This week's Top Ten from The Broke and the Bookish asks for my Top Ten Favorite Romances. There will be some SPOILERS if you haven’t read these books.
1) Anne and Captain Wentworth in Persuasion – Their love withstands years of separation and rekindles in the most beautiful way.
2) Anne and Gilbert in the Anne of Green Gables series – I love that we get to see their whole relationship, from courtship through marriage and children throughout the series.
3) Henry and Clare in The Time Traveler’s Wife – Spanning almost Clare’s entire life, these two had a romance that defied fate.
4) Jo and Professor Bhaer in Little Women – I know most people rooted for Laurie and Jo, but re-reading this as an adult made me fall in love with Bhaer along with Jo. They were perfectly suited for each other and they both thought they would probably never find love.
5) Thursday and Landon in the Thursday Next series – What would you do if the man you loved was completely erased from existence? Thursday has to deal with this, yet the books are still hilarious.
6) Levin and Kitty in Anna Karenina – Sure, Anna’s romance is more dramatic, but Levin and Kitty were always my favorite. Their relationship was not an easy one. They both had to mature before they could be together. Their relationship shows that real love is hard work, but worth every second of it!
7) Lucy and George in A Room with a View – The ultimate question in a good romance; do you marry the sensible guy or do you throw caution to the wind and follow your heart? This book has one of the best examples of this kind of romance that I’ve ever read. Plus, they meet in Florence, which is just a lovely bonus.
8) Marco and Celia in The Night Circus – A ridiculously difficult obstacle to overcome, magic in the air, what more could you want?
9) Arwen and Aragorn in Lord of the Rings – A romance that was relegated to the Appendix for the most part, but undoubtedly swoon-worthy. To be together Arwen must give up eternal life, but she knows that a short lifetime with him is better than an eternity without him.
10) Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester – Of course they made my list! Their love is undeniable, yet Jane still walks away because she won’t compromise her belief system for any man. Then comes one of literature’s most irresistible lines … “Reader, I married him.”
Image from here.
22 comments:
Anne and Capt. Wentworth and Anne and Gilbert are two of my favorite romances as well. I read the whole Anne of Green Gables series too and loved all of them.
I absolutely agree with you on Levin and Kitty - it's one of my favourite couple; and also on Arwen and Aragorn, their love is incredible.
I SO wish I would have remembered Anne and Gilbert! The Time Traveler's Wife is another great one! Awesome list! :D My TTTs are at LKHill and Musings on Fantasia. Happy Tuesday!
Oh Anne and Gilbert - I love their story! Also, Henry and Clare...epic romance doesn't even begin to describe their relationship :)
Anne - I love that we got to see Anne and Gilbery grow from being kids to a married couple to parents. You don't normally get to see that whole process in literature.
Camilla P - Levin and Kitty totally deserve more lit attention!
Liesel K Hill - Anne and Gil are epic!
Kat - Seriously, it's a good reminder for when you're mad at your spousem at least they aren't disappearing and traveling back in time!
Aww Marco and Celia were just about the most scrumptious pair. I love how both of them had such strong personalities but those melded in such a way that made sense and helped them through the challenges they had to face together.
I've read 6 out of 10 and definitely agree with all of them. I often find the supporting character romances wonderful too. Mr. Bingley and Jane (P & P), Leslie and Owen (Anne's House of Dreams), Meg and Mr. Brooke (Little Women), Marianne and Colonel Brandon (S & S). There are so many!
I really need to get around to reading The Time Traveler's Wife. Is it anything like the Doctor and River Song?
I have to admit, the Jane/Rochester romance didn't quite work for me when I reread the book as an adult. But Henry and Clare would definitely be on my list.
I love this list, and I totally agree with you about Jo and Professor Bhaer. I think the movies make you want Laurie, but the book makes you realize why Professor Bhaer was perfect for Jo.
Nikki - I agree, it would have been so much easier if they had just decided to hate each other. But instead they found a way to be together. Love them.
Selah - Oh my gosh, you're right, so many amazing supporting character romances in those books! Funny, but I never made the River/Doctor connection with The Time Traveler's Wife. I would say the book is sadder, than the Doctor's romance, but there are definite similarities. If you ever read it let me know and we'll discuss!
Ali - I wonder if I will feel differently about that romance when I re-read it in the future.
Amy - Yes! The movie made me want to Laurie and Jo to get together too, but the book didn't.
Nick and Amy from Gone Girl!
Just kidding. LOL
As soon as I finish re-reading Chamber of Secrets, I'll start on The Time Traveler's Wife. I would LOVE to discuss it with you when I'm done.
Bybee - Ha, worst couple ever.
Selah - Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
I think we would definitely share many of the same ones. I think there are probably only a couple that I would change to fill with ones that mean more to me.
I do love Captain Wentworth and Anne. Its getting to the point where I am liking them even more than Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy and that is saying something.
Haven't watched the Anne of Green Gables films in far too long, same with reading the books.
Carl V - I think I do love Wentworth and Anne more than Lizzy and Darcy, like you said that is saying a lot!
Aww...Kitty and Levin. One of my favorites. The block scene is one of the best ever. Love it. They did it in the new movie and it was so sweet.
I live Thursday and Landon too. I've only read the first two, but hoping to get to book three soon.
I'd give up eternal life for Aragorn too (as long as he is Viggio Mortenson's Aragorn…)
Kristi - I'm dying to see the new movie version, but it's not playing anywhere near me! The 5th Thursday Next book is my favorite one so far with their relationship.
Jenners - I'm right there with you! What's eternal life without your love?
I think they released the DVD of the new Anna Karenina today. I checked on amazon and it's available. I really loved it, but the way it's directed, I think some may find it strange.
Kristi - I definitely need to check it out soon. I've heard it's done in a unique style, so I'm intrigued.
A lovely selection Melissa, the only relationship that I am not familiar with is No 5.
LindyLouMac - The Thursday Next books are really fun. The first book in the series is The Eyre Affair and they're about a literary detective. Very clever premise.
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