Sunday, June 22, 2008

Me and Mr Darcy-Alexandra Potter



I have just finished reading this funny, romantic and feel-good novel and would highly recommend it to fellow lovers of Jane Austen's book "Pride and Prejudice". "Me and Mr Darcy" is like a modern day "Pride and Prejudice" story and i had alot of fun reading the novel and following the main character of the story Emily Albright through her search for her real "Mr Darcy".


The writer of the novel, Alexandra Potter did a great job exploring what happens when a 29-year-old bookstore manager, Emily and Jane Austen fan comes face to face with her Mr. Darcy. Emily, a 29 year old single woman has been on a series of bad dates. So many, in fact, that she has sworn off men. She'd rather curl up with "Pride and Prejudice" and step into a time where men were honourable and strode across fields in breeches, their damp shirts clinging to their chests. The men she meets are more into pleated trousers, two-timing and internet porn. After all no one can compete with her first love - Mr Darcy.


Around the same time her best friend Stella decides to head off for a girls weekend in Mexico filled with Margaritas and men and begs Emily to join her. Emily is not interested and to get out of saying yes impulsively books herself of a Jane Austen tour of England. What better way to enjoy her time then to spend it visiting the haunts of her favorite author with a group of like minded women? But when she signs up for for the trip, she finds love in the most unexpected ways.


On the tour bus, she meets Spike Hargreaves, a man who couldn’t be more dissimilar to her ideal man, Mr. Darcy. Spike is writing an article on Mr. Darcy, of Pride and Prejudice fame, examining why he’s the object of so many women’s affection. Spike has a lot to learn. Emily is disgusted at the Brit’s lack of manners, fashion or tact – she overhears him telling a friend that she’s dull and average looking – and tells him so on several occasions.


So when she encounters a dark and brooding fellow during a tour of Jane Austen’s home, she can’t believe her eyes. She has come face to face with the real Mr. Darcy! Suddenly her fantasy is reality, as she gets to know the brooding and handsome Mr. Darcy and the charming world in which he lives, which consists of moonlight horseback rides, poetry, and flowers. Unfortunately, it also includes an old-fashioned view on women and their role in society and a formality that Emily struggles to understand.


At the heart of the book, Emily must decide whether her fantasy is one that she really does want to live, or if her idealized view of men by way of Mr. Darcy is indeed too good to be true.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've just known about your blog yesterday while digging in Formidable Rivals.

This is such a nice blog. :P

I'm dying to read the novel that you've mentioned, but I found out that it was no where to be found here, in Vietnam. I'm so into Mr Darcy, like many girls

Janice said...

Dear tazo,

thanks for your comment and its good to know friends with the same interests :> i hope that you would be able to get the book soon in your country or you can buy it online at Amazon.com. Hope you would have fun reading the book!

Anonymous said...

Hi,

May i know where you buy the novel?

Thanks,Jesicca

Janice said...

Dear Jesicca,

i bought the book from Kinokuniya Orchard