Review: Undressing Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos

Vanessa Roberts is a public relations genius and has agreed to help her aunt promote an Austen convention. Aunt Ella is a Jane Austen fanatic. Her local Austen Society is hosting Julian Chancellor. He’s written a book with a quill pen, My Year as Mr. Darcy, and has been contracted to speak at the convention. Julian has a unique take on his subject. He discusses the clothing Mr. Darcy wore by taking it off. He’s using the proceeds of his book sales to save his family’s estate from demolition. A noble cause and fitting in perfectly with his character. Julian’s manners and demeanor blend with the attributes assigned to Mr. Darcy. He’s a courtly gentleman with an exquisite British accent and no cell phone. Vanessa hasn’t been swept up in the appeal of Jane Austen’s most famous character, but all the women around her can’t get enough of him. Asking for a picture with him and an autograph, they are star struck. The hotel has a comic book hero convention as well. Vanessa sees an opportunity as some participants have booked to attend both conventions. As Julian starts his presentation, she bumps into a pirate. Chase MacClane works for Ella’s friend Paul and recognizes Vanessa. He reminds her they went to high school together. She doesn’t remember him and is too busy to rekindle anything. Her sights are on Julian. She’s hooked and decides to get to know him better, even following him to England. Chase remains on the sidelines as a friend, waiting for Vanessa to accept him. Julian and Chase enter her life and change it for the worse, then the better. Two men in costumes blur her impressions of them and herself. Who’s the gentleman and who’s the rogue?

The author fleshes out the characters and makes them real. Vanessa is trying to please her aunt, who is in the early stages of dementia, by dabbling in Austen world. Family comes first, business second, and she’s left herself very little. Vanessa hoped to be married with babies by now, but has been freezing her eggs instead. Julian has absorbed Mr. Darcy’s worse traits: pride, vanity, and disregard for others. All behind a gorgeous face, perfect manners and diction, and impeccably tailored clothes. Chase is the opposite of his appearance. No pirate’s life for him. He works hard, quick to help others, and patient. This love triangle plays itself out with everyone getting what they deserve.

I’ve read a few Jane Austen books and am fascinated by the industry built around her. The author includes more information about Jane herself: personal letters, possible loves, and a list of frenemies. She immerses Vanessa in the clothes (it’s all about the corset), balls, and teas. The consuming interest in all things Darcy permeates the story. No man can live up to the romance around love conquers all, but some come very close. It’s an interesting look at the yearning for the perceived past. This book is written with a reverence and accuracy of Austen’s time with a firm foot in reality. Funny and heartbreaking, I highly recommend it.

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