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Rabia Gale

alchemical fantasy

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you can keep your Mr. Darcy

I have nothing against Mr. Darcy, really. Like almost every woman out there, I enjoy the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle Pride and Prejudiceย  but Mr. Darcy does not set my heart aflutter. I’m sure he and Elizabeth Bennet will deal very well together, but I don’t envy her good fortune. Sure, he’s rich and handsome and responsible and devoted–but perhaps a tad too boring?

No, I’d rather take a man of action, such as a dashing naval hero, like another one of Austen’s leading men: Persuasion’s Captain Wentworth.

I prefer the other adaptation of Persuasion, but this Captain Wentworth is handsomer. Yes, I'm shallow that way.
I prefer the other adaptation of Persuasion, but this Captain Wentworth is handsomer. Yes, I’m shallow that way.

Darcy inherited his wealth, but Wentworth, born with fewer prospects, earned it. And there’s just something adventurous about a man in uniform.

But a ship’s captain is bound to be away at sea for long periods of time, so perhaps one should look at self-made men in other professions. Such as North & South’s mill owner, Mr. Thornton.

Especially if he is played by Richard Armitage.

"North & South" is my favorite period drama. You should watch it. Even Richard Armitage thinks you should.
“North & South” is my favorite period drama. You should watch it. Even Richard Armitage thinks you should.

However, Mr. Thornton needs to be financially bailed out by heroine Margaret Hale at the end. Perhaps one should look at independently wealthy men again–and while we’re aiming high, how about a Duke?

Like, maybe the Duke of Salford, the titular character of Georgette Heyer’s Sylvester. Like Darcy, he is rich, well-born and insufferably proud, but he does have a great sense of humor. And the adventures he and heroine Phoebe Marlow have are laugh-out-loud funny.

Some handsome actor really needs to play Sylvester in a movie version.
Some handsome actor really needs to play Sylvester in a movie version.

However, one really doesn’t know about these literary heroes. They might have drinking problems or bad dental hygiene or rather outdated notions of what women should or should not do.

No, no. They may look good in paper and on screen, but what about the parts that were edited out? I’d rather choose a real good guy, one I can trust. Like this one:

REAL Handsome Guy with Adorable Kids
REAL Handsome Guy with Adorable Kids

Oh, wait! I already did!

To my White Knight, Chief Cheerleader, Tech Support Guy, Co-parent of three gorgeous, smart, and crazy kids, Fixer of Pipes and Broken Toys, Reacher of Objects on High Shelves, and Companion for Life–you’re the only romantic hero and leading man I want.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Filed Under: personal, reading, TV & film

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Comments

  1. David says

    February 14, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    Aw, now I’m blushing. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rabia says

      February 15, 2013 at 2:39 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  2. Alina Sayre says

    February 15, 2013 at 3:13 am

    Oh…so sweet, and such a good reminder in a day of rom-com craziness, Rabia. Thank you, and happy Valentine’s Day to you and your sweetie ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rabia says

      February 15, 2013 at 2:40 pm

      Thanks, Alina!

      Reply
  3. Kirsten says

    February 15, 2013 at 7:53 am

    Aww, that’s so sweet! Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Reply
    • Rabia says

      February 15, 2013 at 2:40 pm

      Thanks, Kirsten. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Sean the Bookonaut says

    February 15, 2013 at 6:27 pm

    Well played ma’am. I just went with chocolates. To be fair I did write my wife a love poem after she built me a sword stand for my birthday.

    Reply
    • Rabia says

      February 15, 2013 at 8:31 pm

      Chocolate always work. My husband made my Valentine’s Day by uttering the magic words “Cheesecake Factory.” We ate cheesecake while watching an episode of Sherlock. It was great. ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  5. Liana Mir says

    February 16, 2013 at 9:36 pm

    I love your comments on your hubby (and pics!). When it comes to Austen, I love Mr. Knightley from Emma with his sense of what’s fitting (in reality, not etiquette alone), his sense of justice and rightness, his willingness to do all he can to help others, and his no-nonsense consideration, etc. I just like him.

    Reply
    • Rabia says

      February 17, 2013 at 5:09 pm

      I didn’t really like Emma (as a character) so I never read the book after that first time. Maybe I’ll like better now. I should give it a try. ๐Ÿ™‚

      (And, perhaps, my impression of the book is tainted by the Gwyneth Paltrow movie I watched before ever I read the book.)

      Reply
      • Liana Mir says

        February 17, 2013 at 9:42 pm

        Previous experiences do taint things for me. I didn’t like Emma right awayโ€”she was as Austen herself said, unlikeable, snobbish, full of herself. But by the end of the story, I did like her and I definitely loved the book sooner than that. But it is just so much my cup of tea. Relationships and not even focused on the primary romance. I love romance that grows from real relationships and that hews so far from formula. In short, I love the novel of manners, but thus far, Emma, Black Blossom, and Jane Eyre most of all.

        Reply
        • Rabia says

          February 17, 2013 at 9:52 pm

          My favorite Austen is PERSUASION. I have always been a sucker for second chances.

          Reply
          • Liana Mir says

            February 17, 2013 at 10:03 pm

            I’ll have to procure a copy. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Lisa Ahn says

    February 17, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    Love it!

    Reply
    • Rabia says

      February 17, 2013 at 5:10 pm

      Thanks. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. Ellen Gregory says

    May 9, 2013 at 6:28 am

    OK, so I’ve scrolled back this far, and I have to comment AGAIN because a) Love Persuasion too, both movie versions and the book, b) Loved North and South with Richard Armitage, c) LOVE Georgette Heyer novels. Sylvester is awesome… currently listening to an audio of Friday’s Child in the car and recently finished Devil’s Cub (one of my favourites). I also love False Colours, the Masqueraders, Venetia… I could keep going. ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
    • Rabia says

      May 9, 2013 at 8:05 am

      *high five* We must be long-lost reading twins or something! My next favorite Heyer is Devil’s Cub. ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
      • Ellen Gregory says

        May 9, 2013 at 8:10 am

        HIGH FIVE!
        I keep thinking Devil’s Cub would make such a brilliant movie. Why don’t they make any of Heyer’s books into movies?

        Reply
        • Rabia says

          May 9, 2013 at 9:52 am

          I don’t know! With all of the popularity surrounding Austen remakes, they really should adapt Heyer’s works into screenplays.

          Reply

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