Thursday, March 20, 2014

Mr. Darcy Likes It Wild by Beth Massey

I imagine I heard a few deep gasps of shock and astonishment as I typed this post title, and before I proceed further, let me declare that I decided two months ago not to write any more negative book reviews. I have only good things to say about Mr. Darcy Likes It Wild, though I remember shuddering with revulsion when I first became aware of Beth Massey's name, following the publication of Goodly Creatures, her first book, and learning its premise. Like many others, Jane Austen's characters were not the forum within which I wished to explore the issue of rape, no matter how vital the conversation.

With so much Austenesque available, I rarely read outside my favorite authors in the genre anymore. The great exception are the books I pick up for free on Kindle. I hesitated before downloading this book even under those circumstances, but as I was about to be traveling it was hard to turn down a free read when it was on offer, even when I knew I'd encounter just the sort of sex scenes that make me most uncomfortable. Still, I never cracked the Kindle edition until Tuesday, when being stuck inside with my daughter during spring break finally left me desperate enough to brave the book I'd been avoiding since December. My worst prophesies seemed almost immediately realized when Mr. Darcy became enamored by the sight of a young man's backside. Maybe it was astonishment - a bit of devious glee at the horror of some if my cohorts in the no-sex-in-Austen camp - but I didn't turn my tablet off.

Austen's heroines are in a constant state of restriction based upon their gender. Imagine if all the societal dictates and norms beneath which they toil could be flaunted forever, and the 19th century morality from which they derived proved ridiculous and cruel: that's what this "diversion" is all about. Mr. Bennet, weakened by illness and frightened for his family's future, insists that Elizabeth marry Mr. Collins. She does the only reasonable thing by dressing like a young man and hightailing it to London (I read the foreword to the book after finishing it and was pleased to see Ms. Massey's accrediting Georgette Heyer's The Corinthian as inspiration, as I was often reminded of it during the text), asking Mr. Darcy to loan her the money for passage to Nova Scotia. Horrified at what might become her on such a journey, he convinces her to journey to Pemberley with him instead. What unfolds is really utter nonsense, but much in Heyer's style it is diverting nonsense: coincidental encounters at inns, Bow Street Runners, and highwaymen included. The plot resembles something like Austen herself once outlined in jest, but the crux of the novel - the exposure of gendered hypocrisy - is poignant.

Much Austenesque focuses upon Mr. Darcy's transformation into a worthy hero for our heroine. Mr. Darcy Like It Wild takes this to new heights, bringing the gentleman to a place where he is more than willing to risk not only his familial relationships, but also his reputation in order to protect Elizabeth, who before the novel is over has been "compromised" a thousand times over (excepting the technical way). The gender norms and expectations of not only a Regency audience, but also the modern reader, are again and again called into question. While I'm not sure I'll ever look to Austenesque for political and social commentary, Ms. Massey's use of the genre as a vehicle for her message is really rather beautifully done. It stands out amongst most of my recent reading for it's originality.

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for the thoughtful and well-written review Alexa. But.. is this no-sex-in-Austen camp approve?

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    1. Hi Laurel Ann! Probably not. I hesitated at the end of the post on whether or not to make a recommendation. It's not for everybody, to be sure - more of a proceed at your own risk scenario. I felt the review needed to be written. Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. So surprised to see you review this, Alexa! And thank you for sharing your thoughts! I like how it sounds a bit Heyer-esque, but I'm not sure if it is my type of read.

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    2. Hey Meredith! I was seriously trepidatious about the book. It was not nearly as explicit as I thought it would be, based on the opening scene. It was mostly innuendo until after they got married, and then not much more than what I've come to expect from most writers in the genre. I was pleasantly surprised enough to write the review, rather astounded at myself, too!

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  3. Thank you for the review. I am pleased you enjoyed it and saw my intent. I write JAFF to teach myself how to write different styles. My main job is as caregiver to a triply disabled husband. 'Mr Darcy Likes it Wild' was my attempt to write comedy. I really needed humor at the time. I read all of Georgette Heyer to help me laugh, and I wanted to try her style. Billy Wilder inspired quite a few scenes as well as the title.. His 'Some Like it Hot' took its title from the nursery rhyme Pease Porridge Hot. Way too many people misunderstood.'Mr Darcy Likes it Hot' and concluded I was writing erotica. My attempt at erotica was 'Mr Darcy's Cottage of Earthly Delights.' Even though I warned it was sexually explicit, many still became irate. With Goodly Creatures my goal was to write social commentary. I personally think that is what Jane Austen wrote--think 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Mansfield Park.' My next JAFF is a mystery, but first I am writing a modern series that is not strictly Austenesque. Thank you again for this thoughtful review.

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