Vaughan Wilkins (1890–1959)

It would probably help any reader of this fine historical romance to have at hand some reference to help guide a navigation through the intricacies of early Hanoverian relationships. However, even without one this is a polished novel by a writer who is not tied down by the complexities of the plot.
Its basis is the antipathy of George II and his wife Caroline for their elder son, Frederick, Prince of Wales and their favouring the odious William, Duke of Cumberland as a preferred heir to the Crown.
This reason for this antipathy remains unknown, but Wilkins, fine story-teller that he is, creates a rollicking tale of changeling babies and cuckolded monarchs alluded to by Sir Robert Walpole. Wilkins introduces the Court of Morocco into his story through the mysterious Shems-ed-Douha, wife of the Sultan and Javan Tierce , her chef-de-mission to England. It is through these two that a possible solution to the reason for the monarchs' hatred of their son is set out.
There is much roguery and evil plotting at George II's court that endangers Frederick and his pregnant wife, Augusta. But the unfortunate pair do produce a daughter and a succession through Frederick is achieved. Their next child was George, later George III.
Well researched, inventive, unflagging, Hogarthian atmosphere - a credit to Mr. Wilkins.… (más)

A [b:Treasure Island|295|Treasure Island|Robert Louis Stevenson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485248909s/295.jpg|3077988] ripoff, but instead of an island we land in a lost medieval settlement in south america. A fairly fun adventure story with pirates before the girl from 'Brave' shows up, but she's Welsh not Scottish.
Moments of humour, moments of surprising darkness but overall just a fun adventure story. Its set in 1826 but unfortunately from a social view feels like it was written then, rather than 1950.

While women fair moderately well, the book insists pointlessly on showing that the medieval europeans enslaved the local south americans and never suggests this as anything but a positive. The poor are shown to be little above the slaves and while it very occasionally makes a jab against the romanticizing of medieval life, its nowhere near as acerbic as the likes of a [b:Connecticut Yankee|162898|A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court|Mark Twain|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348239402s/162898.jpg|2621763]. The overall attitude very much pro-white and pro-rich.

On a sidenote i think the Long-John Silver-esque character is gay, just a thought but it added a little extra.
I probably should deduct a star due to its racism but it has likable characters and is i think still worth a 3, just.… (más)