Review: ...Think of England is absolutely full of stiff upper-lippyness and dastardly deeds.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 2, 2014
Review by Karen, posted at ScuttlebuttReviewsThis is not an unbiased review. I love KJ Charles’ writing; how she combines strong plotting, rounded characters, romance, sex with a healthy dose of humour, and playfulness.My anticipation was so high regarding Think of England; it seemed tailor-made: the Edwardian Era is one of my favorite historical periods, any book with a Jewish MC gets my vote, and I write poetry. When I started reading ‘grown-up’ books that weren’t for school, I read my Nan’s historical romances – mainly Georgette Heyer. As a counterpoint, my Dad thrust a H Rider Haggard compendium at me, and I loved it. The sexism, racism, and total brutishness of these adventures, although out of vogue now, are great fun (yes, yes, when read with a grain of salt).I read this book in one go, and it hit the mark perfectly.Archie Curtis, whose Uncle is Sir Henry Curtis from King Solomon’s mines, is on a mission to determine if the ‘accident’ that cost his fingers really was accidental. Arriving for a sojourn in an isolated country house he meets and takes a dislike to Daniel da Silva, a man who is almost a caricature of the effete, foreign campyness.Archie is a man living in a fog. Two years after his accident he exists, doing all the right things and friends with the right people. His instinctive dislike of Daniel is borne out of class, jingoism, and distinct aversion to someone so obviously homosexual.At this juncture, it all seems quite clear who is who, but that is how KJ is so clever. While Archie and Daniel are as they appear, they are also so much more. Then, as they begin to relate to each other, we do too.The other guests’ reactions to Daniel cause Archie to challenge his own preconceptions, not just personally, but poetically. The part of the book where these men start learning each other is terrific, and a tender counterpoint to all the derring action to follow. Daniel is a marvelous creation, and the image I have of him is an Aubrey Beardsley drawing bought to life, with a smattering of Oscar Wilde.The mystery/suspense element is such fun, and here the homage to the Edwardian adventure stories comes into its own. This book really has it all, evoking comparison to films like the “Lady Vanishes” and “The 39 Steps”, Think of England is absolutely full of stiff upper-lippyness and dastardly deeds.It looks like Archie and Daniel will be going on to some adventures after this, so I am looking forward to some more ripping fun.