What's the best love story in literature?

[Aquaduct]

Some might say it was written by Jane Austen in "Pride & Prejudice"

...others will swear by "Romeo & Juliet".

It doesn't have to be between a man and a woman...could be the love of a mother for her child.


What do you think is the truest love story, and why?

I'm not really sure yet, myself.

[daylily]

I'll take a stab at it.

The great love story that pops up in my mind is that between Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights. So much passion!

[Kelly71]

Well, it's tragic in a way, but definitely Ralph and Meggie from The Thorn Birds because of their connection of souls.

Or, Sydney Carton and what he did for Lucy and Charles in A Tale of Two Cities. He died so Lucy and Charles could be together. Sad, but romantic.

[Still_Snarky]

I LOVE Alessandro Barrico (translated from Italian)...my most favorite book of all time Ocean Sea and one of my other favorites Silk. Not "traditional" love stories but beautifully written and poetic, prosey type books. I can't say enough good things about this man!

[annettemarie]

Well, Romeo and Juliet if you can get past the part where everyone dies.

I think the Bible is full of awesome love stories.

Annette

[Irishmommy]

I don't see Wuthering Heights as a love story so much as a co-dependency story.

[the_lissa]

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

I don't see Wuthering Heights as a love story so much as a co-dependency story.

me too. i never could stand that book. I can't think of a great love story off the top of my head and I was an english/history major.

[MangoMamma]

My fave love story is Beloved. The choice of freedom she makes for her children although her strategy may seem contrary. She loved her children so much she never wanted them to be anything but free.

[TranscendentalMom]

Originally Posted by the_lissa

me too. i never could stand that book. I can't think of a great love story off the top of my head and I was an english/history major.

I'm so glad to hear other people say this. I felt like Wuthering Heights was the most overrated book I've ever read.

First thing that came to my mind was "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy

I thought of "The Great Gatsby" as well but that's definitely an unrequited love story.

Oh, I just thought of a GREAT one...."Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. AWESOME love story with many many layers.

[huggerwocky]

the love story of

love in the times of the cholera

I just love it....I can't say, it is so well written, so uncheesy and cheesy at the same time....*sigh*

[huggerwocky]

Originally Posted by TranscendentalMom

Oh, I just thought of a GREAT one...."Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. AWESOME love story with many many layers.

Oh lol, I didn't reasd the posts before i replied.isn't it one of the most wonderful books ever?

I have ever since loved the Name Fermina...

[Mrs Dimples]

I think I might put in another vote for Love in the Time of Cholera...

[Aquaduct]

Well, you've got me curious about Marquez's book now.


Yeah I wouldn't rate "Wuthering Heights" as a story of love.

I think Eugene Onegin by Pushkin is a great poem about the outskirts of love, in the sense that it is about the birth of the pangs of love in the heart of someone who knew nothing about it, though he was such a great ladies man.

It is a scintillating poem, so witty and poignant, but I am not sure if it really deeply moved my heart.

I haven't read the book, but in the movie "About A Boy", I think when the Hugh Grant character went on stage to sing with the boy, so he wouldn't make a total fool of himself....it was a moment of love, real love. He sacrificed his ego and had nothing to gain by his action.

[huggerwocky]

Originally Posted by Aquaduct

Well, you've got me curious about Marquez's book now.


Yeah I wouldn't rate "Wuthering Heights" as a story of love.

I think Eugene Onegin by Pushkin is a great poem about the outskirts of love, in the sense that it is about the birth of the pangs of love in the heart of someone who knew nothing about it, though he was such a great ladies man.

It is a scintillating poem, so witty and poignant, but I am not sure if it really deeply moved my heart.

I haven't read the book, but in the movie "About A Boy", I think when the Hugh Grant character went on stage to sing with the boy, so he wouldn't make a total fool of himself....it was a moment of love, real love. He sacrificed his ego and had nothing to gain by his action.

I think about a boy was entertaining but not one of the greatest love stories ever

[Aquaduct]

I agree, but I still think that was a very nice moment. It was moving for me.

It beats hands down most Hollywood productions.


A lot of the stories of Jesus in the Bible are great stories of love, as someone mentioned.

Just a shame the reflected glory of Christ gets misused by certain politicians.

[TranscendentalMom]

Originally Posted by huggerwocky

Oh lol, I didn't reasd the posts before i replied.isn't it one of the most wonderful books ever?

I have ever since loved the Name Fermina...

Love in the Time of Cholera- I've never read a book about love that was so REAL. There is not one moment of false sentimentality. It presents love as it is...blissful and magical but also confusing and even disappointing at times. There are sentences in this book that had been in my mind for years but I'd never been able to express them in words. Definitely read this book if you haven't already!

[Aquaduct]

I will soon. Lack of sentimentality is a good recommendation.

[Juniper]

The first book that popped into my head was Love in the Time of Cholera. This book took me awhile to get through but was very rewarding in the end.

I really enjoyed the love relationship between the two women in The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Such a healing sweet love.

Jennifer

[Daffodil]

Wow, I'm thinking I'd better read Love in the Time of Cholera! I liked Wuthering Heights a lot when I read it for the second time a few years ago, but not primarily as a love story.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Jane Eyre. It's like the prototype romance novel, but better than any modern stereotypical romance because Jane and Rochester actually fall in love for a reason - they get to know each other, and they like each other's minds and personalities. And one of the best things about it is that the characters are not good-looking - they're both described as rather homely, but they have this wonderful romance anyway. That meant a lot to me when I was a teenager who felt ugly.

But I'd have to say that the best, truest-feeling love story I've read was another Charlotte Bronte novel - Villette. It's not as dramatic as Jane Eyre, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

[KiwiZ]

Originally Posted by Daffodil

Wow, I'm thinking I'd better read Love in the Time of Cholera! I liked Wuthering Heights a lot when I read it for the second time a few years ago, but not primarily as a love story.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Jane Eyre. It's like the prototype romance novel, but better than any modern stereotypical romance because Jane and Rochester actually fall in love for a reason - they get to know each other, and they like each other's minds and personalities. And one of the best things about it is that the characters are not good-looking - they're both described as rather homely, but they have this wonderful romance anyway. That meant a lot to me when I was a teenager who felt ugly.

But I'd have to say that the best, truest-feeling love story I've read was another Charlotte Bronte novel - Villette. It's not as dramatic as Jane Eyre, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Hmmm, lots of votes for "Love in the Time of Cholera"! You have convinced me to check it out I agree with "Jane Eyre", you've described it beautifully!