What the hottest dude in literature really looked like

No, it’s not a new cast member on the "Beverly Hills 90210 ver. 2.0” and it’s not Paris Hilton’s new boyfriend; it’s some dead dude from the Olden Days for whom one of the best romance authors ever had mad hots. For $50k you can own one of only two (and rarely seen) portraits of Thomas Lefroy, the man alleged to have inspired Jane Austen’s famous character Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The portrait goes on sale next week at a British antiques fair and has reignited the speculation regarding the love affair between Lefroy and Austen.

I first read “Pride and Prejudice” in ninth grade, right at the precipice of teenage angst. I saw the BBC version during my sophomore year in college and the Keira Knighley remake on the day of its release.

(I know it’s a point of contention in the topic of romantic literature-to-film, but I will argue for the BBC version’s merits against the unequally lovely Keira Knightley version - and just know that I can quote entire chunks and studied Austen in college - until the cows come home because 1. Colin Firth 2. Crispin Bonham Carter, also Helena’s cousin 3. Great stage actress Jennifer Ehle 4. Adherence to the original manuscript. Yes, the cinematography of the BBC version was sub-par compared to the Hollywood version.)

I knew that Austen was a somewhat biographical writer and the characters from her books are amalgams or other adaptations of people from her actual life. I don’t know if I agree with the assertion that Lefroy is completely based upon Darcy as the only quality Lefroy and Darcy share is that they’re both impressed by Austen’s (er, Elizabeth’s) wit. Otherwise he sounds very much like man-whore George Wickham (Wisley is totally Mr. Collins, do you agree?). It’s as though she took the best characters from all the men in her life, especially Lefroy, and made one perfect character.

Regardless, who wouldn’t want to know the looks of the man that snared Austen’s heart?

Without further adieu, Mr. Thomas Lefroy:

So? Hot or not? 

Comments

[Mimi]

Um...not?

[missbanshee]

Aw, I vote hot. The original Silver Fox!

[Barbara]

I like his eyes. They remind me of Richard Gere.

[Marilyn]

Yeah... no.

I'll take Colin Firth instead, thankyouverymuch.

[Alex]

Totally hot...for the times.

[Lisalisa]

I don't get the hair, but I like the eyes and the half-smile. Bet he would have been fun to hang out with and dish snark on the ladies at the tea houses in Bath.

But really, I'd need to see him in a wet shirt. ("Wet shirt! Wet shiiiirt!" Am I the only one who read the second Bridget Jones book?)

[Jennifer]

Totally NOT hot. Especially when compared to Mr. Colin Firth. *droooool*

[Anna]

Colin Firth *sigh*.

[L]

Totally hot. Keep in mind, his hair was probably powdered, if not actually a powdered wig.

[Miz Jawnson]

You could drown in his eyes and kiss his Cupid's bow lips forever. That is hot.

Although he does seem to be a little on the scrawny side.

[margemayhem]

Wow, I was expecting way worse. Not bad.

[Bec]

Not bad, not bad... but nowhere near Tom Lefroy as played by James McAvoy in 'Becoming Jane' *swoon*

[rednexmama]

OMG!!! Friday Eye Candy: Literary Men on Film!!! Are you with me?? Just James MacAvoy and Colin Firth alone would do! Who else?!

[Scarlet]

He looks super feminine. I bet he hated to get dirty.

[Dana]

I had a crush on Colin Firth in college until I read that he dated and fathered a kid with Meg Tilley who I always thought was sort of an air-head. I am harshly diggin those beefcake 'burns, too.

Yeah - I too thought Lefroy looked a bit scrawny. However, he appears to have had a sweet taste in jackets.

(The "original Silver Fox" bit slayed me!)

((Literary Men on Film is the best homage to Duran Duran ever.))

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

I'd do him.

Then I'd make him darken his hair or something.

[sweetney]

hmm. a little Just For Men and a perhaps some Vitamin B shots and i think we MIGHT have a winner! snort.

[Kim]

Hmmm...He looks a bit girly to me, like afraid of spiders and such...yeah girly, but not entirely horrid.

[Liana]

I think he's kinda cute! I agree that the hair looks a little weird, but the eyes, the smile- you can tell he had some interesting opinions to share. Definitely cute. :)

[Katie Kat]

The eyes would definitely get me. But the wig would HAVE to go...

[Holly]

For the times, yes, he is hot. I agree that I would prefer darker hair, but, he has a nice face. And I bet he was smart and probably witty. I can't imagine that Jane Austen would have put up with stupidity.

[TheBabblingHousewife]

Colin Firth is my on-deck husband if the need ever arises...