The Darcy Myth

The Darcy Myth Jane Austen, Literary Heartthrobs, and the Monsters They Taught Us to Love

Paperback (08 Nov 2023)

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Publisher's Synopsis

Covering cultural touchstones ranging from Twilight to Taylor Swift and from Lord Byron to The Bachelor, The Darcy Myth is a book for anyone who loves thinking deeply about literature and culture-whether they love Jane Austen or not. You already know Mr. Darcy-at least you think you do! The brooding, rude, standoffish romantic hero of Pride and Prejudice, Darcy initially insults and ignores the witty heroine, but eventually succumbs to her charms. It's a classic enemies-to-lovers plot, and one that has profoundly influenced our cultural ideas about courtship. But what if this classic isn't just a grand romance, but a horror novel about how scary love and marriage can be for women? In The Darcy Myth, literature scholar Rachel Feder unpacks Austen's Gothic influences and how they've led us to a romantic ideal that's halfway to being a monster story. Why is our culture so obsessed with cruel, indifferent romantic heroes (and sometimes heroines)? How much of that is Darcy's fault? And, now that we know, what do we do about it?

About the Publisher

Quirk Books

Quirk Books is an independent book publisher based in Philadelphia. Founded in 2002, Quirk Books publishes 25 strikingly unconventional books every year. Our bestsellers include the pop culture phenomenons Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. We also publish award-winning cookbooks, craft books, children's books, and nonfiction on a wide range of subjects.

Book information

ISBN: 9781683693574
Publisher: Quirk Books
Imprint: Quirk Books
Pub date:
DEWEY: 823.7
DEWEY edition: 23/eng/20230315
Language: English
Number of pages: 240
Weight: 300g
Height: 135mm
Width: 203mm
Spine width: 16mm