Best book on Love/Romance

[lokariototal]

I want a book which can teach me what being a romantic REALLY MEANS be it philosophical, novel, self-development or whatever. A book about a great lover, a book that I can learn a lot about true love. I want to become a better boyfriend, I want to get the romantic mindset. So, what do you recommend? Don Juan by lord byron? just tell me what you think!

[aquarium444]

I want a book which can teach me what being a romantic REALLY MEANS be it philosophical, novel, self-development or whatever. A book about a great lover, a book that I can learn a lot about true love. I want to become a better boyfriend, I want to get the romantic mindset. So, what do you recommend? Don Juan by lord byron? just tell me what you think!

There are a lot of them. I know that the book "Anna Karenina" covers romance. There is a book called, "The mysteries of Udolpho" that you should read before any dating should occur.

[kiki1982]

I was thinking about al kns of girly stuff like Austen and such, bu if you are a man, you probably do not really care for it, although it would be interesting to watch what the other side is doing... :p

However, I thought about The Black Tulip by Dumas. It's a touching story about one who gets locked up because of nasty people and then falls in love with a girl. Truly cute. It tells of love without the physical side... And the book is short.

Have fun making yourself a better boyfriend! :hurray:

Oh, or maybe The Commandant's Daughter by Pushkin, although much of the story is about him only...

[dfloyd]

you should learn about Victoria's Secret.

[The Comedian]

Okay, I'm being totally serious here: Machiavelli's "The Prince" is what you're looking for here; it's all about how to manipulate an audience. And that, my friend, is the essence of romance.

[Silas Thorne]

Okay, I'm being totally serious here: Machiavelli's "The Prince" is what you're looking for here; it's all about how to manipulate an audience. And that, my friend, is the essence of romance.

So true. 'Romance' is the smoke, not the flame. Love is the flame.

[Pryderi Agni]

Two books by Goethe spring immediately to mind: The Sorrows of Young Werther and Elective Affinities. Romantic storm and stress at its finest ;)

[mal4mac]

It's probably too obvious to mention, but as I'm re-reading it at moment: Romeo & Juliet. Jonathan Bate introduces it with a superb essay in the RSC Shakespeare, showing how Shakespeare so strongly illustrates all aspects of Romance -- Romeo comparing Juliet's beauty to the Sun, his cynical friend suggesting it's all about her open a***, and so on... Most importantly, it shows that trying to be a great boyfriend is not always enough, circumstances can destroy you...

[neilgee]

The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields

[Katy North]

If you seriously read Jane Austen or the Brontes and took notes on how the male protagonists act, you would definitely make some girl very happy...

:drool5:

Jane Austen's recipie for a romantic man (as per pride and predjudice):

Be quiet, unapproachable and mysterious.

Seriously p#ss off the girl you think you may fall in love with.

Employ in interesting banter with her, and sprinkle some words around about how pretty she is.

When she rejects proposals and/or your advances, suffer in silence for a few months.

Gradually build up her opinion of you over time. When the opportunity presents itself do something incredibly noble and self sacrificing to help out her family and friends.

Go on a long walk with her and confess that you still love her.

Make sure to use long, ardant gazes and Victorian era dances where partners are barely touching to your advantage.

:svengo: *swoon*

[kiki1982]

:lol:

Of course! Austen's instant perfect boyfriend. Only add hot water...

Or like TheComedian said... manipulate your audience. Perception is everything.

What did I want to say? Oh, yes, Marcellus Emants put it like this when a character asked another how to seduce a woman who did seem to have any interest:

'Wie een blijvende indruk op een vrouw wil maken, posere als rebus en geve nooit de oplossing.'

'Whosoever wants to make a lasting impression on a woman, pose as conuncrum and never give the solution.'

or

'Een vrouw knielt voor het mannelijk overwicht, en het geheimzinnige is een niet te versmaden hulpmiddel om dit zo al niet te bereiken, dan wel voor te wenden.'

'A woman kneels in front of male supremacy, and mysteriousness is a means not to be missed either to reach this or to merely give the impression of it.'

Both 1878, Monaco/Mastazza

So, be myterious and pose as a riddle. I guess even Darcy was mysterious and surprising at some point, SLIGHT SPOILER! particularly when Mrs Reynolds was talking about him... SPOILER OVER

[JuniperWoolf]

Of Human Bondage is SERIOUSLY the most accurate representation of love that I've ever encountered, at least in my experience.

[Nax]

I think the best books on romance are Archie Comics, the dynamic between Archie, Betty, and Veronica is splended!

But seriously.

The Great Gatsby has alot of goodies on love i think, even if it is often overshadowed by the view on society side of things.

But seeing as your trying to be a better boyfriend, I would say spend less time reading how to do so, and spend that energy showing her. Its not very hard to be romantic, just do what you would want her to do, leave little notes, simple just saying i love you, make her dinner, LISTEN, just help.

I believe that the most important thing in love isnt doing this or that, its just being proactive. Do something for her without being asked, be Pro-active instead of Re-active

[Travis_R]

Lolita was the only convincing love story of the past century.

[Kafka's Crow]

Two words: Doctor Zhivago.

Read the book, watch the movies (I prefer the more recent production). Love stories don't get better than that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1fFr6QL6AQ

[JBI]

I like Bembo's digression at the end of the Book of the Courtier, where he reworks Vicino's commentary on Plato's Symposium to fit modern court life. Of course, it is even better when one remembers the real Bembo, despite his work on the subject, was the exact opposite, even having an affair with his Lord's wife Lucretia Borgia.

[Henry IX]

For me, it was A Severe Mercy, Sheldon VanAuken. I like to think I am a better husband for it.