The Darcy Myth: Literary Heart-throbs, and the Monsters They Taught Us to Love

A scholarly look at how our contemporary love stories are actually terrifying. Covering cultural touchstones ranging from Normal People 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 it's 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? 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?

• Measures 13.5 x 20.3 x 1.6cm
  
• 240 page paperback