Hello everyone!
Happy Valentine’s Day! On this holiday that celebrates love and romance, I wanted to share a few novels that feature some of my favorite romantic couples. While some of these works are not necessarily romance-centric, the relationships they highlight, from former loves to unlikely friendships, each tell a story of how love can develop and grow–for anyone. I hope these recommendations bring a potential book to your reading list, as well as brighten your day. Love and best wishes to you all!
Pride and Prejudice
“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you”— Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen is often unfortunately stereotyped as being solely a writer of love stories. Long, dull love stories where all people do is sit and talk. While to be fair there is a good deal of talking, Austen is far more than a simple peddler of dreamy romances and dreamier heroes (à la Colin Firth). Her novels do discuss romance, but also economics, politics, the plight of women, and many, many more subjects. There is a reason fans, scholars, and scholar-fans still discuss Austen over two hundred years later. For even Austen’s romantic plots ring with important lessons across the centuries. An Austen romance is more than just an average love story—they are about topics such as not settling for unworthy partners, never losing hope, and being vulnerable and honest.
As such, Pride and Prejudice has to top my list of romantic reads, as it is an enduring and wonderful classic. Though the story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet has been told through many mediums, such as films, television mini series, and even a web show, nothing can truly compare with the original novel. In Austen’s work, Elizabeth Bennet is the playful and witty second-eldest of five sisters, which places the Bennet women in a drastic economic situation. They need good marriages to avoid falling into poverty, and the prayers of their mother seem answered when Mr. Bingley, a kind, amiable, (and rich) gentleman rents the large estate of Netherfield Park in the Bennet’s neighborhood. While Elizabeth approves of Bingley’s interest in her lovely older sister, Jane, Elizabeth cannot help but dislike Bingley’s best friend, Mr. Darcy, who seems determined to be displeased with everything and everyone he sees. Yet as Elizabeth’s negative opinion of Darcy grows it seems like the two are only forced to interact more and more.
This story of the tumultuous relationship of the proud Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth contains many vital love lessons (in addition to being a lovely novel). Their relationship is more than a simple sort-of-enemies-to-lovers tale; it’s about a meeting of minds, a love rooted in a mutual agreement of respect and understanding. Elizabeth staunchly refuses to settle for anyone who is not her equal, even with her family’s precarious financial situation. Perhaps that’s why one of the most romantic and beloved things about Mr. Darcy is that his love for Elizabeth makes him realize what he needs to be a better man—a man worthy of her love—and he rises to the challenge. This beautifully written, witty masterpiece is a must-read for anyone seeking a classic love story that involves both finding and becoming a worthy partner (or for anyone with a mild Colin Firth obsession).
Persuasion
All Rights Reserved to Penguin Classics, a division of Penguin Random House
“You pierce my soul. I am half-agony, half-hope.” — Persuasion by Jane Austen
Persuasion was Austen’s last completed novel, and was published posthumously. As such, many, including myself, view Persuasion as Austen’s most mature work. Persuasion’s character descriptions, its observations about life, love, and human nature, reflect Austen’s own life and developed experience as a writer. It is a powerful story told by a woman who unfortunately passed away before she could personally see it published.
The novel centers on Anne Elliot, the gentle and thoughtful daughter of a vain and self-important baronet. When Anne was a younger woman, she fell in love and became happily engaged to Frederick Wentworth, a naval officer. When her father and godmother learned of her engagement, they convinced Anne to call it off, saying it was an unworthy match. Now twenty-seven, Anne is viewed as an almost-spinster, and continues to regret being persuaded against Wentworth. Then, in a twist of fate, Wentworth, who has become a rich naval captain, returns to the neighborhood, granting Anne a potential second chance to find love again.
Although Pride and Prejudice holds a special place in my heart as my first Austen novel, Persuasion competes closely with it as my favorite of Austen’s works. It’s about the longings of a love thought gone forever, and attempting to find love again later in life, when hope had originally seemed lost. Since the years have passed, Anne and Wentworth are able to meet again as older and wiser individuals, with different understandings of the world. With every interaction and classic Austen misunderstanding, it keeps you anxiously wondering if the two will finally be able to end up together. It also contains what I consider one of the most beautiful, vulnerable, and romantic passages in Austen writing. For those seeking a mature romance about rekindling an old love, this is the Valentine’s read for you.
The Golem and the Jinni
All Rights Reserved to Helene Wecker and Harper Perennial
“All of us are lonely at some point or another, no matter how many people surround us. And then, we meet someone who seems to understand. She smiles, and for a moment the loneliness disappears.” — The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker is a historical fantasy, taking place in New York City at the dawn of the 20th century. The story alternates between multiple perspectives, the main two being Chava and Ahmad. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay that has incredible strength and obedience. She was formed by an evil Yiddish sorcerer to be her husband’s bride in the United States. However, when her husband dies on the voyage across the Atlantic, Chava is left alone in the new world without a master. She is taken in by a kind and elderly rabbi, who does his best to instruct Chava and give her purpose. Ahmad is a jiin, a creature of fire who has been trapped in a vessel for centuries. When he is released from his prison by an unsuspecting tinsmith in Little Syria, Ahmad grudgingly decides to work for the smith while searching for a way to free himself from his human form. Though very different in their personalities, the two eventually meet, and form an unlikely bond.
I was lucky enough to find this book at one of my local, independent bookstores. I was pulled in by the description, and once I started I could barely put it down. It is a striking and original concept that centers on an unlikely friendship shared by these two beings of opposite mythologies. Not only that, but they are being raised in the bustle of New York by people of very different cultures and religions. United at once by both their shared inhumanity and humanity, Chava and Ahmed attempt to survive in this tumultuous period, where tensions between different ethnic and religious groups run high. A perfect read for those who enjoy historical fiction and fantasy alike, and particularly for those who love relationships that form across what many would be perceive to be impossible cultural divides.
The Mirror Visitor series
All Rights Reserved to Christelle Dabos and Europa Editions
“I think I’m starting to get used to you.” — A Winter’s Promise by Christille Dabos,
The Mirror Visitor series by Christelle Dabos is an English translation of the quartet that was originally published in France. It’s a whimsical, marvelous, simply incredible series that I highly, highly recommend. In this story, the world has been shattered into different floating islands or “Arks” where each Ark’s people have unique gifts, and are presided over by a family spirit or “Ancestor”. Ophelia is from Anima, an Ark known for inhabitants that are able to animate and interact with the objects around them in various ways. But Ophelia also has the unique gift of being a Mirror Visitor, or a person with the ability to travel through mirrors. Talented but meek, Ophelia unwillingly finds herself in an arranged marriage to Thorn, a man as icy and intimidating as the Ark he hails from. Escorted to the Pole, a frozen world of illusions and intrigue, Ophelia struggles to adjust to her new surroundings, and her new fiancé.
To say Christelle Dabos is a master of slow-burn romance is an understatement. I literally devoured these books, going through the first three in about a day each before rereading them for months while I anxiously awaited the conclusion. Besides the fascinating world building and great characters, the development of Thorn and Ophelia’s relationship keeps you wanting more, inciting your curiosity as the plot unfolds and new revelations are made. Though you may hate Thorn at first, as time passes, every interaction, no matter how small, between Thorn and Ophelia becomes precious; and whether you like it or not you find yourself rooting for them more and more. As Ophelia is faced with challenge after challenge, it truly feels like you are witnessing the progression of a real and meaningful relationship between two individuals who could not be more opposite. If you enjoy romances that build slowly (almost painstakingly slowly) over time, this is a series for you.