Book Review: Mr Darcy the Dancing Duck

My Auntie recently had a baby boy called Bailey. He’s the most damn cute thing, and that’s coming from someone who isn’t much into children and mothering. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking of a way to introduce the little boy to Pride and Prejudice as soon as possible. Now I have the perfect thing.

I’ve been meaning to post this blog for ages, but because of internet troubles (and work) I haven’t gotten around to it. These two books have sat on my desk as a reminder for a while now.

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Book preview and author Q&A: Mr Darcy by Alex Field

I stumbled across this gorgeous Mr Darcy book online while doing one of my regular trawls. Published in 2011, this book for young readers, written by Alex Field and illustrated by Peter Carnavas, is a gorgeous little hardback from New Frontier Publishing (ISBN:978-1921042836).

Pride and Prejudice in magazines – The Simple Things

I work in the magazine industry and, therefore, have a lot of love for anything with a glossy (and sometimes matte) cover that has something resembling photos and text inside. What I love more than magazines, however, is finding a Pride and Prejudice reference in them. This happened with the latest available copy of The Simple Things magazine, Issue 3 (at least the latest issue here in Australia. No really, I’ve searched and even emailed the available contact emails, and there is no sign of Issue 4 in Sydney).

And yes, this is my darling kitten (and one of my own simple things that makes life that much better, along with Merlot, Pride and Prejudice and, um, magazines).

As I opened Issue 3 after much hunting, I was well-rewarded with a Mr. Darcy reference on Page 19 in an interview with Cassandra Ellis.

Q&A: Fifty Shades of Mr Darcy author, Tessa Clayton

Many Janeites have heard of the upcoming Fifty Shades of Mr Darcy, a parody of Fifty Shades of Grey with Pride and Prejudice rolled in. I’m expecting steamy erotica with our favourite Pride and Prejudice couplings, and more than just brooding looks from Fitzwilliam.

Whether you’re a fan of Mills and Boon type books, have read the Christian Grey books, or remain primarily Pride and Prejudice fan, you’ll most likely find something that will get your tongues wagging from this novel. But is it going to get us hot under the cravats and bonnets? In this Q&A with the author, The Bennet Sisters takes a closer look at what we might be in for.

BOOK REVIEW: Jane bites back by Michael Thomas Ford

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is still alive today… as a vampire.” – Cover text on Jane Bites Back

I opened this book and thought I was going to hate everything about it. But despite not being a twihard, nor the biggest Pride and Prejudice and Zombies fan… this was surprisingly good. If you’re looking for something that will accurately portray a modern Jane Austen, or that is close sticking to vampire mythology, don’t look here. But, on the other hand, if you’re looking for a book with a half-decent plot, some literary name dropping (Byron, Bronte etc) and a heavy dose of romanticism, then this is for you.

Omid Djalili’s Pride and Racial Prejudice

If you want a giggle, you’ve come to the right place. From the Omid Djalili show a few years ago comes a sketch entitled “Pride and Racial Prejudice” a hilarious take on courtship, ethnicity and felafel.  It’s a light hearted chuckle at Jane Austen, manners and British sensibilities such as the stiff upper lip as well- so don’t take it too seriously.

Darcy Paper

Pride and Prejudice can be inspiring for many different reasons.  For Eva Whitney, a 24 year old living in New York City, it was Mr. Darcy who inspired her new original stationery line Darcy Paper– a combination of classic and quirky designs to suit almost every taste and occasion.  Seriously these invites, cards and so on are just way too cute- I can’t take my eyes off of them.

Question: When is Mr. Darcy like urine?

Answer: When you’re a mouse.

A very interesting study has recently taken place at the University of Liverpool where they got 450 mice and put them near different male and female urine samples.  The result?  They have found out that there is a certain chemical, or pheromone, found in male mouse urine that determines the preference of them to female mice over time, as in, it attracts them.  And the Open Source Journal ‘BMC biology’ researchers have named the substance (in what has been called a “bizarre homage”) ‘Darcin’ after Mr. Darcy himself, because of his power to draw in the women.  But what would our Mr. Darcy smell like?

Top things that (almost) ruin Pride and Prejudice

There aren’t many things that deter me from my favourite book.  In fact, I can honestly say that most allusions to it make me fall even more deeply in love with the piece.  But, occasionally, I come across something that puts me in physical (okay maybe mental/emotional/spiritual but oh well) pain.  I’ve collected a few of these examples to express my anguish and to ask you… am I overreacting?  Are these things actually bad, fantasy destroying ventures or am I losing my mind? 

10,000 pounds a year…

After sitting back with a steaming cup of orange pekoe tea (it’s from Sri Lanka, did you know?) and a file of Pride and Prejudice fan fiction on my computer, I soon got drawn in.  Lavish modern scenes were thrown around Mr. Darcy, as he swans from one high class restaurant to another, from the Ritz to the Hilton.  It was a great hour or two, and then I suddenly thought… in today’s monetary terms, how much would ‘10,000 pounds a year’ actually be?  We know that it is a considerable sum, but enough to spend most of your life on a yacht?  Enough to randomly buy Lizzy a Ferrari or some other type of over-priced car?