Nidhi Sinha
A classic way to mark Valentine’s Week is by reading timeless tales that continue to inspire today’s romance. Here are 10 books that will make you fall in love:
- GONE WITH THE WIND
Set during the American Civil War, Gone with the Wind echoes the madness and futility of first love and the passionate nature of unrequited love. The protagonist Scarlett, who is one of the fiercest green-eyed vixen in the history of fictional romances, portrays the obsessiveness of futile infatuations. Laden with an obsession for her childhood crush, Scarlett brutally ignores the one man who truly loves her. The story forms a classic love triangle which ends on a passionate but tragic note. It tears into the hearts of all unrequited lovers when the hero says- "Don't you think, even if it was a lie, that it would be appropriate for you to say 'I love you'...even if you didn't mean it?"
2. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pic by Elaine Howlin
The 19th century classic by Jane Austen deals with different shades of love and relationship. Firstly, there is a marriage that lacks emotional compatibility. Secondly, there is an immature marriage based on imprudence. Thirdly, there is an example of the business of marriage where marriage is conducted only to sustain oneself. Last and most importantly, the classic couple of Elizabeth and Darcy starts off with complete hatred, sees bumps of pride and prejudice, and gradually develops a bond based on admiration and love. The book has set the benchmark that without respect there is no love and marriage without love is just hollow commitment. As Elizabeth says, "I am determined that only the deepest love will induce me into matrimony."
3. WUTHERING HEIGHTS
The 19th century gothic novel is a passionate read with a traumatised male character, Heathcliff, who is both the villain and the hero. He is ruthless, uncivilised, rude and an “evil beast”. He is outright evil, however, he is also a pitiable victim with a cruel past. His unrequited love for Catherine and his stormy emotions for her makes him more than just a cold and vengeful character. He is a passionate man whose love disobeys the boundaries of life, society and even death. The writer portrays the destructiveness of love when Heathcliff says, "Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you!"
4. ROMEO AND JULIET
Pic by b0red
Shakespeare’s immortal tale of two star-crossed lovers remains one of the most loved romances even after centuries of its publication. The drama set the classic trend of youths from feuding families falling in love. Miscommunications, misinterpretations and their stars mar their hope for a happy ending.
"For never was a story of more woe."
5. DANGEROUS LIAISONS
Les Liaisons dangereuses (English- Dangerous Liaisons) is a French novel about two lovers-turned-haters who end up destroying each other.
“Very well, then. War!”
6. THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE
The modern science fiction tells the tale of a woman who has to cope with the unpredictable absence of her husband, who has a genetic disorder that makes him uncontrollably travel through time. Henry and Clare’s love endures despite them being out of sync physically. The book shows the endurance of true love that induces people to wait for a length time for their partners. Clare says, “I won't ever leave you, even though you're always leaving me.”
7. OUTLANDER
Set during the Second World War era and the 18th century Scotland, Outlander is a historical fiction in which a married woman accidentally travels through time. The 20th-century British woman encounters a young warrior as she reaches the 18-century Scotland. During her adventure, she experiences a love so intense that it rips her apart as she emotionally dangles between the two incompatible lives with two men- one is her husband and the second one is her lover. This is the first part of an ongoing 10-part book series.
8. DOCTORS
Erich Segal, best know for Love Story, wrote another masterpiece named Doctors, which is, for most of its part, set in the Harvard Medical School. Amidst the medical background, the book narrates a tale of two childhood best friends who stumble through medical school, succeed in their professional life and find unsatisfying love separately only to uncover the passion behind their friendship a bit late in life. "Although science could pinpoint the exact spot in the brain that ignites rage, they had yet to identify the location that produces love."
9. OLD LOVE
Old Love is an enemies-to-lovers short story by Jeffrey Archer. It deals with the story of two toppers at Oxford University who, with their mutual hatred for each other, engage in fierce academic competition. Amidst the fights, and while calling each other “that silly woman” and “that arrogant man”, the duo fall in love. Their bickering and fierce arguments continue even after they get married and grow old together. Even death couldn’t separate them and "the legend has it, they were never apart for more than a few hours.“
10. FAULT IN OUR STARS
Fault in Our Stars is a modern story of yet another star-crossed lovers who are battling with cancer in their teenage years. The book cherishes an innocent and pure love where the characters "fall in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." With their days numbered, the characters cherish their bitter-sweet forever as the book ends on a tragic note.
"You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful."
