Monica, it is a distinct pleasure to welcome you, once again, to Austenesque Reviews. I greatly enjoyed learning so much about you through our first interview, which occurred in October 2009. I am very excited and feel exceedingly fortunate to have this wonderful opportunity of interviewing you a second time!
Who is your favorite Jane Austen hero? Who is your favorite Jane Austen heroine? Why?
Mr. Darcy is the most memorable of her heroes because he’s the quintessential romantic hero: he’s the stand-offish ‘prince’ who ultimately falls in love with the poorer heroine. Jane Austen created the prototype here. He used to be my favorite, but the more I’ve read her novels, the more I’ve come to appreciate her more subtle heroes. I’m very fond of Henry Tilney, for one, because he has such a twinkle in his eye, and he’s willing to engage Catherine on her own terms.
I also love Captain Wentworth because no matter how bitter he is about Anne’s rejection, he never stops loving her. Now that is romantic! And in the recent production of Emma, Mr. Knightly comes into his own very nicely indeed.
As for the heroines, Elizabeth remains my favorite, though over time (again), I’ve realized she’s quite a lot more catty than she first appears. She tends to willfully misjudge people, and to persist in sticking to a mistaken view of things, much like Emma Woodhouse does. Anne Elliot in Persuasion is a close second, because she is down to earth, intelligent, and a complete contrast to her attention-grabbing father and sisters.
Why did you choose to write about Jane Austen’s characters? What is it about these characters that make them so appealing or inspiring to so many authors?
Jane Austen went her own way. She refused to give in to the (then) current fashion of creating overwrought “Romantic” figures. Because of this, there is an honesty and directness about her characters that makes them very recognizable to us even today. She strips them of their pretensions and reveals the human beings behind the social guise. I love this aspect of her writing.
What are some of the similarities and differences between your first Austenesque novel, The Other Mr. Darcy, and your newest one, The Darcy Cousins?
On a basic level, I think of The Other Mr. Darcy as a darker novel. There’s more of a psychological battle going on between the heroine and the hero. The Darcy Cousins is lighter and more youthful. In a way I think it’s closer to Jane Austen in spirit.
In The Darcy Cousins, your charming and honorable Mr. Gatley reminded me a little bit of Mr. Knightley from Emma. Were you thinking of him when you created this character or were the similarities unintentional?
I was deliberately trying to stay true to Jane Austen without producing another Darcy. I thought of him as an amalgam of different heroes. Sandy Welch’s production of Emma didn’t come out until a few months after I finished the novel, and in the past I generally found Mr. Knightley a little too distant and passionless for my taste. Jonny Lee Miller changed that. I can see now that Gatley and Mr. Knightly have something in common, but I didn’t at the time.
In both your novels you have introduced us to an attractive, romantic, and captivating hero. Both of which I love! Between Mr. Robert Darcy (The Other Mr. Darcy) and Mr. Gatley (The Darcy Cousins) who is your favorite and why?
That’s a thorny one. They’re so dissimilar. Mr. Darcy (Robert) is iconoclastic and he likes to shock others. He’s always questioning everything, and because of this, he manages to break down Caroline’s reserve. Mr. Gatley could never have done that. Still, there is something very appealing about Mr. Gatley. He has such a strong sense of responsibility and yet he’s able to laugh as well. He’s arrogant, but he always has time for the people around him. I’m fond of them both. I’d better leave it to my readers to decide.
I greatly enjoyed what you wrote for Anne de Bourgh in this novel, what prompted you to give her a few unknown secrets?
Anne is such a cipher I couldn’t help wondering what was behind the façade. Of course, Elizabeth Bennet is quite mean in the way she portrays her, because when she meets Anne she is so irritated with Mr. Darcy she would have liked him to marry a really awful person. She is gleefully critical of Anne: “I like her appearance,” said Elizabeth, struck with other ideas. “She looks sickly and cross—Yes, she will do for him very well. She will make him a very proper wife.” Of course, we can’t take the description seriously, as Elizabeth is clearly determined to make Anne look bad. I was fascinated with her silence, shawls, and Mrs. Jenkinson’s fussing, and I tried to work out how Anne had reached such a point. But it struck me, too, that Elizabeth’s description was exaggerated, since Anne is clearly well enough to drive out in a phaeton. Phaetons had no room for a coachman, so they were self-driven. They are also fashionable, though not quite as fashionable as the high-perch phaetons, which were the sports cars of the day. The choice of vehicle showed me Anne was more independent and daring than Elizabeth’s portrayal allows, and I’m sure Jane Austen picked it deliberately to show us Elizabeth’s willful blindness.
In this novel we meet two new American Darcy cousins, Clarissa and Frederick. What inspired you to create these new characters?
Frederick isn’t important in this novel (though I like him enough to want to give him his own book), but Clarissa is essential. The image I had in mind when I wrote the novel was Mr. Collins droning on in Church, a sleepy congregation, and Lady Catherine lording it over everyone. I imagined someone sweeping in like a breath of fresh air, slamming the door behind her and startling everybody. That person turned out to be Clarissa.
What are three words you would use to describe your book?
Humorous. Lively. Tender. I’m copying you, since you used two of them in your review, but I think they apply very well.
[Meredith: I’m so honored, you can use my words anytime, Monica!]
If a movie was made from your book, who would you cast as Georgiana, Clarissa, and Mr. Gatley?
I thought you’d never ask! This is where I can really let my fantasy run loose. I’d have to stick to British actors because it’s a period piece, though. I would love to see Jonny Lee Miller as Gatley (no surprise there, if you’ve read my review of Emma). Emma Watson would work well as Georgiana. Carey Mulligan might make a really fun Clarissa. She was Isabella Thorpe in Northanger Abbey (2007) and Kitty in Pride & Prejudice (2005).
[Meredith: I love all three! We cannot get enough of Carey Mulligan and Jonny Lee Miller in Austen adaptions, can we?]
Are you planning to pen any more Austenesque novels? *crosses fingers* Will they involve any more of the Darcy’s American relatives? Do you ever see yourself writing a sequel to another Jane Austen novel?
Clarissa needs to find romance, and her story hasn’t been told yet, so yes, I do have plans. I’d also like to write about Frederick, but it would probably need to be set in Boston, Mass, since he lives there. I would have liked to write a sequel to Sense and Sensibility, but Jane Odiwe beat me to it. There’s such a wealth of possibilities, really. At the moment, though, I’m working on a distinctly different project, so I’m taking a break from Regency England.
[Meredith: Yes! More of Frederick and Clarissa, please!]
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and best of luck with the new release of The Darcy Cousins!
Thank you for your support, and for inviting me here to join you.
You can enter the giveaway by commenting on this post with a question/comment for Monica Fairview OR a comment about which other Pride and Prejudice character you would most like to see an author pen a sequel for.
*To have your name entered twice, become a follower of my blog (if you are already a follower, please let me know)
**To have your name entered three times, post, sidebar, facebook, or tweet about this giveaway (please provide a link to let me know if you did this).
This contest will end April 19th. Thank you for entering and best of luck!!!
Please do not enter me in the giveaway, as I already have two copies (I think I got a little overly zealous when I was ordering). I just want to say how much I enjoyed the interview and how, as soon as I finally finish some books I am obliged to read, I will immediately be cracking the spine on one of my copies. They are sitting near me now, teasing me with that gorgeous cover.
I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, Alexa! Yes, the cover of The Darcy Cousins *is* gorgeous, isn’t it?
Meredith: I was so intent on answering the questions I didn’t emphasize how delighted I am to be back here on your blog. I feel a special affinity to Austensque Reviews since I was one of the first authors you interviewed when you first established the blog.
Don’t count me in!
I loved reading the interview, very good.
I like Mr. Darcy too, he’s indeed quite a romantic hero…but I like Mr.Knightley better. LOL!
I’d love to read a book about Kitty Bennet. Anyway, I love the premise of this one, and would love to win a copy!
I’m a follower of your blog.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/afewmorepages/status/11830055420
I really liked The Other Mr. Darcy, so I am excited about entering your contest! I follow your blog regularly.
Monica, I would really love it if you could take Robert and Caroline back to Boston at some point — just because I live down the road in N. Stonington, CT ;-), which is near Mystic.
So many characters — how do I choose!? My favourite men are Knightly, Wentworth and Darcy.
I really enjoyed The Other Mr. Darcy. It was the perfect book to curl up with before lights out. I’d like to read this one was well as I am an admirer of your writing style.
I really enjoyed The Other Mr. Darcy. It was the perfect book to curl up with before lights out. I’d like to read this one was well as I am an admirer of your writing style.
I’m glad to hear that Anne gets a spotlight in this novel. I’d love to read more about her and her mother.
I’m glad to hear that Anne gets a spotlight in this novel. I’d love to read more about her and her mother.
I would love to see a novel about Margaret Dashwood. 🙂
I subscribe to this blog…I hope that makes me a follower!
Oh, and although I live in Ireland, I have an American address.
Sounds like a fun book, and great interview, ladies!
Sign me up for the drawing: jagreensmith-at-yahoo-dot-com
And I’m already following…of course!
Yes, that counts Barbara!
I’d like a story on Jane, how her mind works to see everything so innocently and good, whilst the real circumstance are necessarily so. And her viewpoint of Lizzy’s antics and opinions.
I retweeted http://twitter.com/Austenprose/status/11845507176
I’m now a follower of the blog as well. Happy to have found this place!
Welcome Vegan Wheekers! Hope you come back and visit again!
Great interview Meredith! I am reading this book right now and am thoroughly enjoying it 🙂
Thank you osting this insightful (and enjoyable ) interview.
I not only follow your blog on Facebook (as “JASNA-NY”) but also “shared” this blog entry on JASNA-NY’s page as well as on the Jane Austen Society of North America – Greater New York’s Facebook Group page (as well as sent a link to all JASNA Board Members and Regional Coordinators — I’m the “Clippings” person for the Nationla organization. = )
No need to enter me, Meredith, as I have a copy of this lovely book on my nightstand now, waiting to be read. 🙂
Loved the interview! I always love hearing what inspires authors, how they get their ideas and who they think would be perfect to play their characters in a film. (Never enough Jonny Lee Miller, by the way).
Thank you, Meredith and Monica, for a delightful interview and best of luck to you, Monica, on your new book!
Great interview! I have been wanting to read “The Other Mr. Darcy” but I haven’t gotten to it yet…and the new one “The Darcy Cousins” sounds great as well!! Please sign me up!!
As far as ideas for a book, anything to carry on any Austen story would be great. I have read and ton, and have a ton more to read and I can’t seem to get enough!!
Oh! And I became a follower!!
I can’t enter the giveaway, sadly, since I live in India.
Just dropping by to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this interview 🙂
Great interview. I look forward to reading the book. As a Bostonian, my question for Monica is whether (having read she once lived in Boston) she envisions/reacalls any particular location here as suitable for a regency era setting? I always felt that Jane Aiken Hodge was equally at home with US and UK settings, probably because she had lived in both countries.
Great interview. I look forward to reading the book. As a Bostonian, my question for Monica is whether (having read she once lived in Boston) she envisions/reacalls any particular location here as suitable for a regency era setting? I always felt that Jane Aiken Hodge was equally at home with US and UK settings, probably because she had lived in both countries.
I adore Sense & Sensibility, but I would like to read about Margaret Dashwood and the possibility of an excellent love match for her. That would be too darling!
I’m a follower (love your blog >_<) And tweeted about this interview and giveaway: http://twitter.com/SweetLadyJess/status/11920636484
Thank you for this opportunity!
I finished reading The Other Mr. Darcy the other week and loved it! It’s great to read more about the author. Thank you Meredith and Monica!
Please include me in the giveaway, I’m a follower and have RTed the information on the interview and giveaway on my twitter account: http://twitter.com/NovembersAutumn
My email is: serenetopaz(at)gmail(dot)com
I’d love to be entered in the giveaway. I’ve posted a link to this interesting interview on my Facebook fanpage:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Conviction-A-Sequel-to-Jane-Austens-Pride-and-Prejudice/87047493260?ref=ts
I came back to read the comments and was delighted to see so many suggestions and positive feedback about the interview. What a warm welcome I’ve received here! Sweet Lady Jess and Barbara: I seem to recall that Margaret did have a story written about her (anyone remember this?) but yes, it’s definitely worth considering. Kitty Bennet, too, Katy. In fact, I was all poised to write the next novel after The Other Mr Darcy about her, when the first scene for the Darcy cousins popped into my head, and I decided to follow it.
CLM: I would love to say that Beacon Hill would make a good setting for regency style writing (it would certainly make a beautiful backdrop) but the fact is it was only in 1793 that the Puritan ban on theatre was actually lifted, and it took a lot of campaigning to do that. You’d have to date the novel later than the regency, since Beacon Hill was only established in the 1790s. Perhaps it would be best to set it in the period Henry James covered in The Bostonians. Still, it is known that the Bostonians of the early part of the century time danced Cotillions and country dances, so I am sure careful research would reveal a more lively scene than one would expect.
Thank you, Katherine, Julie Ergane and Mary Simonsen for the compliments about The Other Mr Darcy. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Muse in the Fog — happy to hear you’re enjoying The Darcy Cousins, and hope you get to read it soon, Lori.
Vegan Wheekers: there’s a novel by Fennella Miller called Miss Bennet and Mr Bingley which follows Jane’s point of view.
vvb32: yes, you’ll see quite a lot of Lady Catherine here, at least in the first part of the novel.
A wave to fellow Austenesque authors Skylar Burris and Mary Simonson, and to Kerry at JASNA.
I came back to read the comments and was delighted to see so many suggestions and positive feedback about the interview. What a warm welcome I’ve received here! Sweet Lady Jess and Barbara: I seem to recall that Margaret did have a story written about her (anyone remember this?) but yes, it’s definitely worth considering. Kitty Bennet, too, Katy. In fact, I was all poised to write the next novel after The Other Mr Darcy about her, when the first scene for the Darcy cousins popped into my head, and I decided to follow it.
CLM: I would love to say that Beacon Hill would make a good setting for regency style writing (it would certainly make a beautiful backdrop) but the fact is it was only in 1793 that the Puritan ban on theatre was actually lifted, and it took a lot of campaigning to do that. You’d have to date the novel later than the regency, since Beacon Hill was only established in the 1790s. Perhaps it would be best to set it in the period Henry James covered in The Bostonians. Still, it is known that the Bostonians of the early part of the century time danced Cotillions and country dances, so I am sure careful research would reveal a more lively scene than one would expect.
Thank you, Katherine, Julie Ergane and Mary Simonsen for the compliments about The Other Mr Darcy. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Muse in the Fog — happy to hear you’re enjoying The Darcy Cousins, and hope you get to read it soon, Lori.
Vegan Wheekers: there’s a novel by Fennella Miller called Miss Bennet and Mr Bingley which follows Jane’s point of view.
vvb32: yes, you’ll see quite a lot of Lady Catherine here, at least in the first part of the novel.
A wave to fellow Austenesque authors Skylar Burris and Mary Simonson, and to Kerry at JASNA.
In reference to Margaret Dashwood: Willoughby’s Return by Jane Odiwe is about her and also The Third Sister by Julia Barrett. I loved Willoughby’s Return and I highly recommend it!
Thanks to GoodReads, I just found your wonderful blog! I would love to win a copy of this book, it sounds FANTASTIC!!
I also just became a Follower.
And I tweeted about the contest here:
http://twitter.com/RandHrShipper1
Good luck everyone!
Whoops! I forgot to say which P&P chracter I would like Ms. Fairview to write about. It would be Kitty Bennet. She seemed to be turning into a sensible chracter near the end, so seeing what was in store for her would be so much fun!
I’ve been following your blog for some time now but I don’t use blogger. However, you can identify your blog in my blogroll here: http://nicolekdot.wordpress.com and I am an avid reader of what you post!
I would like to read what happens to Margaret Dashwood; although some of it was already covered in Odiwe’s version. I would still like to know what happens to Margaret (:
I tweeted! ih8tweet
Thank you for your kind words, Nicole! Good luck in the giveaway!
I would love to hear Darcy’s sister’s story – Georgiana. I feel like she’s a character that we don’t get a real sense of in Pride & Prejudice, but whose life could be an interesting one!
I’m a follower of your blog and I tweeted! http://twitter.com/The_BookishType
Thanks!
Thank you all for your suggestions so far. Bookish Type, Georgiana’s the center of The Darcy Cousins, so I hope you enjoy it. RandHrShipper — a good idea to look at Kitty, and thanks for the compliment. Hi Nicole — Margaret Dashwood is an appealing character, isn’t she?
Great to meet you all over here.
What a great interview! I loved the way you explained your characters and the thought process behind choosing them and why you liked them. Elizabeth is my favorite as well ~ despite her faults, she is the one I find I would most want to spend time with. I also agree that the thing that I love about Austen’s characters is that they are real – not overly dramatic – not idealized – just people that we can relate to. I think that’s why her books have continued to speak to people for so long.
I would love to be entered in the contest and became a follower.