Tuesday 18 October 2011

Guest post and giveaway: Abigail Reynolds - Mr-Darcy's Undoing

Today I have Abigail Reynolds over for a guest post and she talks about Mr Darcy ;) There is also a giveaway at the end.


Why women love Mr. Darcy 

There’s no lack of reasons to love Mr. Darcy.  He’s handsome, wealthy, generous, honest to a fault, and he owns a beautiful estate.  What’s not to like?  But that doesn’t explain why generations of women have considered Mr. Darcy the perfect romantic hero.  There are other handsome, wealthy , honest and generous men in the world.  Why does this one man in particular hold such a fascination for women? To my mind it comes down to two things: his devotion to Elizabeth and his taste in choosing her.

Mr. Darcy is devoted to Elizabeth Bennet.  Once he falls in love with her, nothing can change  his affections – not her angry refusal of his proposal, not her family’s low connections, not his family’s disapprobation.  He loves her and he’ll always love her, no matter what.  That is the essence of Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy’s  loyalty and devotion aren’t limited to Elizabeth Bennet, which tells us that it is part of his character.  He’s devoted to his sister, his family, his friend Mr. Bingley’s happiness, his tenants’ well-being and his estate.  Jane Austen tells us that he gives offense wherever he goes, and there’s some evidence of that in his close friendship with Mr. Bingley whose good natured acceptance is well-known.  It’s an odd friendship from Darcy’s point of view, since Bingley wouldn’t be considered a particularly appropriate  candidate for a social connection.  Darcy is well above him in social station.  That always makes me wonder how many of Darcy’s social equals don’t care to spend time with him because of his tendency to give offense.  But what few friends Darcy makes, he keeps close to his heart, and we know the same will be true for his love for Elizabeth.  

Mr. Darcy doesn’t hold anything  back.  Disguise of every sort is his abhorrence.  Now, that can be a problem, since  his life would probably be easier if he’d learn to tell a few white lies, but in terms of his love for Elizabeth, it makes him more admirable.  We don’t worry about Darcy wondering if he could have done better for himself, or whether he has a hidden cruel streak or some grave character flaw.  If he did, he wouldn’t be able to hide it because he’s such a terrible liar.  We can trust his devotion for the same reason.  


Darcy’s choice of Elizabeth Bennet tells us a great deal about him.  In the normal course of affairs, we would expect a man of his stature to choose a fashionably languid lady with no opinions of her own.  Not Mr. Darcy, though – he chooses an unfashionably pert and energetic country girl.  Most importantly, he doesn’t fall in love with her for her beauty or her wit.   Austen tells us, “Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes.” [italics are mine].  Note that it isn’t actually her fine eyes or the beautiful expression in them, but that they render her face uncommonly intelligent.  What a dream man!  In a world where women are constantly pressured to measure up to unattainable beauty and told in many subtle ways that their appearance is the most important measure of their worth to men, here we find the exception to the rule.  Mr. Darcy loves Elizabeth because she’s smart!  It’s the fantasy of every girl who feels she doesn’t measure up in one way or another to cultural expectations – that there’s a man out there who will value her primarily for her mind.  

Mr. Darcy is a true dream man.  He loves Elizabeth for her intelligence rather than her beauty, he is truly devoted to her, and she can trust him to be honest and loyal.  It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s rich and handsome,  but it’s in the nature of his love for Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy proves himself a most extraordinary man.  


Thank you Abigail :=)

GIVEAWAY
1 copy of Mr. Darcy's Undoing

1. Open to US and Canada
2. Ends October 27
3. Just enter :)
Or tell me why you think Mr. Darcy is so loved



OUT NOW  Mr. Darcy's Undoing
A passionate new Pride and Prejudice variation explores the unthinkable-Elizabeth accepts the proposal of a childhood friend before she meets Darcy again. When their paths cross, the devastated Mr. Darcy must decide how far he'll go to win the woman he loves. How can a man who prides himself on his honor ask the woman he loves to do something scandalous? And how can Elizabeth accept a loveless marriage when Mr. Darcy holds the key to her heart? As they confront family opposition and the ill-will of scandal-mongers, will Elizabeth prove to be Mr. Darcy's undoing?




34 comments:

  1. Don't count me in as I am overseas! This sounds such a nice book.

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  2. sounds like anohter good JA retelling!

    (not an entry, my shelves are full!)

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  3. Not entering, but this was a fun post. Perhaps I'll try a JA variation one day.

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  4. Thank you I would love to win a copy of Mr Darcy's Undoing. Mr Darcy is a loved character because he accepts his lady love Elizabeth for who she is. Being rich and handsome of course helps.

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  5. Looks like a good read - To be loved so much is what we all want ....
    I am interested in the giveaway

    kayswederski@yahoo.com

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  6. What a great post! I think for me I love how Darcy is quiet and refined in demeanor yet his passion for Elizabeth has no bounds. It makes him a mysterious character in a way, one that few are privy to... Elizabeth is so lucky to know it.

    Thank you for the giveaway! I would love to read this one.

    muse_in_the_fog@hotmail.com

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  7. Not entering because I do not consider Mr Darcy the greatest romantic hero and the best thing since sliced bread; thanks for an interesting guest post, though!

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  8. Are you kidding me? It's because he is arrogant, rude, pig-headed and utterly gorgeous! And also, just like the post mentions, when stripped down to the core, he's a man who loves with everything that he is.

    Thanks for the guest post and giveaway!
    missie at theunreadreader.com

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  9. Great post! Mr. Darcy is my all time favorite book character, he is the perfect man. I would love a chance to win the book!

    annesbookgarden@gmail.com

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  10. Ana
    How can you! *gasps in horror*


    Missie,
    Lol, so true, so true. the best pig ever

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  11. I'd love to enter. You know it doesn't hurt Mr. Darcy's reputation to have all these gorgeous men playing his character in movies either. Lol.

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  12. Count me in! ^.^ I love a good giveaway with such a goregous man. Mhhmmm. I love Mr. Darcy because...well...because he is my dream man.

    carolerae4488@yahoo.com

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  13. Mr Darcy is a manly man. Arrogant and stubborn, but truly devoted... What's not to love?

    This sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the chance.
    tweezle(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Oh yea! You know you have me loving all these different stories about Darcy! So, you know after that post, I want it.
    books (dot) things (at) yahoo (Dot) com

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  15. I would love to read this! I think everyone loves Darcy because he's the guy you hate to love. He's arrogant but irresistible. Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  16. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

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  17. I'm not entering, but what a fabulous post - I'm one of those that just loves Darcy :)

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  18. Please count me in. I'd love to read it

    quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  19. Sounds wonderful! I just read Deception at Lyme; a Mr and Mrs Darcy Mystery and I'm in the mood for more of the HOT Mr. Darcy!

    florida982002[at]yahoo.com

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  20. Mystica
    It was :)


    Carrie
    I know that problem


    Aurian
    I hope you will! :D


    Jackleen
    Lol, aye it helps ;)


    Svea
    So true, he is just so very mysterious and she gets to see his real self still and who would not fall then....


    Anne
    :)


    Darlene
    Hihi, I had to put up those pics, gotta spice up the post.


    Carole
    Mmmm, he is so fine

    Twee
    Lol, exactly!


    Melissa
    I am glad to hear that, cos they sure wont stop any time soon.


    margaret
    Hate to love is the word


    Melissa
    Sometimes words can't explain it


    Kaye
    Ohhhh sounds fun :D Must check it out

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  21. Well you know me and my fascination with P&P variations. Count me in. Been scared to read one where Lizzy has another man, would be interested in seeing where Ms. Reynolds takes it. I like her stuff.

    To me Darcy and Roarke (J.D. Robb) are the ultimate romance heroes.

    lynettestwocents at gmail dot com

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  22. Ooooh, I get shivers just thinking about that story. I might just have to find me a copy if I don't win.

    Thanks ladies for the great post and the giveaway :)

    shellybrownwriter at gmail

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  23. I think we love Mr Darcy because he seems like such a hard character, but love for a woman cracked his shell of pride. We all want a man who softens just for us.

    kissyjensen at gmail dot com

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  24. Great guest post! No need to enter me in the giveaway -- I'm swimming in books -- but I have to say I enjoyed this since I'm *not* a huge Darcy fan! It was good to read a fan's thoughts as to why he's so appealing!

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  25. how could anyone not love Darcy? :)
    I do think his devotion, and his reserved attitude are a great blend. Also, he is willing to admit his faults and change for the better.
    Nice guest post ;) Mr. Darcy's Undoing sounds like a good one.

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  26. I love Darcy so much because he is very real. He makes mistakes, he isn't perfect and occasionally you want to smack him upside the head...or fall into his arms, because he is also sweet, protective, loyal and, not to mention, incredibly handsome. :)

    Thank you for the lovely post and giveaway!

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  27. Loved this post! She explained our love for Darcy so well! No need to enter me, as I've already read and enjoyed the book.

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  28. Lynette
    There Roarke is again, he makes me so intrigued. I need to read about him

    Shelly
    :) I hope you do


    Chris
    That is true :D


    Audra
    Hihi, and he sure has got plenty of those.

    Naida
    And that is a great quality to have

    Lieder
    We all want our own Mr Darcy :D


    Anna
    I sure liked it, and I always do womder how others feel

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  29. Sounds interesting.

    sweetheart8181@yahoo.com

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  30. I would love to be entered for this.

    kaylalovesandrew09@yahoo.com

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  31. Please enter me in the draw, and thanks for the giveaway!

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

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  32. What's not to love about Mr. Darcy? He is just the quintessential Mr. Right from every girl's childhood dream.

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