AUTHOR INTERVIEW: SUSAN MOORE ON THE DARCY LIST, MR DARCY AND THE PROBLEM WITH PERFECT MEN

 

"It is a truth universally acknowledged..." Or is it?

For generations, readers have fallen in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy and measured real-life suitors against Jane Austen's most famous hero. But what happens when the ideal we have cherished since our teenage years begins to collide with reality?

Today, I am delighted to welcome Susan Moore to My Jane Austen Book Club to discuss her new novel, The Darcy List, a witty and thought-provoking contemporary story inspired by a question many Janeites have secretly asked themselves: Did Jane Austen set the bar impossibly high?

At the centre of the novel is Florence Elliot, who at sixteen creates a list of everything the perfect man should be—a "Darcy List" inspired by her favourite literary hero. Years later, life, love, heartbreak, and unexpected opportunities force her to reconsider not only the list itself, but what she truly wants from a partner.

In the interview below, Susan reflects on the enduring appeal of Mr Darcy, the influence Jane Austen continues to have on modern readers, and the difference between loving the idea of someone and learning to embrace someone real.

Please join me in giving Susan a warm My Jane Austen Book Club welcome. 

Maria Grazia 💕

GUEST POST & EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT - FASCINATION & FALSEHOODS: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DARCY

 

Today we are delighted to welcome author Jayne Bamber to My Jane Austen Book Club as she celebrates the release of her newest Austen variation, Fascination & Falsehoods: The Importance of Being Darcy.

For readers who enjoy imaginative reimaginings of Pride and Prejudice, this novel offers a fascinating premise. In this story, Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are orphaned at a young age and raised by none other than Lady Catherine de Bourgh, while Fitzwilliam Darcy grows up under circumstances far removed from those we know in Austen's original novel. The result is a fresh take on beloved characters, family relationships, and the paths that ultimately lead to love.

What makes this variation especially intriguing is its homage not only to Jane Austen but also to Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. With witty dialogue, unexpected twists and familiar characters placed in entirely new circumstances, the story promises to delight readers who appreciate both Austen's timeless romance and Wilde's sparkling humour.

Today, the author is sharing an exclusive excerpt that introduces us to a young Elizabeth Bennet preparing for her first London season—and reveals the beginnings of her rather charming fascination with the name "Darcy."

We hope you enjoy this sneak peek into Fascination & Falsehoods: The Importance of Being Darcy. Be sure to let us know in the comments what you think of this inventive new twist on a beloved classic!

Maria Grazia 💕

THE CHERRY TREES OF ROSINGS, A NEW PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION. INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR MORGAN BLAKE.

Hello Maria Grazia and readers of My Jane Austen Book Club! I am happy to be here with you all today to share a little more about my latest Pride and Prejudice variation novel—The Cherry Trees of Rosings.

As you must have seen from the blurb, this book is a mashup of supernatural elements and comedy (with generous heartstring pulls along the way) to give you a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth love story that is both sweet and compelling. I hope the interview below will give you a deeper look at some of the inner workingsof the story (without any spoilers, of course). Please enjoy the read! 

Morgan Blake 

RETHINKING MR DARCY: IS HE REALLY THE ROMANTIC HERO WE LOVE?

 

Sebastian Faulks, in an essay marking Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary, offers a provocative re-reading of Pride and Prejudice — one that may challenge even the most ardent Mr Darcy admirers.

Faulks paints Darcy in stark terms: “mostly miserable” and, at times, “unforgivably cruel.” While modern adaptations have polished him into a brooding heartthrob, Austen’s own text is far more complicated. Faulks argues that Darcy is arrogant, socially tone-deaf, and even manipulative — especially in his treatment of Jane and Bingley. His famed proposal to Elizabeth, which many read as romantic tension, is framed by Faulks as a shocking display of class-conscious cruelty.

WHERE ARE TODAY'S MR DARCYS?

 

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Vanity Fair Italia published a delightful and thought-provoking piece by Alessandra Gonnella asking: Where are today’s Mr. Darcys?

Between London parks, dating apps, and Austen's timeless prose, the author reflects on whether the romantic ideals we cherish from Austen’s novels still have a place in our modern lives.

Here’s my English summary of the article, followed by the original (in Italian):

👉 Link to the original article on Vanity Fair Italia: Dove sono i Mr Darcy di oggi?

THWARTED, A NEW AUSTENESQUE DELIGHT BY MJ STRATTON. EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY.

 

Dear Janeites,

Prepare yourselves for a new journey into the heart of Regency England with MJ Stratton's latest release, Thwarted. If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if Mr. Darcy faced an insurmountable obstacle in his pursuit of love, this novel is sure to delight and intrigue you.

MJ Stratton, a devoted aficionado of all things Austen, brings us a fresh and imaginative tale that seamlessly intertwines the beloved world of Pride and Prejudice with a tantalizing new twist.

WITHOUT AFFECTION: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CAROLINE CARTIER & GIVEAWAY

Today, here at My Jane Austen Book Club,  we have a new guest,  Caroline Cartier, author of a brand new Pride and Prejudice Variation, “Without Affection.” Welcome, Caroline and thanks for finding the time to answer our questions.  Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your journey into the world of writing?

 Hi Maria! Thank you so much for letting me stop by your lovely blog! Let me see, what can I tell you about myself. I’m 43 and married with one daughter. I used to be a surgical coordinator, but I injured my spine during the pandemic and now I write books. 

MR DARCY'S BOOKSHOP, A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION BY SUMMER HANFORD. INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Today, here at My Jane Austen Book Club, we have the pleaatting with Summer Hanford, the brilliant mind behind the new Pride and Prejudice Variation, Mr. Darcy's Bookshop. Welcome, Summer! Could you start by telling us what inspired you to explore the idea of Fitzwilliam Darcy as a bookseller?sure of ch

Hi Maria Grazia! First, thank you so much for hosting me today. I’m very excited to be here at My Jane Austen Book Club. Thank you for putting together such a nice gathering place for the Austenesque community.

JANE AUSTEN'S LEADING MEN: BEST QUALITIES AND FLAWS

 

Jane Austen, often celebrated for her sharp wit and keen observations of human nature, was a master of creating compelling male characters who have left an indelible mark on literature and raised our expectations so dangerously high! In this post, I will delve into the world of Austen's male heroes from her various novels, highlighting their best qualities and, just as importantly, their flaws. These characters, including Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, Colonel Brandon, Edward Ferrars, Mr. Knightley, Henry Tilney, and Edmund Bertram, continue to captivate readers with their complexity and enduring charm. Scroll down, enjoy reading and let me know if you agree with or not in the comment section below if you wish. 

DOUBT NOT, COUSIN: A REGENCY SAGA OF LOVE AND INTRIGUE

 

Welcome, dear readers, to My Jane Austen Book Club! Today, we embark on a journey through the pages of a captivating new novel, Doubt Not, Cousin, written by the talented author Barry S. Richman. Filled with love, secrets, and the charm of England's Regency era, this book promises to delight all Austen enthusiasts. Join me as we delve into the depths of darkness and emerge into the light of happily ever after.

ALLOW ME TO TELL YOU: MONICA FAIRVIEW IS BACK WITH A NEW DARCY TALE! INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY

 

Welcome back, Monica, and thanks a lot for accepting this interview. Here’s my first question: what inspired you to write your new Pride and Prejudice variation, Allow Me to Tell You?  Was it something you read or saw?

The idea popped into my head one day when re-reading the section of Pride and Prejudice in Netherfield where Caroline Bingley praises Mr. Darcy for his letter-writing skills. I love this scene in the novel because Caroline is so transparent in her compliments. In a way, she is like Mr. Collins with his ‘little elegant compliments’!

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY: LARI O'DELL, MR DARCY'S PHOENIX

About the Book 

A phoenix brings them together. Will a curse keep them apart?

When the hauntingly beautiful song of a phoenix lures Elizabeth Bennet to the Netherfield gardens, she has a vision of an unknown gentleman. He whispers her name with such tenderness that she wonders if this man is her match. Unfortunately, her gift of prophecy has never been exactly reliable.

NEW! THE BARRISTER'S BRIDE BLOG TOUR: EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY

  

I'm so very happy to welcome Suzan Lauder back to My Jane Austen Book Club and to kick off  a new Blog Tour for her just released  Austen-inspired novel, The Barrister's Bride. Ready to discover more? Just scroll down and enjoy. Oh! And good luck in the giveaway contest! MG

AUTHOR GUEST POST & GIVEAWAY - THE REINTRODUCTION OF FITZWILLIAM DARCY

 

 

 

Greetings, fellow Austenians! I am absolutely chuffed to visit My Jane Austen Book Club again to talk about a new book! My upcoming release The Reintroduction of Fitzwilliam Darcy is my first standalone Austen variation, and I really hope you’ll like it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. 

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR DARCY

 

You may have heard the exciting news that Shannon Winslow has a new novel out called Fitzwilliam Darcy in His Own Words. But what you might not know is that I played an important role in the inception of the book! About a year ago, I sat down for a brief, informal interview with the famous literary hero himself, and then one thing led to another…

DANGEROUS MAGIC BY MONICA FAIRVIEW: COVER REVEAL DAY

 

Above a first glimpse of DANGEROUS MAGIC book cover. Promising, isn't it? Monica Fairviews' new Pride and Prejudice Variation will be released on 15th March 2021 and it's cover reveal day today!

Here's a special message from Monica to us all here at My Jane Austen Book Club. Scroll down, read through and, finally,  discover the beauty of the new book cover.  

Maria Grazia

FITZWILLIAM DARCY UNDONE BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY

 

What would Pride & Prejudice be like if Darcy and Elizabeth had a touch of magic in their lives?

 

Deleted Scene

 

This deleted scene starts with the familiar portion of the story where Caroline Bingley, desperate for Mr. Darcy’s attention, demands that Elizabeth walk about the room with her at Netherfield Park.

The stark contrast between the two became glaringly apparent the previous evening when he’d ignored Miss Bingley completely and read a book. With an abruptness, which startled everyone, she insisted Elizabeth parade about the room with her. In some small-minded way, she knew the only way his eyes would follow her was if Elizabeth remained tethered to her side. And they had. He’d unconsciously closed his book and watched them, appreciating how Elizabeth’s gown moved over her body, following every luscious line, caressing her skin like a lover. Upon noticing his attention, Miss Bingley immediately invited him to join them. Not trusting himself to stand so near his beloved, he’d politely declined and when Richard, the imp, interrupted his thoughts with a bawdy remark, he almost blurted out his affection but covered by saying the ladies had only but two motives for choosing to walk about and his joining them would only interfere.

A WILFUL MISUNDERSTANDING BLOG TOUR: DELETED SCENE & GIVEAWAY

What if it was love at first sight? In A Wilful Misunderstanding Amy D'Orazio imagines Mr Darcy in love with Elizabeth Bennet the moment he saw her at the assembly in Meryton and that, of course,  moves things forward in a slightly different manner.  

Read the deleted scene Amy wrote exclusively for My Jane Austen Book Club and have a look at the book blurb to get a taste of the atmosphere of this new romantic variation of Pride and Prejudice. Don't forget to leave a comment to take part in the giveaway contest and visit all the other blogs included in the tour to get more chances to win. Good luck, everyone!

CONFINED WITH MR DARCY - LET'S HELP THE JANE AUSTEN'S HOUSE MUSEUM!

Thank you, Maria Grazia, for having me today! I’m so excited about Confined with Mr. Darcy. It’s not often that I get to write something short and sweet, but this was my perfect opportunity—and I get to help Jane Austen House Museum’s Covid-19 Survival Appeal at the same time. So many small museums are hurting and may have to close for good. I wanted to help one of these museums, one that means a lot to me. I hope people will help me by purchasing Confined with Mr. Darcy on Kindle or paperback. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited, so if you try it out and like it, please consider purchasing your own copy for a future re-read. Let’s raise as much money as we can for Jane Austen House Museum!

REBELLION AT LONGBOURN BLOG TOUR - EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY

Join me in welcoming Victoria Kincaid back to My Jane Austen Book Club. She's here to celebrate her new release with an excerpt and the giveaway of an ebook copy.

Hello Maria Grazia and thank you for welcoming me back!  Readers’ reception of Rebellion at Longbourn has been very favorable so far, and I hope your readers will enjoy the excerpt below.  It takes place when Darcy visits Longbourn after a two-year absence. He has been away and only recently learned that Collins took possession of the estate.

“Oh yes!”  Charlotte’s expression softened as it always did when she discussed her son.  “His name is Robert, and he…” Mr. Darcy had unwittingly hit on the only subject that would make Charlotte Collins garrulous, but he seemed quite content to listen to her enumerate her son’s amazing achievements, among them: holding up his head, rolling over, smiling, and growing two teeth. 

As Charlotte spoke, Elizabeth suddenly realized Mr. Darcy was staring at her hands.  As the weather grew warmer, she had not troubled herself to don gloves after working in the kitchen.  But her bare hands were red and chafed, bearing callouses and blisters—the unmistakable signs of labor.  They were not the hands of a young lady.  Elizabeth flushed and fought the urge to hide her hands under the folds of her gown. 

There is nothing I might do now, she consoled herself.  He has noticed and is unlikely to forget.  The damage is done. 

Why should I care what he thinks of me anyway? He is wholly unconnected to me and my life.