most Heyer heroes, blond, deceptively simple seeming and probably the least egocentric of all Heyer's men.
I love this book for Hugh, for his non-contrived relatioship with the clever Anthea, her cousin Vincent (One of THE usual Heyer-hero types, revealing some distictly unattractive traits...), for the whole Darracot family, in fact! For the pitch perfect comedy - the climax, as the Ajax takes the reigns of the family, is fantastic. For its intelligent observations on how shifts of power play havoc with extended family relations, cutting other members to size and allowing others openings they never imagined...
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is one of my favorite of Heyer's book. I read it for the first time as a sophomore in highschool. I was up until past two a.m. as I couldn't put it down. The next day, my ribs ached from laughing. 24 years later it is still delightful. (I do wish I could read it again for the first time!)
Captain Hugo Darracott is heir to his estate, much to the unpleasant Lord Daracott's dismay. Son of Darracott's once favorite son, he is the child of a Yorkshire miller's daughter. Lord Darracott, deciding that Hugo needs to be "whipped into shape" assigns one family member, Claude, the would be leader of the dandy set, to address Hugo's broad Yorkshire speech. Lord Darracott also decides to have Hugo marry his penniless granddaughter Althea. Neither Hugo, nor Althea are delighted by this edict.
It doesn't take long for Althea to discover that Hugo isn't everything he seems. Add smuggling, a ghost, and an over-eager young Land Guard officer, and you have a delightful story.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Of course all of Heyer's stories are funny, which is one of their greatest charms, and what sets them apart from the many lesser writers of romance. This one is one of the funniest. It has even less in common with other inferior romances, because it doesn't have the usual cynical romantic hero and young ingenue for a heroine. This is no loss at all if you appreciate Heyer for what she does best - comedy, engaging characters, and excellent writing. Heyer does the hard-bitten hero very well of course, but it is nice to read about an unassuming, gentle hero for a change. As one other reviewer has pointed out - the usual hero figure is there all right - probably a more accurate portrait of what a cynical hero-figure would really be like. And you wouldn't want him! The Darracot family are thrown into disarray by the startling news that the rightful heir to the title is an unlettered, vulgar son of a 'common' weaver. They are gathered at their ancestral home, resentfully awaiting his arrival. Naturally, things are not quite as they seem, and far from being a disaster for the family, it seems like Hugo might be the one to save them from themselves. Anthea, the heroine, plays a lesser role in this story. But she is the typical lively, clever Heyer heroine, who is unnaccountably on the shelf - or almost. If you like Hugo, you will also like Gareth Ludlow (Sprig Muslin).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bookworm
Another of Georgette Heyer's standard stories. Nothing to object to but nothing to set the heather on fire either. Not bad.
Published 6 months ago by New Camper Pat
The best GH
The other 5 star reviews have said it all. This is far and away my favourite of GH's books - and I enjoy most of them. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Brunneria
Interesting to read
I found this 'Georgette Heyer' book a bit different to the others as it uses some interesting 'Midland or north UK' vocabulary and phrases. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ayra
Enjoyable Regency romp
Hugo Darracott discovers he is the heir to the irascible Lord Darracott or Darracott Place in Kent. There are many relatives he has never met, and who do not know him. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Damaskcat
The Unknown Ajax
I have re-visited Gerogett Heyer's books after many years. This time round I am just as delighted with them as I was as a teenager. Read more
Published 15 months ago by GillyB
The Unknown Ajax
Georgette Heyer does it again, with believable real life characters, in a very human situation. Hugo, heir to a vast estate due to the untimely death of uncle and cousin, is... Read more
Published 21 months ago by L M Durbin
Top of the trees.....
..to use the Regency vernacular. Georgette Heyer reaches the pinnacle of her skill with this book, and it's long been my favourite of them all. Read more
Published on 3 May 2010 by Elizabeth Gowers
a great read, a fun novel, oh and a tiny bit of romance also
"The Unknown Ajax" is another one of Heyer's books that has more in common with PG Wodehouse than with Jane Austen. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2009 by HedgingLulz
Bit boring
One of my least favourites books by Georgette Heyer.
Hugh, the "Weaver's brat" arrives at Darracott Place to take his place as heir. Read more
Hugh, the "Weaver's brat" arrives at Darracott Place to take his place as heir. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2008 by Publica
Among the finest Heyers
It is surprising that some readers don't think this is up there with the best of Heyer's regency novels, because the characters are wonderful and their claustraphobic family... Read more
Published on 31 July 2008 by J. Hood
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