I have nothing against Mr. Darcy, really. Like almost every woman out there, I enjoy the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle Pride and Prejudice 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.
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.
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.
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 They might have drinking problems or bad dental hygiene or rather outdated notions of what women should or should not do.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:
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!
Aw, now I’m blushing. 🙂
😀
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 🙂
Thanks, Alina!
Aww, that’s so sweet! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks, Kirsten. 🙂
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.
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. 😀
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.
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. 🙂
(And, perhaps, my impression of the book is tainted by the Gwyneth Paltrow movie I watched before ever I read the book.)
Previous experiences do taint things for me. I didn’t like Emma right away—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.
My favorite Austen is PERSUASION. I have always been a sucker for second chances.
I’ll have to procure a copy. 🙂
Love it!
Thanks. 🙂
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. 😀
*high five* We must be long-lost reading twins or something! My next favorite Heyer is Devil’s Cub. 😀
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?
I don’t know! With all of the popularity surrounding Austen remakes, they really should adapt Heyer’s works into screenplays.