Some interesting ideas about the eduromg appeal of Mr Darcy and the influence of Pride and Prejudice on modern culture.
Some of the comparisons did not seem particularly credible - the links to Dracula felt a bot tenuous to me. But I really enjoyed the analysis of Darcy himself and the insights into modern fan fiction.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review

If I were able to give 3 1/2 stars I would. I liked this book, and that is not something I say very often in regards to non-fiction books- they're not my favorite type of book to read. I made an exception in this case because, I mean- Mr. Darcy! He is from my all time favorite book, so I figured I'd enjoy a book focused on him. For the most part this book does deliver, although I feel at times things go a little off track when delving into the play by play of plot/character of other books. Eventually the author sort of brings it back around to Darcy and how the whole chapter pertains to him, but in the intervening time I sort of forget that was the purpose. I will say that the line she draws from the archetype of Darcy through the heroes of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and even Dracula is fascinating, even though some people may disagree with it. Reading this book did make me want to go search out some of these works that I have not read, although I will admit to being a bit disappointed in the section involving Darcy fan fiction works. From the description of the book I was expecting a lot more focus on those works in the present day, and instead got a lot of emphasis on classic works of literature instead. Also, my favorite P&P variation author Abigail Reynolds didn't even get a mention. All in all I did like this, and it was an easy and enjoyable read.

I became a Janite in 1978.

At Temple University a professor told our class there were three courses we should not miss and I took them all. Toby Olshin's honors class on Jane Austen was one; it had a huge impact on me as a student and a reader.

In 1978 no one could foresee Jane Austen becoming universally recognized or Darcy taking precedence as our favorite literary romantic hero. Although Pride and Prejudice was early adapted for the stage, it took film to reach a wide audience. Darcy's various film portrayal have eclipsed Austen's original in the public mind. Darcy has become Colin Firth in a wet shirt or Mathew Mcfayden's soulful sensitivity.

In There's Something About Darcy Gabrielle Malcolm contends that Austen created a romantic hero archetype and traces his many manifestations and transformations over the centuries. It's a lot to cover, as she delves into every genre including romance and fanfiction!

I was engaged while reading about literary heroes before and after Darcy, including Rochester and Heathcliff.

I had seen many of the various film adaptations she discusses but was getting overwhelmed by the time she came to contemporary novels and spin-offs. I was overloaded. I have not read many of these books, and although she explains each book's plot and such, I was often reduced to skimming the text.

Malcolm has given me a lot to think about and I feel impelled to revisit the novel and the famous film versions with her interpretation in mind.

I was granted access to a free egalley by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

A fascinating look into the various roles that Mr. Darcy has evolved into over the literary years, There's Something About Darcy is an in depth study on the psychology of the brooding hero trope and the way its influenced readers and authors alike. A must read for fans of Jane Austen or Byronic heroes/heroines!

A special thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

** spoiler alert ** Despite the fact pride and prejudice would never make it in to my top ten books,I have quite a thing for reading spin offs/retellings/different pov of the famous story.
There were times in this book where I felt it needed more Darcy,but as a whole,it put context on the original story and it's author.
Comparing famous characters from literature,and somehow getting to Fifty shades of grey before I knew it.
I feel I've learnt something from this book.
I'm quite pleased it reminded me how much I liked Longbourn.... and it's given me a list of other books to work through!