Love is one of the most conventional subjects in literature. You can find a romantic line almost in all stories. Today I would like to present you my short to-read list containing English books which show the true love, so-called love or even love that can hardly be called so. These literary works study the phenomenon of love. Some of them do it in a pretty harsh way, but it does not make these books any worse.
I need to tell you this is NOT a rating. No priorities and no numbers. Well, actually, I have lied – there will be one number in all the points, and it is 3.
Intrigued? Here we go!
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Not surprising. Though, what a to-read list without Shakespeare?! You must have read the play, so I will just try to persuade you to reread it. Nothing but three adjectives will help me to do it: canonical, romantic, tragic.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
This is one of the books to cry over when you are in need of romanticism and a bit of suffering, because it is another British love story without happy ending. This novel will make you shiver with cold wind as if you were in heather country. The atmosphere is absolutely stunning from the very beginning till the very end. By the way, how about mysticism? You can find some in this book. So, Wuthering Heights is definitely gothic, nostalgic, British (but not stereotypically; however, oatmeal porridge is to be found there).
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
This is not only ‘a novel without a hero’ but also ‘a novel without true love’. Sure, there are couples, but just immerse yourself in the witty remarks of the author – and you will get the point. The novel discovers the role of the woman in the relationship as well. My verdict: ironic, merciless, true-to-life.
The Dark Flower by John Galsworthy
Of course, Galsworthy is known first of all for The Forsyte Saga; however, I do recommend you to read The Dark Flower. It might be not so ‘massive’, but the zest of this story is depicting of the evolution of love through the whole life of the man. And not of an ordinary one, but a man of art. Besides, the book is easy to read, because the narration is smooth and full of visual symbols. So, I would say The Dark Flower is a colourful, intimate and mature story.
The Collector by John Fowles
Love or mania? Can a torturer be the victim? – these and many other questions ingenious Fowles brings up in his novel The Collector. Being a good example of postmodern literature, the book astonishes with its structure and style. Believe me, you will not get bored. Indeed, John Fowles knows how to make his reader both reflect on serious subjects and enjoy roaming the maze of his imagination. To cut it short, this book is what one can call shocking, revealing and thrilling.
That is it. Now it is up to you to decide which of the books keeps the true love and which – the fake one.
Leave your comments below and share your ‘loveful to-read list’ with us.
