I think the best love story would be something like Pride and Prejudice because its something that could actually happen; its not some fantasy or fairy tale.
Although I haven't read Lolita which seems to be a favorite for a lot of people.
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I think the best love story would be something like Pride and Prejudice because its something that could actually happen; its not some fantasy or fairy tale.
Although I haven't read Lolita which seems to be a favorite for a lot of people.
For me it's either "The Wild Palms" by William Faulkner or "The Sound of Waves" by Yukio Mishima.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Quite a number here appear to include the works of Jane Austin in your 'lBest Love Story' selection. However, it seems her works would be rejected by many leading publishers and literary agents if submitted today.
Here is the link from which the following was extracted
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...ugh+to+publish
Among much this tells us, or convinces us, is just how hard it is for a new writer to get even read by a publisher, never mind accepted.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE? JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO PUBLISH
".....Astonishingly, only one out of 18 publishers or literary agents recognised that the opening chapters were copies – word for word – of Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Only the titles and the characters’ names had been changed by prank*ster David Lassman, 43.
Quite apart from not recognising these classic novels, the publishers also rejected them – turning down flat the offerings of one of Britain’s finest ever woman novelists............"
Sorry, the link will not reproduce in full from the pre-submit
If interested just go the Daily Express on line, and in the search window type
'Publishers reject Jane Austin' or, perhaps just Jane Austin may bring it up.
It is quite interesting and revealing, so its worth the effort.
It's Jane Austen, not AustIn. God....
And I'd nominate Romeo and Juliet.
Sorry, you are perfectly correct. I have a close friend who's last name is Austin, so it came naturally.
What is Of Human Bondage about? The title is certainly intriguing!Quote:
Originally Posted by den
Yes "The gift of the Magi" by O'Henry is also my favourite love story.Another is "cupid and Psyche".
XAQXIT
Yes the conflict is sometimes not between the two main characters but in the forces acting upon them. However, when the 'love' is condensed between the cover of a novel and presented as a story, perhaps our focus is moved to, and emotions stirred by, the conflict, rather than the sincerity of the love. Infatuation can often appear like love, and by the very young often is mistaken for 'the greatest love ever'.Quote:
Midas, I agree, but don't you think the conflict could exist not between the two characters but between forces that divide them? We see this time and time again... say for example in Romeo & Juliet. Then again my thoughts on that play are that it's merely a satire on the ridiculous notion of love and first sight, and it's really more of a comedy than a love story or a tragedy, especially as the families come together at the end... though perhaps my reading of that text is a bit unconventional
For example, when family is against the marriage, and tries to break it up - a common plot, this can often push the couple closer for a number of reasons - they have a common resolve to fight this thing together.
But will it last once the battle has been won and they settle down in real life with two or three kids to bring up, and a mortgage to pay? In the case of Romeo and Juliet, for instance, we will never know.
Just a thought.
I think Louis de Bernieres' Captain Corelli's Mandolin is a beautiful love story, although i know there is a lot about the war too it did make me cry at the thought that Correlli and Pelagia werent together for most of their lives.
Still have not seen the film either.
Gone with the wind is my first choice and the second one is Pride and Prejudice. Those two were really classics!!
Persuasion by Austen the love of Anne and Captain Wentworth is so enduring,quiet and dignified
I think "A Walk to Remember" by Nicholas Sparks is great, too. :)
Catherine and Heathcliff's relationship in "Wuthering Heights"
All of my favourites have been said but i will just agree with you all with,
A Walk to remember
Pride and Prejudice
Persausion
Wuthuring Heights
The Notebook
Romeo and Juliet
ect
ect
lol unfortunately i cant bring anything new to the table.
From the number of stories that I am familiar with (which is not many), I consider Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, Nicholas Spark's A Walk to Remember , Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and the Notebook as the best love stories of their times.
OK. I hate to do this. BUT..
Love In the Time of Cholera-Gabriel Garcia Marquez. (I feel like his cheering squad, he's in almost all of my posts! :lol:) I do read Marquez alot so of course this would be natural for me as I am well read in him.. BUT....
I'm not alone. It Is considered one of the greatest love stories ever told, and not only by me, but more widely. Don't ask me who or to site anything. All I can say is that it is in Pengiuns "Great books of the 20th century" eddition.
And even though Oprah book clubbed it, its still one of my favorites. Read it if you haven't. It is fabulous. (though unfortunatly the movie was not :bawling: )
In fact.. I think I'll give it another re-read :idea:
Probably Aeneas and Dido's love story in The Aeneid. I like it because it hit home with Dido's unfortunate infatuation with Aeneas. I don't want to go too in detail about this, but I've been in a similar situation where I have a really, really bad crush for someone that I couldn't act on due to time and circumstance. It's actually quite a miserable experience. :(
My favorite is Jane Eyre.
Eros and Psyche
its beautifully romantic, Psyche is so loyal... I wish that was the way it is today.
and by Eros and Psyche i mean the version in which Eros is sent to kill her, but falls in love with her instead. They marry, but she is never allowed to see him. Her sisters, jealous, convince her that he is a hideous monster, so she sneaks a peak but drips candle wax on his skin and he awakens. Psyche is given tasks she must do before she can win him back such as sorting hundreds of seeds and fetching items from the land of the dead. Eventually Aphrodite sees her loyalty and allows the couple to be together.
It is so beautiful. SOOOOO beautiful. I love it. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
I would have to say that Jane Austen wrote the best love stories of all time. Now, i am not a great reader when it comes to classics, but i firmly believe there is no better romance writer than Austen. Every single story she told was timeless, and i loved all of them (i had a J.A. class last year) but if forced to choose....i would have to only go down to three and say Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma. I love how the same basic plot is in all three books (actually in all of Austen's Novels) but plays out differently every time. And, i also think that these 3 novels have the best male characters.
Always,
I'm a fan of Jane Austen, too. I haven't read much of her stuff besides Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and Persuasion, but I have a couple more so I'll pick those up soon.
I think my favorite love story is between Jane Eyre and Love in the time of cholera. Though, Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenenger is waay up there too. So I guess it would be a three-way tie. :)
I have to agree with whoever wrote it above but Bronte's Wuthering Heights by far.
The only book to make me cry, beautiful love story between Heathcliff and Cathy - a must read
How about Anna Karenina?
You mean Kitty and Levin?Quote:
Originally Posted by Luce
I like Pride and Prejudice, i think this is the kind of love i would like to experience.
I think I'll have to forward "The Sun Also Rises".
It's hardly conventional, but is, concurently, absurdly touching.
I agree with so many posts here that Jane Austen wrote classic romances--some of the best. She was so true to her time, but also so timeless. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite.Quote:
Originally Posted by happyeverafter
I also like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.
My pick would be The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. It took 2 readings over a span of 5 years for me to appreciate the poetic prose of the novel, but once I "got it," I have loved it ever since.
What I love about it is that it shows different types of love and how they evolve due to changes in circumstance and personal values. The fact that so many love stories happen during the period of the ending of WWII creates a contrast that I find very poignant (sorry if this sounds like one of those book reviews).
probably either lolita, the great gatsby, or giovanni's room. I can't decide! :)
It's a bit of an old post, but a classic! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by nothingman87
In terms of love stories...I haven't read many, but I must say R&J is up there in favourites, or Pride and Prejudice, as much as I loath the BBC version...but the recent one with Keira Knightley was great! Have yet to read the original novel though.
I like the BBC version. The recent film was a bit boring.
I think Pearl Buck's The Good Earth has stood the test of time. what an incredible story. But my favorite book (since I was 12) is To Kill a Mockingbird
Um, is that a love story?
My absolute favorite love story is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. A close second and third are The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley (the love between Sir Lancelot and Guinevere), and Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters.
but Tristan and Isolde has so many versions.
the very first one is not that much lovely. i must say.