So yes, my copy of Pride and Prejudice is dogeared and well thumb, I could even say with much certainty that there is in fact more than one copy of the book in this house and all of them are in the same appalling condition but it is not from wanton disregard for the book it is in fact quite the opposite but from love and obsessive reading. I would love to say that I'm a great fan of Austen however as of yet I have ventured beyond the realms of Longbourn.
I'm of a cynical disposition or so I like to think however by choice of books may tell you otherwise. It would seem that there is at least one romantic novel out there for every woman this however tends to be most women's favourite. I find it surprising too that so many women fall hopeless in love for Mr Darcy and so I have heard this fictional character once topped a poll for sexiest man chosen by women. I would suppose that this would be that Mr Darcy's likeness is in the mind's eye of every reader. I guess most women love Darcy because he is dark, mysterious and smoldering at first but behind it all he is a sensitive, loving and loyal soul however he only let those he trusts and loves to see this gentle side it must be said that this genteel Darcy is exposed and developed by Elizabeth Bennet. Although it may elude most men what it is that women want in a man it is; one who will protect them from harm yet is not afraid or self conscious to reveal a romantic and soft side to them. Darcy is the archetype of this man, I'm not sure if the desire for this man has been ingrained in women since time began or was it Ms Austen who began this century long search by women for their Mr Darcy. I also believe that most women like to change a man not entirely but to have a influence on his personality, I'm not sure where this desire is born from.
I also believe that most women adore him as he is chivalrous and mannerly, traits that in modern day are rare in men, for me the cause of this deterioration in the behaviour of men is not television or the internet but rather feminism. Darcy loves Lizzy and he asks in return is her love nothing else, not once do they even kiss in this book yet still it is one of the best romances of all times.
Not only have a read Pride and Prejudice an innumerable number of times I have also read a myriad of other works by authors who must be said do not do Austen any favours. I have read a Pride and Prejudice in the point of view of Darcy. I have watched the 2005 and the BBC adaptions of the book. Here I am controversial as I prefer Matthew McFadden as Darcy instead of the much loved Colin Firth. Most recently I watched an ITV programme called Lost in Austen where a girl from the 21st century finds herself in the middle of her favourite novel however her presence there alters the book. I must say in all honesty this was even more horrendous than Darcy's point of view book. What they did to this timeless classic is criminal I understand that the premise of the series was that her being there changes the course of the book but the extend of which it is changed would have Ms Austen spinning her grave, it is unfair that they can just tear apart the fabric of her novel when Austen herself cannot even defend it.
I will always yearn to read more of the great of halls of Pemberley and Netherfields.
p.s I heart Mr Bingley
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