02/14/2010 12:00 am
Culture
The Most Romantic Books I've Ever Read, by Roxanne J. Coady
Editor’s Note: Roxanne J. Coady founded R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT, in 1989 after leaving her job as national tax director at a New York-based international accounting firm. Roxanne is the co-editor, with Joy Johannessen, of The Book That Changed My Life. She is also the founder and president of Just the Right Book. Visit R.J. Julia at www.rjjulia.com.
Last week my husband Kevin and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. Coming just a few weeks before Valentine’s Day each year, our anniversary always puts me in the mood for love a bit ahead of everyone else. Also, at this time of year dozens of people ask me for recommendations of books to give as gifts to their Valentine. "What’s the most romantic book you’ve ever read," they often ask. Love, being a many splendored thing, lends itself to many a splendid book, and I have five to recommend. Here they are: 
1. My Mistress’s Sparrow is Dead: Great Love Stories, from Chekhov to Munro, edited by Jeffrey Eugenides, is about the complexities of love — betrayal, lost love, lost opportunities, heartbreak — as well as the more joyful aspects that we celebrate on Valentine’s Day. Looking back on 40 years of marriage, I know I’m lucky to see a preponderance of happiness marking those years, but if I drew them as a bar graph I’d have to include the ups and downs that we also experienced. I think that’s true with most couples, and it’s why I don’t favor love stories about boys and girls (or men and women) who fall in love and live happily ever after. This book really delivers.
2. Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov. This may trouble some people, so let me explain. A few years ago I re-read Lolita and I was struck by how it made me reflect on the dimensions of love, not just the story of an older man seducing a young girl. Maybe it was the distance of so many years – I first read the novel as a young woman – but my reaction in later life was completely different. Give it a try and let me know what you think. In essence this is a book about what love means to people, and that’s why it’s such a great discussion book. Here’s an idea: Host a couple’s book club and invite your closest friends. You’ll be amazed at what happens. Ours was among the liveliest book group meetings I’ve ever had.
3 & 4. Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and The Lover, by Marguerite Duras. Both of these novels are set in foreign lands – the Marquez in South America and the Duras in Indochina – and each has that wonderful quality of magical realism. When I think about these books I can perfectly imagine the lushness of the settings in each. What I love about them is the physical atmosphere they conjure and how the richness of the writing adds to the sensuality of the relationships they describe.
5. Silk, by Alessandro Baricco. This is a lyrical, sensual novella that’s set in 1861 in Japan and France. It’s the best read-aloud book I can think of, and what could be more fun than curling up with your Valentine and reading to each other? There’s something so old-fashioned and lovely about reading aloud, and also something so unselfish. A nice bottle of wine won’t hurt either.
I wish you and yours a wonderful, romantic Valentine’s Day.
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The Brontes - of course. Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights,
DeMaurier — Rebecca.
Kazuo Ishiguro — Remains of the Day.
And - as bookstores have DVDs now - definitely the stand-out will always be BRIEF ENCOUNTER. I can practically recite it!
As you would know, I have more … but for now …
"Remains of the Day," an excellent novel, was made into such a superb film that I must say, the book took second place. The same could be said for "Bridges of Madison Country" that Belinda mentions below. "Rosemary’s Baby," "The Godfather"––both mediocre novels––were made into memorable films. And Joan, yes, our love for "Brief Encounter"–––magic.
As for romantic novels, one of my favorites, although more lustful than romantic, is Updike’s "Couples."
The suggestion for "Silk" is perfect. I gave that as a gift years ago and the thin, beautiful cover jacket with its deep purple, is so appealing.
Ohhh Phyllis …what is it that we think alike as we do?? I did not want to ruin a book listing in the wee hours with saying that YES! I gaven my daughter the DVD of Remains of the Day for Christmas as it doesn’t have a bad moment and yes, IS so much better than the book. And I did not say - but will - that books, non-fiction or fiction - whose love stories often take their place in letters sweep me off my feet. I believe when we think we are writing to a single person as our mail used to be - letters that could not be copied so readily — we spilled it all. In fact, at home we have two separate boxes of letters - his and hers - between my husband-to-be and myself in all the times we were separated during courtship. They look slightly scorched but that was par for the course back then. Never opened. Which brings me to my personal favorite which is Bridges of Madison County… as it portrays middle-age love WITH letters. And Phyl, you are so right, that movie was so perfect that I can remember the scenes in the kitchen dancing to that wonderful music, the bath, and then her hand on the door - almost leaving her husband and then not - as if it were yesterday. I won’t say no to lust, but I would rather have less and let my own imagination flow — just like the classic movies.
I will get Silk — that is new to me … which I have a hard time believing to be honest.
The most romantic book (and movie) for me would be The Bridges of Madison County.
It speaks to a passionate love that I believe most women want but we know we’ll probably never have. I’m not one that believes in love at first sight, but I do believe in a deep level of chemistry for someone you meet face to face for the first time. That inexplicable something that draws you to them.
And in this book Waller does an excellent job at writing about passion and desire in a way that makes the reader hang on his every word, I love this book. Hmmm….I think I know what I will watch this Valentine’s Day. :-D
Happy Valentine’s Day Joan!
I know it is my favorite scene of the entire movie. As a fan Bridges of Madison County, I thought it would give you a warm feeling as well.Have a great weekend. ~ Belinda Joy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaMST_hNUVQBelinda … you have given me a gift of gifts with the sharing of this scene. It makes me think, it makes me cry each time — and I find myself there, emotionally. I have so many thoughts, but we make choices in life for an assortment of reasons - sometimes selfless — but it doesn’t mean that those moments are not with us forever. Has any other scene had this same kind of intensity or has been done so well? I don’t think so. That scene of them dancing in the kitchen - the music - melts me. So you know I am the ultimate romantic — but then you are also.
I am hoping that you will have moments upcomings that are wonderful!!!! Joan
The Great Gatsby - The romance of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Fay Buchanan is explored twice by Fitzgerald. The first time is only through dialogue and description of the time when a young World War I officer and Daisy meet and fall in love, he desperately and she fearfully. The second time, Fitzgerald allows his readers to briefly feel the romantic passion of his characters for each other …. but that, too, is only for a few days before self inflicted wounds and fear doom the lovers.
A Tale of Two Cities - Perhaps not a great choice for physical romance but no greater lover existed in fiction that does Sydney Carton.
The Bucanneers - by Edith Wharton. Her unfinished novel of two young people who discover love only to dampen their passion while she marries elsewhere and he builds his fortune. Later they are reunited and the author guides her characters through rigid Victorian England where their passion might be allowed but never openly. They attempt to live by the rules of society and man but soon their passion sweeps them both into actions for which there is no turning back.
I’ve only seen the movie The Mill on the Floss but absolutely loved it. Reading the synopsis makes me want to read it. Passion yes!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mill_on_the_Floss
And of course, the most seductive book of all time, Dracula.