Sunday, July 6, 2008

LIST: Favorite Literary Couples

In honor of literary feline's 10th wedding anniversary, she is having a little contest to give away some books. How generous is that? She wants to know her reader's favorite literary couple. I think this is worthy of a post of its own. Of course, I am not picking one, as the directions clearly state: name as many as you like--sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful. Or maybe that's just me. No Wendy, it is not just you.

First reaction: Anne and Gilbert, of course. I am planning to go see the musical about their love story, so I think they will stay at the top of my list, especially when I am refreshed about all the wonderfulness of Gil and Anne.

Then I read the comments at her blog, musings of a bookish kitty, and was reminded about :
Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series, whose love travels all time.
Laura and Almanzo Wilder from the Little House Books. Their story is based on real lives, so they get an added bonus.
Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are a more recent couple, but they have such a great base in friendship that I think they should definitely make the list.

Of course the Austen fans made their recommendations of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, but I am more a fan of Henry Tilney and Catherine Moreland from Northanger Abbey. I loved Tilney's humor and twinkle in his eye as he gets to know and adore Catherine. Plus he gives up a lot to be with Catherine, while Elizabeth and Mr Darcy still get to be rich; they only lost a bit of pride.

I am trying to think of what books I've read where I love the couple, or they finally get together after the obstacles are removed and I am left in a puddle of tears. Some contenders:

Kerewin and Joe from The Bone People were two people who were better together than separately. They were horrid on their own, but brought out the best, or at least the good, in each other.
Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester: I was certainly rooting for them to get together.
Tommy and Tuppence : I love their adventures and the respect they have for each other's intelligence.


And my list will end with my favorite: Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy, of course. They are so great together and since it is essentially Pride and Prejudice, I love how they break down each other's guard and compliment each other perfectly after all the misunderstandings are solved. And Mark Darcy!

I know I am missing some great couple, but this is a bit of a list for now.

7 comments:

  1. You're so sweet! Thank you so much for posting your response on your blog.

    I didn't know they were making a musical of Anne and Gilbert. How exciting! Do let me know what you think of the show.

    You've listed some wonderful couples. Whenever I think of Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester, I always think of how difficult those Bronte sisters made it for the men.

    I added you into the drawing!

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  2. Thanks for the referral to the contest - what an original idea, and a great way to celebrate an anniversary. :)

    And I completely agree about Jane Eyre and Rochester - I just loved them together.

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  3. I'm reading Bridget Jones Diary now (for the new classic in the classic's challenge). I read it back when it first came out and don't remember any of it. I keep hearing that it's P&P, but honestly I don't see it, and I'm looking for it. I read P&P last year, so it's pretty fresh for me. Perhaps after I finish it'll make sense.

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  4. wendy - Anne and Gilbert is an Island production that has been playing for a few years now. Thye are starting to take it on the road; I believe it's playing in Ontario this summer. I'll write about the play after I see it.

    heather j - your welcome. I only read Jane Eyre last summer and I quite enjoyed it.

    lisa - that first party, Bridget thinks Mark Darcy is kind of proud and snooty at the party (really he's just embarrassed about his reindeer jumper) and he and Bridget do not get on to start with. Mark ends up saving her mother(like Elizabeth's sister) from some embarassment. He's got a girlfriend, but there are lots of misunderstandings between Bridget and her. I'm sure there is more, but Mark and Bridget's pride keep them apart for a long time.

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  5. My first response was also Anne and Gilbert.

    And frankly, Jo and Laurie, even if they never get together.

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  6. Anne and Gilbert. Seriously, you need to say no more!

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  7. I said that I like Rhett and Scarlett. The verbal sparring was entertaining and the sexual undercurrent was always close to the surface. Did that make sense?

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