Dear Mr. Darcy,
Hello. Fond greetings from across the pond.
Shoot. I’m pretty sure I already screwed this up, seeing as how you’re early nineteenth century British gentry and my ancestors were ragtag rebellious Americans. Since you’re a relatively proud sort (don’t deny it, I’ve read the book) I’m assuming you wouldn’t want to be linked to an American lacking a title. Please disregard everything I’ve said thus far. My sincerest apologies, and I shall begin again.
Ahem, Dear Mr. Darcy,
I have been watching a wealth of Hallmark movies lately. Hallmark movies, you ask? We have these boxes called televisions that show us moving pictures. Some of these moving pictures are humorous, and some are suspenseful. Hallmark’s moving pictures are romantic. Well, some of them, anyway. It’s definitely hit and miss. Some of them make me roll my eyes so far up into my head that I spend a few moments fearing they might, as parents everywhere claim, be stuck there for all eternity. (You have most likely never rolled your eyes, I would wager. Not that I do a lot of wagering, just so we’re clear.) There are a rare few Hallmark movies that are delightful, however, and even two or three that have brought tears to my eyes.
I fear you may believe I’m rambling, but I do have a valid point to present. While watching one of these Hallmark movies this morning, I saw a commercial (paid advertisement during the moving picture) about a Darcy movie that would be showing soon. Not an actual Darcy movie featuring you, sir, although we do have several of those, one of which stars Colin Firth, who I incidentally find fairly delightful in his portrayal. I likewise appreciate Mr. Firth in Bridget Jones’s Diary, where he plays Mark Darcy (a clear play on you, in case that’s not already obvious).
Pride and Prejudice featuring Colin Firth…a classic.
My point is, seeing a commercial about yet another Darcy movie that is simply a retelling of your classic story made me wonder what it is about your story that we, a couple centuries later, find so appealing. When I gave it a good deal of thought, I’m not really sure it’s you at all. Now, bear with me a minute. I know that doesn’t seem a valid reason to send you this missive, so please hear me out.
I don’t mean to imply that you aren’t delightful. Some of the things you say to dear Lizzie are enough to make a girl swoon, to be certain. It’s not merely the fact that you’re wonderful, though. If you fell in love with Lydia rather than Lizzie, or with Lady Catherine’s perpetually ill daughter, your story wouldn’t be quite so irresistible. The thing that I find most appealing, upon reflection, is that…I’m Lizzie. Perhaps all of us who love seeing the Darcy name on something see a little of ourselves in Lizzie.
Now, I’m not saying if you supplanted me in the place of your dearest, loveliest Elizabeth that you would find me just as enthralling. What I’m saying is, if there was somehow a way to transport me back to nineteenth century England and the world of Pride and Prejudice, I’d get along pretty well. I can play the pianoforte, so I’ve got that going for me. I’m well read. I can do needlework, and I’ve already learned one foreign language, so I know I have that capability. And like your Elizabeth, I could do all those things and still speak my mind. So you see, a man like you would have no reason not to choose me in the same circumstances. Bonus points, because I don’t even have an embarrassing match-making mother!
Matthew Macfadyen made a pretty good Darcy too.
Truth be told, I know that entire notion is fairly ridiculous. If I were transported back to nineteenth century England, what are the odds that I’d find myself with any standing in your society? I’d probably be the unfortunate woman darning your socks or something. Or the woman in the kitchen boiling your potatoes. Even worse…the woman in some dungeon room without windows boiling your socks. Heaven forbid. But if I was the unfortunate woman on my hands and knees, scrubbing the dirt from your majestic estate, you’d notice me, right? Right?
I mean, I know I wouldn’t have makeup on, so I’d be pretty pasty pale. And without my hair products, my dishwater blonde hair might be pretty lifeless. Plus, I wouldn’t have any fancy dresses to draw your attention to me. You’d notice though, wouldn’t you?
Sigh. As you can probably tell, I’ve almost completely talked myself out of my argument. I hold firm to my statement, though, that this is part of the reason that I love a good Darcy story. If I were Elizabeth, I’m pretty sure you’d have no reasonable excuse not to like me. Ahem.
Now, if you’ll pardon me, I suddenly feel the urgent need to write a letter to Gilbert Blythe. (Canadian guy, wants to be a doctor…you don’t know him.)
Yours affectionately,
Wannabe Lizzies Everywhere
Hey, Inspy Romance readers! Happy, happy New Year and welcome to 2016. For some reason all that Darcy pondering got me thinking about my favorite romantic movie moments. Two of my favorites are from Darcy and Gilbert Blythe. In Pride and Prejudice, I love the scene where Darcy (Colin Firth) is simply smiling at Elizabeth while she turns the pages on his sister’s piano music. Sigh. In Anne of Greene Gables, I adore the scene where Gilbert gives Anne a standing ovation after her poetry recitation, even though he’s sitting next to Josie. So good.
Speaking of Gilbert, I read two books in 2015 that put me in mind of Gilbert Blythe. One was This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof, and one was The Fragrance of Geraniums by Alicia Ruggieri. If you haven’t read these, you’re missing out!
All the best!
Christina
Christina Coryell is the Amazon bestselling author of The Camdyn Series and the Girls of Wonder Lane series. A small-town girl from southwest Missouri, she earned her degrees in English and History from Drury University and does most of her writing with a couple kids climbing on her or loud guitars playing in the background. She thinks every great novel should be built on characters who feel real enough to pass them on the street, and that the best novels induce tears and laughter.
I enjoyed Terri Wilson’s book, Unleashing Mr. Darcy, so I’m looking forward to the movie on Hallmark. How exciting that must be to have your book optioned for film.
Mr. Darcy and Gilbert Blythe are both fantastic characters, I’ve watched different versions of them and read the books more than once!
One of my favourite Hallmark movies would be Janette Oke’s When Calls the Heart. Love the handsome Mountie!
When Calls the Heart is one of my favorites too, Lientjie.
I just loved this post. Makes me want to go write a letter to someone who doesn’t know me, who was before my time, who I would never run into anyway. I chuckled a few times. I must be one of the few, very few I guess, who doesn’t like Pride and Prejudice. Maybe I need to read it again. I was always partial to Jane Eyre. Thanks for the great post! I’m going to write a letter to Mr. Rochester. :)
I think I’m with Sally here. More of a Jane Eyre fan than P&P. But yes please, give me Gilbert Blythe any day!
I wonder what dear Mr. Darcy would think of all of us swooning over him 200 years later. Okay…I know he’s fictional but still….*sigh*. (Though personally I am partial to Mr. Knightley) And Gilbert Blythe…Wow.
I enjoy Hallmark movies, because I know there will always be a happy ending. “When Calls the Heart” is one of my fav series. Thanks for the laughter. :-)
I agree Jill! Very exciting. I know my daughter can’t wait to see the movie. :)
My daughter and I love watching When Calls the Heart. We haven’t taken to calling ourselves Hearties yet, but we do love Mountie Jack.
I admit, I don’t love the book P&P as much as the movies, but so many spinoffs have been made it seems like the entire world is obsessed with it! Jane Eyre is a great book, so I can get behind your letter to Mr. Rochester. :)
Gilbert is so wonderful…I break out that PBS series practically every year to watch it. Now my daughter loves it too, which makes me happy. :) I still tear up when Matthew asks for the puffed sleeves, every time.
How could anyone not like Mr. Knightley? I’m a bit partial to him, too, I don’t mind admitting it. :)
I love When Calls the Heart too, but I wasn’t very happy with the way they left it hanging. I’m glad it’s back!
I’m a huge P&P fan and am teaching it this semester… always a challenge, because my students don’t love it as much as I do!
There’s a challenge. Maybe you can get them to love it as much as you. :)
I’ve not….ahem….watched Pride and Prejudice so therefore I haven’t met Mr. Darcy! Nor have I had the pleasure (again) of meeting Gilbert. So embarrassing, I know! So uncultured…I’d be the one working my hands raw scrubbing said socks in some dark dank dungeon below-stairs! Only those of privileged families would have even a remote chance to meeting said gentlemen (sigh). And then how many other ladies would you have to beat out to be noticed? I’d be the shy one over in the corner somewhere at some ball, hoping for a mere glance from such a fine man. So, yes, I’d agree….I’d have no chance this side of heaven! But it’s nice to dream isn’t it?
Anywhoo…I enjoyed the post and found myself smiling & laughing more than once Christina! I’ll have to remedy watching those movies soon, you’ve ignited my curiosity :-)
Yes, Trixi. Definitely watch them. You won’t be disappointed. :)
Great post. I am an unabashed Austen fan. Cannot get enough of her characters, though especially partial to Lizzie and Darcy, of course. OH and I also love When Calls The Heart.
When Calls the Heart seems to be a runaway hit here. :)
I enjoyed your post! I also enjoyed Colin Firth in the movie of P and P!!
Thanks Linda! He was so great in that movie, it made me love him in practically everything I’ve seen since.
Great post! I’m a huge Mr. Darcy fan. You left me smiling. I need to find out more about this new movie.
That was great, Christina! I’m pretty sure, though, that after reading your letter, Darcy probably made some snide remark to Bingley. But then of course the picture you’d included of yourself fell out of the letter or envelope. And he commented on your fine eyes, right? :D Very fun! Loved your letter. Poor Darcy would be astonished, appalled, embarrassed, and a whole lot of other things at what women today think of him. :D
From Hallmark:
Saturday January 23rd 9/8c
Unleashing Mr. Darcy
Fishing for direction in life, Elizabeth gets the opportunity of showing her dog in a fancy New York dog show. The judge, Donovan Darcy, comes across as aristocratic and rude, and a chain of misunderstandings unfold during the competition, complicating their attraction to one another. Based on characters by Jane Austen. Stars Ryan Paevey, Cindy Busby and Frances Fisher.
:)
So funny, Sally! You got that spot on! And yes, I’m sure Darcy would not like all the attention that is paid to him nowadays. :)
Unleashing Mr. Darcy is going to be shown on the Hallmark Channel January 23!!! I can’t wait!!!
I love Darcy and Gilbert !!!
jennydtipton at gmail dot com
Who doesn’t love Darcy and Gil??? Great post! Thanks for the book recommendations!