Rachel Feder

“A wildly entertaining read.”—The Washington PostWhat if we've been reading Jane Austen and romantic classics all wrong? A literary scholar offers a funny, brainy, eye-opening take on how our contemporary love stories are actually terrifying.Covering cultural touchstones ranging from Normal People to Taylor Swift and from Lord Byron to The Bachelor, The Darcy Myth is a book for anyone who loves thinking deeply about literature and culture—whether it’s Jane Austen or not.You already know Mr. Darcy—at least you think you do! The brooding, rude, standoffish romantic hero of Pride and Prejudice, Darcy initially insults and ignores the witty heroine, but eventually succumbs to her charms. It’s a classic enemies-to-lovers plot, and one that has profoundly influenced our cultural ideas about courtship. But what if this classic isn’t just a grand romance, but a horror novel about how scary love and marriage can be for women?In The Darcy Myth, literature scholar Rachel Feder unpacks Austen’s Gothic influences and how they’ve led us to a romantic ideal that’s halfway to being a monster story. Why is our culture so obsessed with cruel, indifferent romantic heroes (and sometimes heroines)? How much of that is Darcy’s fault? And, now that we know, what do we do about it?

From name-checking Romeo and Juliet in "You Belong with Me" to The Great Gatsby allusions in "Happiness", Taylor Swift's lyrics are packed with literary connections.Make sure you're catching them all with this expert guide to the novels, poems, and plays that influenced her songwriting.Let a literature professor and a musical theater star guide you through the Swift canon—from Arthurian legend to Austen to Edward Albee. Learn what "New Romantics" has to do with the old Romantics, which Gothic novel inspired "Tolerate It," how to spot Taylor's many Great Gatsby references, and more! With full-color illustrations guiding you through the literary eras of Dr. Swift (yes, she has an honorary Ph.D.), it’s a perfect gift for the Swiftie in your life. Packed with fun facts, entertaining analysis, and recommended reading that fans will love, Taylor Swift by the Book will turn anyone from a Taylor Swift lover into a Taylor Swift scholar.