Happy Monday, readers! I’m so excited to start my week of with a visit from a new-to-me Austenesque author, Julie Cooper! Julie’s debut novel with Quills and Quartos sounds fascinating! What different circumstances she places both Elizabeth and Darcy in! I cannot wait to see how it all plays out! Julie is here to share a post about one of Elizabeth’s unique talents in her story The Perfect Gentleman! We hope you enjoy!
In The Perfect Gentleman, Elizabeth Bennet might have been trapped by her circumstances—
abandoned by her gentleman father, with only her mother, a demimonde (a woman supported by wealthy lovers) as her parental example. Yet, Lizzy is not only intelligent enough to see through the false glamour of her mother’s life, but has the talent and ambition to make something greater of her own.
While still young, she is exposed to modelling, or sculpting, and this awakens her artistic soul. Her education is mostly self-taught, but she is certain of her raw talent. Her goals are admirable and worthy; however, she is well aware that professional training is required to achieve them, and she isn’t afraid to take risks to acquire that training. In fact, it is her willingness to throw herself into any situation that leads Mr Darcy to this conclusion:
He observed the play of expressions upon her face as she spoke, and he had his answer regarding what kind of woman would put her entire life on hold, foregoing creature comforts, for a school girl’s indiscretion. It was the kind of managing female whose current life offered not nearly enough challenge for the sly, intricate workings of her mind. She ought to have been born a man, able to lead governments or better still, military campaigns.
Face the truth, Darcy. You are devilish glad she was not born a man.
(Excerpt, The Perfect Gentleman by Julie Cooper.)
Enter Emilio Benenati, the art master hired by Mr Darcy to help her realise her dreams. As an author, I felt it important to establish his background expertise, and so I chose three contemporary influences for him:
Joseph Nollekens, Francesco Bartolozzi, and Joseph Wilton.
Wilton and Bartolozzi were founding members of the Royal Academy of Arts, established by King George III. The king’s motive in founding the Academy was, at its heart, to establish England as a centre of artistic excellence and good taste, by professionalizing artists and increasing the opportunities for contemporary exhibitions. Being closely aligned with these founding artists would have guaranteed a certain reputation and well-heeled patrons to any artist with talent.
Bartolozzi was an Italian engraver, and so of course was the Italian Benenati’s entrée into the English art scene.
~~~
Joseph Wilton, a marble sculptor, was incredibly talented in realistic portrait marbles. He was appointed Keeper of the Royal Academy, a post he kept until his death in 1803, and I envisioned him as the one who would have recommended Benenati to Fitzwilliam Darcy’s contact in the art world.
Joseph Nollekens, born in 1737, was the son of a Flemish painter. In 1770 he set himself up as a maker of busts and monuments at Number 9, Mortimer Street in London, and eventually became one of the most fashionable portrait sculptors in Britain; King George III was his patron. While he was fastidious with his modelling, his marble versions were all created by assistants, and I imagined that Emilio Benenati might well have been one of them, helping him achieve the carving skills he could later pass along to Elizabeth Bennet.
With close associations to these established artists of the Georgian world, the fictional Emilio Benenati was perfectly placed to become Elizabeth Bennet’s mentor and teacher in the Pride and Prejudice variation, Julie Cooper’s The Perfect Gentleman!
Wonderful, Julie! Thank you for sharing! I love the idea of Lizzy having some raw artistic talent with sculpting! I’ve seen Lizzy have musical talent before, but I don’t think I’ve read a story where she sculpts. Sounds like Emilio Benenati (really love that name, btw) will be an interesting original character in your story – can’t wait to meet him!
What do you think, friends? Have you read The Perfect Gentleman yet?
Are you planning to?
~~~
~ About Julie ~
Julie Cooper, a California native, lives with her Mr Darcy (without the arrogance or the Pemberley) of nearly forty years, two dogs (one intelligent, one goofball), and Kevin the Cat (smarter than all of them.) They have four children and three grandchildren, all of whom are brilliant and adorable, with the pictures to prove it. She works as an executive at a gift basket company and her tombstone will read, “Have your Christmas gifts delivered at least four days before the 25th.” Her hobbies are reading, giving other people good advice, and wondering why no one follows it.
~ Book Description ~
Tis no secret that Lizzy Bennet has dreams. Uniquely talented, as the daughter of a mother with a certain reputation, Lizzy knows she must make her own way in a world that shuns her.
Fitzwilliam Darcy carries the stains to his family’s honour upon his soul, and only by holding himself to the strictest standards has he reclaimed his place in society. If his fifteen-year-old sister cannot be found quickly, scandal may destroy years of perfect behaviour.
Darcy has Secrets.
Lizzy has Clues.
Lizzy is willing to join the pursuit to get what she wants; Darcy is willing to trust her to get what he needs.
Until the search for Georgiana reveals more than either expected to find.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
The lovely people at Quills and Quartos are offering a generous giveaway of a $50 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky reader who comments on any of the blogs participating in this tour! (Each blog you comment on counts as one entry!)
To enter this giveaway leave a question, comment, or some love for Julie below.
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends November 13th.
*~*
Follow Julie’s Tour!
Our sincere thanks to Julie, Christina Boyd, and the lovely people of Quills and Quartos for setting up this tour and asking us to participate. ☺️
That’s fascinating research too. Thanks for sharing. Who says you can’t learn from fiction!?
Thanks, Meredith, for supporting debut authors and the Austen community as you do.
I’m with Christina here – thank you so much Meredith for hosting!!
I love when fiction is blended with history. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you darcybennett!
Congratulations on your first published book, Julie! I have followed your online stories and loved them all. The Perfect Gentleman is an amazing book! I had a wonderful time reading it and really can’t decide who is more dear to me in this story, Darcy or Lizzy, because they are so well written and developed! A must read!
You are very appreciated Daniela! I’m so happy you enjoyed!
I love a Lizzy who has her own ambitions and talents … and I love a Darcy who happily lets her pursue them. I can’t wait to read this one!
Thanks Heather!
I love that Darcy is helping Elizabeth to improve her talent, and that he sees her as the one person able to help him?
Those sculptures are truly magnificent, such incredible artists!
Always love me a helpful Darcy! Thanks for your support, Glynis!
Julie, you always give your characters far-reaching character arcs and the changes Elizabeth goes through to realise her abilities as a sculptor are great fun to read. Huge congrats on your publication. I hope it’s the first of many!
Thanks very much for the encouragement Jessie!
I enjoyed Julie’s work when I was able to read them on AHA and was delighted when I heard she was going to publish. I look forward to adding her stories to my collection and this one sounds intriguing. Congrats on your first publication, Julie.
Thank you very much Brenda! So delighted to hear from you!
I remember reading this story on one of the forums. Loved it then and I can’t wait to re-read in its finished form. congratulations!
Thanks so much Jen!
Great post, I love the research you’ve put into this. Congratulations on publishing!
Thank you so very much Anniina!
If I haven’t said it before, Congratulations Julie! I loved that little excerpt and had to laugh at the last line, “Face the truth, Darcy. You are devilish glad she was not born a man.” I also love when history is beautifully intertwined in a story. Thank you.
Thank you so much Carole! Best to you!
I have read this wonderful book and appreciated the background of this post. Loved the excerpt and thank you for the giveaway.
I’m so happy you enjoyed! Thanks!
I just finished reading this book and give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up! In fact, I wish I had more thumbs to point upward in appreciation of it. I’m so glad that Julie has published this wonderful story.
Aw, Jan, such a sweet comment. Thank you!
Wondering where Elizabeth has got her clues from
Lizzy is very resourceful, and accustomed to checking out the people in her mother’s life. She’s the right woman for the job!
I’m dying to read this and hoping it will also come to Audible! Sounds fantastic.
Hi Sara – It will definitely be coming to Audible. British voice actress Lillian Rachel will be reading it. I’ve heard the previews and she does a fantastic job! Save me a credit!! 🙂
Of course! I’m hoarding them for all the new Q&Q books coming to Audible! 🙂 I have to listen more than read these days (commute) so Audible is my saving grace!
Research is one of my favorite parts during writing. And it opens so many new possible paths!
Thank you, ladies, both for the giveaway but also for introducing me this beautiful sculpture–Faith– commissioned for such a sad, sad reason. Still, what a great work of art!
It is a heartbreaking work, isn’t it? That’s my favorite part too, Alexandra!
I recently read this book and enjoyed it very much. Very well written, Julie. I made sure to give my review on Amazon!
Tamara, I SO much appreciate the review on Amazon. Thanks hugely!
Wow, such impressive research!! And such a very different background for Elizabeth!! I am so intrigued and have already added The Perfect Gentleman to my “Want to Read” list on Goodreads.
Thanks for this wonderful post and most generous giveaway!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Thank you Susanne, and good luck!!
Very original premise! I look forward to reading this one. 🙂
I so much hope you are able to do so, Pam! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m so excited to see you publishing your wonderful stories! Congratulations on your first.
Thank you so much Cynthia! Your support is much appreciated.
This is a lovely story. I was originally skeptical at the premise but you more than made it work compellingly. BTW A certain husband of mine was none too pleased at how far into the night I stayed up reading this unput-downable book.
You could not have left a greater compliment! Thank you!
This foray into the art world sounds amazing.
Thank you Mary, for leaving a comment!
I love that Lizzy is an artist with such talent. I know little about sculpting so the post was interesting and informative. Look forward to reading this one, thanks!
I am not artistic – I had to watch youtube videos far into the night about how to make clay the old-fashioned way, and read a whole lot about sculpting and sculptors and sculptures of the time. But it was fun. Thank you Sophia Rose!
Wonderful post. I am looking forward to reading this unique variation!!
Thank you BeckyC!
I think a book where Lizzy gets to showcase her intelligence and talent more is always a good thing! We all know she is smart but now we will get to “see” more of it in this book. So excited for this to come out soon!
It’s available now on Amazon, Kindle & Kindle Unlimited, and coming soon to Audible! Thanks for considering it, Danielle C!
Love the research! Can’t wait to read this.
Thank you Sharon!
The sculptures are stunning & your book sounds wonderful! Love to read it!M
Thanks much Silvia!
How exciting this story sounds!! Hope it goes well for you Julie 🙂
Thanks so much Charlotte!
Thanks for the chance in this giveaway. Excited that it will be coming to audible! Love the research and history!
Thank you Shelley! Good luck in the giveaway!
I know I’m late here, but as I was hurrying through my email to find only the absolutely ‘read now or you’ll regret it big time’ ones, I noticed who Meredith was having on her blog this week and went ‘Woo! I’ve been wanting to read THAT! Get back to that one post haste.’ Yes, I have wanted to read it but now even more so. What an interesting plot, and unique and compelling.
I know not every bit of research can be included into a writer’s final draft, (but I’m really looking forward to reading what did make it) so this post with the history is something I always love to read, you know, the behind the scenes work. I’m so excited to read this soon. The very best luck on your first published work. I hope its success gives you the boost to bring us more. And btw, what a beautiful photo above.
As always, thank you so much Meredith.
Your gracious comment is very much appreciated. Thank you Michelle!
Thank you for the awesome review
A bit late, but yes I definitely want to read Julie’s book!!
I’m so glad – thank you!
Is there a better marriage than history and fiction? Since 2017 I have been reading more and more of this genre. So fascinating.
Thank you so much for this giveaway; and good luck to everyone who enters
It’s a marriage made in heaven, Diana!
That’s a fascinating piece of research, Julie. I’ve read about historical facts in Regency times but I have not encounter this before. It certainly gives a great insight when reading this novel.
Thanks so much! Appreciate you reading!
Awesome pieces of art. Interesting Lizzy, sculpting. Thank you these pieces of info about history and the story.
You are so very welcome!
I just loved the book Julie. So thrilled to join you on your blog tour and sing your praises! Congratulations!