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Finding Mr Darcy
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Unless, of course, he's gay. Or has a girlfriend. Or is neck deep in twice weekly psychoanalysis and entirely unfit for public interaction.
How does the modern heroine find her way in a dating world where the rules change faster than she can update her status on Facebook, and there's not a single Georgian ballroom, empire-line dress or pantalooned man in sight?
Intrepid former dater and award-winning journalist Amanda Hooton turns to the ageless wisdom of Jane Austen to solve the eternal dilemmas of romance: how to be as clever as Elizabeth Bennet, as dignified as Elinor Dashwood and as confident as Emma Woodhouse; how to avoid shagging Mr Wickham, marrying Mr Collins, or being dumped by Willoughby; and most important of all, how to find Mr Darcy, grapple him to your soul with hoops of steel, and become the part-owner of a country estate in Derbyshire.
If you've ever wondered why your love life doesn't more closely resemble a Jane Austen novel, this is the book for you. Charming, laugh-out-loud hilarious and entirely empathetic, Finding Mr Darcy is a witty, street smart and, above all, wise approach to modern dating, which proves that some things - especially the pursuit of love - really are timeless.
Unless, of course, he's gay. Or has a girlfriend. Or is neck deep in twice weekly psychoanalysis and entirely unfit for public interaction.
How does the modern heroine find her way in a dating world where the rules change faster than she can update her status on Facebook, and there's not a single Georgian ballroom, empire-line dress or pantalooned man in sight?
Intrepid former dater and award-winning journalist Amanda Hooton turns to the ageless wisdom of Jane Austen to solve the eternal dilemmas of romance: how to be as clever as Elizabeth Bennet, as dignified as Elinor Dashwood and as confident as Emma Woodhouse; how to avoid shagging Mr Wickham, marrying Mr Collins, or being dumped by Willoughby; and most important of all, how to find Mr Darcy, grapple him to your soul with hoops of steel, and become the part-owner of a country estate in Derbyshire.
If you've ever wondered why your love life doesn't more closely resemble a Jane Austen novel, this is the book for you. Charming, laugh-out-loud hilarious and entirely empathetic, Finding Mr Darcy is a witty, street smart and, above all, wise approach to modern dating, which proves that some things - especially the pursuit of love - really are timeless.
238 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2012
7 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 12, 2021
Most of the book were obvious tips, but to back it up with Jane Austen evidence is where the 4 stars really goes to, oh and the author's wit
December 15, 2012
The tagline for the book reads, ‘Jane Austen’s guide to dating for the modern girl’. So not only does this book appeal to the Austen fan/fangirl, it also appeals to the single Lizzy Bennet within us all who is still searching for her Mr Darcy (who, in my case, would preferably be the doppelgänger for a sopping wet Colin Firth).
If you’re a bit sceptical about the dating wisdom that this book is founded on (i.e. Jane Austen was writing in the nineteenth century, so how can she possibly be relevant to the modern dating world of the twenty-first century?), well fret-not dear reader, the author has sprinkled throughout the chapters numerous laugh-out-loud dating anecdotes about real people who are navigating relationships in the twenty-first century – many of whom have experienced success with Austen’s dating do’s and don’t's.
Amanda Hooton is such a talented wordsmith that reading Finding Mr Darcy, for me, was such an entertaining experience (my personal highlight was stumbling across the word ‘fuckwittage’ in reference to ‘Jane’s Five-Point Bastard Warning System’). Sometimes I think I personally forget to just simply enjoy the reading experience but Amanda’s witty turn-of-phrase and engaging style just drew me in and I devoured the book cover-to-cover without even realising it. This is one of the most entertaining and well-written books I’ve read this year!
Highly recommended!
To read my full review please visit: http://buggalugzbookblog.wordpress.co...
If you’re a bit sceptical about the dating wisdom that this book is founded on (i.e. Jane Austen was writing in the nineteenth century, so how can she possibly be relevant to the modern dating world of the twenty-first century?), well fret-not dear reader, the author has sprinkled throughout the chapters numerous laugh-out-loud dating anecdotes about real people who are navigating relationships in the twenty-first century – many of whom have experienced success with Austen’s dating do’s and don’t's.
Amanda Hooton is such a talented wordsmith that reading Finding Mr Darcy, for me, was such an entertaining experience (my personal highlight was stumbling across the word ‘fuckwittage’ in reference to ‘Jane’s Five-Point Bastard Warning System’). Sometimes I think I personally forget to just simply enjoy the reading experience but Amanda’s witty turn-of-phrase and engaging style just drew me in and I devoured the book cover-to-cover without even realising it. This is one of the most entertaining and well-written books I’ve read this year!
Highly recommended!
To read my full review please visit: http://buggalugzbookblog.wordpress.co...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2012
A fun, funny, lighthearted look at modern dating through the lens of Jane Austen's life and novels. Plenty of common-sense advice, and a particularly hilarious anecdote on why staying friends with your ex doesn't work.
Even if you're not an Austen fan, have already found your Darcy or have given up looking, Finding Mr Darcy is well worth a read.
Even if you're not an Austen fan, have already found your Darcy or have given up looking, Finding Mr Darcy is well worth a read.
February 23, 2024
I enjoyed this!
It was full of genuinely good, sound advice on dating, relationships and just finding happiness in life with or without a ‘Mr Darcy’. It’s wittily written, lots of funny personal anecdotes and stories…I’ve not read many of this style of book, I prefer fiction to self-help, but as the central core to this one is my all time favourite classic author Jane Austen, it made me enjoy it all-the-more. The character analyses when referring to real-life situations made it more understandable and relatable to me. Overall Amanda Hooten manages to cleverly deduce Austen’s moral being and subsequent dating advice from the characters in her novels and content of her personal correspondence and turn it into a guide to help the ‘Austen Heroine’ navigate finding happiness in the modern world!
It was full of genuinely good, sound advice on dating, relationships and just finding happiness in life with or without a ‘Mr Darcy’. It’s wittily written, lots of funny personal anecdotes and stories…I’ve not read many of this style of book, I prefer fiction to self-help, but as the central core to this one is my all time favourite classic author Jane Austen, it made me enjoy it all-the-more. The character analyses when referring to real-life situations made it more understandable and relatable to me. Overall Amanda Hooten manages to cleverly deduce Austen’s moral being and subsequent dating advice from the characters in her novels and content of her personal correspondence and turn it into a guide to help the ‘Austen Heroine’ navigate finding happiness in the modern world!
April 4, 2018
Oh my goodness..... I have never seen Jane Austen's amazing works of feminist literature interpreted so wrong, even taking the satire into account. There are parts of this book that are FUNNY, but as a whole I find it sets a terrible example of what Jane Austen stood for, and as a satirical book it should at least acknowledge the crazy forward ideas Jane wrote about.
October 22, 2021
If I could give it a zero I would
November 26, 2012
This book is a funny and light-hearted look at how to find (and date) a modern day Jane Austen hero. With plenty of examples from many of Jane’s novels, Amanda Hooten gives advice as to how to become more like a Jane heroine, how to find a Mr Darcy-esque hero and how to avoid falling into the clutches of villains like Wickham.
Reading this book is a bit like having a conversation with a friend – albeit a friend very well versed in all things Austen. Hooten isn’t afraid to tell it like it is even when it’s a little more direct than you may like to hear it. I really enjoyed the style. I found it a very fun read - peppered liberally with pop culture references and titbits of Jane’s work and life. There’s plenty of practical advice and real-life anecdotal evidence from the authors own life.
From Georgian dances to internet dating, Jane Austen’s rules for dating are timeless. I would recommend this book would appeal to fans of Jane’s who have found their Darcy or those who are still looking. And remember that above all, Jane would ask that you keep your wits about you, maintain your self-respect and, no matter what, always act with dignity.
Reading this book is a bit like having a conversation with a friend – albeit a friend very well versed in all things Austen. Hooten isn’t afraid to tell it like it is even when it’s a little more direct than you may like to hear it. I really enjoyed the style. I found it a very fun read - peppered liberally with pop culture references and titbits of Jane’s work and life. There’s plenty of practical advice and real-life anecdotal evidence from the authors own life.
From Georgian dances to internet dating, Jane Austen’s rules for dating are timeless. I would recommend this book would appeal to fans of Jane’s who have found their Darcy or those who are still looking. And remember that above all, Jane would ask that you keep your wits about you, maintain your self-respect and, no matter what, always act with dignity.
January 20, 2013
4.5 stars. Refreshing, well-written and entertaining.
My favourite line: "Well, first of all, nobody in Jane's novels is giving it away for free. Except Lydia Bennet, of course, who is just an incorrigible slapper, world without end, amen."
My favourite line: "Well, first of all, nobody in Jane's novels is giving it away for free. Except Lydia Bennet, of course, who is just an incorrigible slapper, world without end, amen."
May 27, 2016
This was a very well written guide on how to find Mr Darcy in the 21st century using Jane Austen's principles and rules.
Very clever, humorous book which brings yesteryear into today.
A good read for any lover of Jane Austen's books, with many references to beloved characters.
Very clever, humorous book which brings yesteryear into today.
A good read for any lover of Jane Austen's books, with many references to beloved characters.
February 12, 2013
Laugh out loud funny for single fans of Austen!
January 10, 2013
An excellent couple of days worth of distraction. The references to Austen novels really made it for me. Looking for my own Mr Darcy but completely happy being me in the meantime!
March 8, 2013
Fun Read.
February 5, 2013
Fantastic read- timeless dating advice that still holds true today, with the author drawing inspiration from popular classic literature titles. Laugh out loud humour, and a great holiday read!
February 10, 2013
Loved it!
I found it funny, yet informative; sensitive when necessary but still tell-all.
Big thumbs up!
I found it funny, yet informative; sensitive when necessary but still tell-all.
Big thumbs up!
May 12, 2016
Loved this!! Very funny but oh so true in a tongue-in-cheek way. Really helps if you are a Jane Austin devotee which I am. Very uplifting & positive read.
March 22, 2013
Cleverly written...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews