The author who developed Regency adventures into an ultra-cool phenomenon. She, who was responsible for converting all those people who despised ‘drippy romances’ into die-hard fans. She, who did away with sentimental hog-wash in her characters, and infused them with dry wit, subtle emotions and a good, healthy sense of The Art of Li(o)ving.
There are a good many writers who make you laugh out loud whenever you read a piece by them – but there are very few, whose lines make you gurgle with merriment even when you’re sitting at your office, tapping away at your computer or laying the table at home. It’s like having a bubble of enjoyment within you- something that’s yours alone. You don’t have to explain it to anyone. The worst part- if it can be called that- is that you’ll be pulled up for giggling by others around you- but heck, that’s a chance one can take. 
Its bad enough when you find your life one constant string of monotonous events- and GH (as she’s called lovingly) livens it up. Her heroines are good-natured, honest, intelligent (note that point), and aren’t afraid to cross swords with potential villians (quite unlike the usual fainty Ms. Wide-Eyes who swoons at the sight of Mr.Villain, trails along in diaphenous material all through the book, and speaks in whispery, fluttery tones) and they dress, eat, walk and talk intelligently.
The heroes are- to say the least- lip-smacking:-). Barring a few, most are not drop-dead gorgeous, but they’re subtle, sensitive, bored with the dumb-headed people they meet in real life…and they usually blink a little when they do meet our heroine- she’s so different from the other, swoony, eye-fluttering girls.
One other subtle touch with GH – she reiterates that those couples that are really happy are those who’re on the same level intellectually. One cannot stomach life with a partner one despises, dislikes, and treats with contempt, hein? (Remember ‘Pride and Prejudice’, when Mr. Bennet talks to his daughter Elizabeth, after Mr. Darcy has asked for her hand in marriage. ‘…Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger, my child’).
If you happen to like nothing but serious and ‘improving’ books, and end up with someone who loves nothing but drippy slush…well. Life can be…ahem, difficult. GH is very careful to bring together only those heroines and heroes who match well- on all counts (beauty and looks come last). Of course, you’re supposed to hitch up with someone who matches you in these things- but that’s er..a rather difficult proposition, to say the least, isn’t it? But GH makes up for all that in her books. Her couples are a delight to watch. They’re loving without being drippy, witty without being razor-sharp, and helpful without being mushy about it. Best of all, they have a ready sense of the ridiculuous- they appreciate life in all its beauty, without running off into long and sentimental speeches (and THAT’s a relief, let me tell you:-)).
And now…let’s go on to my all-time favourite book of GH – ‘The Foundling’.
PS: Note: I am now rehashing GH and Agatha Christie – which made me repost this piece from way, way old archives.
