Relationships | 08/01/2008 6:00 am

The Eight Strangest Love Stories Ever

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The most surprising love stories - the word “surprising” being the subjective word. I think the ones chosen are very appropriate to the definition, though I must admit that there were one or two couples listed of whom I am not knowledgeable. I would add to the list: 1) Edward, Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson 2) Ulysses Grant and his wife, Julia. Apparently, a real love match. 3) Frederick Chopin and George Sand 4) John, Duke of Lancaster (son of Edward III) and Katharine Swynford - their story in novel form authored by Anya Seton. Katharine was the sister-in-law of Chaucer. 5) Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine who was married to the King of France when she met the young prince, Henry - their story told in the fabulous play/movie “The Lion in Winter”. 6) Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Canary) and Bill Hickock. A bit of their story was revealed in the Angelica Huston movie Buffalo Girls. 7) F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald - She, in one form or another, is in each of his novels. 8) Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee - California girls meets New York boy and they could not bridge the differences to make their surprising marriage work. Too bad. I will be interested in who else will be named by other participants.

By Bonnie Oliver on 08/01/2008 12:51 am

Bonnie, I can’t believe you mentioned Eleanor of Aquitaine—I was actually named after her. My mother was fascinated by her and is (almost) an ‘Eleanor’ historian—she has read everything ever written about her. She was really an unbelievable woman—especially given the times she lived in. I would add John and Abagail Adams.

By eleanor roche on 08/01/2008 1:37 am

Eleanor - Your mother named you after a woman of destiny and for that you are very lucky. I have a great curiosity about British history and have read quite a bit about Eleanor. Some say she was a villain; others say she one of those women who could change history and did. But as for the name, I again say you are fortunate. My name is a bit too cutesy for me but since my Dad named me, I have not tried to change it. The additon of John & Abigail to the list - good choice.

By Bonnie Oliver on 08/01/2008 3:04 am

Eleanor, I love to read about Eleanor of Aquitaine. I would assume you are familiar with the historical novels written about her and that era by the wonderful author, Sharon Kay Penman. In fact, Time and Chance is in my book queue; I was trying to decide what to read next. This book will concentrate on her marriage to Henry II. Thanks for reminding me…

By Diana T on 08/01/2008 1:40 pm

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Greer Garson and Richard Ney, her son in Mrs Miniver.

By beatriz m on 08/02/2008 4:02 pm

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beatriz m - Of course, that really was a surprise!

By Bonnie Oliver on 08/02/2008 6:12 pm

I am going to go with “Dragonsbane”, by Barbara Hambly. I nominated this once for best use of a title. you have to read the book to know just how clever the title really is. It starts out like your usual “Dungeons and Dragons” type story, and takes a couple plot twists. Then just when you think you’ve almost reached the end, she turns everything on it’s head. It ends up a strangely poignant love story, but you never see it coming.

By Zera Lee on 08/01/2008 2:00 am

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The most surprising? How about Burt and Linda Pugach? If that isn’t surprising, what is? She rejects him, he hires men to throw acid on her face and then she MARRIES him, giving an entirely new meaning to the words “Love is blind.” A horror story, yes, but certainly very very “surprising.”

By Tick Pyne on 08/01/2008 5:27 am

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Erica I totally agree…What a sad and horrible story that was. One would wonder if perhaps she married him out of such intense fear, thinking that she may have felt lucky to have gotten away with her life. And by marring him, was able to stay alive. Makes you wonder what goes on in the minds of people in the middle of such craziness. :)

By HA BIBI on 08/01/2008 7:55 am

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Elaine: “Makes you wonder what goes on in the minds of people in the middle of such craziness.” I don’t want to get too off topic, but I volunteered at a shelter for battered women about twenty years ago. Trying to convince the women that they should not return to the abuser was a challenge. As soon as the bruises started to fade, they start blaming themselves — maybe if I hadn’t done this, maybe if I hadn’t said that. Some do get away from the situation, but they have to have a good support system around them.

By Marjorie C. on 08/01/2008 3:17 pm

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Hi Marjorie, You are so right. The sad thing in all this is the fact that these abusers begin the process of breaking their victims down emotionally. First in isolating them gradually from family/friends. All in an attempt/need for complete control of the enviroment to which the abuser presides. Henceforth, the victim has been completely broken down physcologicaly and is depleted of any or all self esteem. Sadly many/most have children and are dependant on the abuser for their financial survival. Therefore the catch 22 of feeling the need to return to the abuser. It’s so sad as well to know that so many city/state funding is in such a crisis, that available resources are being depleted or quite simply, no longer existant. And the worst thing is the victim feels completely responsible for all that has happened, kind of like the “Honey,I fried the wrong egg.” :)

By HA BIBI on 08/01/2008 6:29 pm

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Elaine: “… so many city/state funding is in such a crisis, that available resources are being depleted or quite simply, no longer existant.” Everything is a donation it seems, from the underground-railroad kind of clandestine operation that depends totally on reliable volunteers, to someone donating cases of sanitary products, food, clothing, linen, the shelter itself. For every paid staff member there are probably two volunteers. As you know, domestic violence is incredible damaging and quite deadly.

By Marjorie C. on 08/03/2008 7:14 am

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You’re right about the donation part as well. I suppose that if big government knew how to budget as well as had the insight as to the real needs of so many, we would’nt be having these concerns. I myself, have had on many occassions been fortunate and blessed in being able to donate clothing/supplies to womens shelters. Here through out Chicago not only do they have drop off bins for donation purposes, they have specific bins seperately for local womens shelters. When I lived in california, the local womens shelter was of course ran primararly by voulenteers,there was some governmental funding involved and was primarily for operational purposes, i.e. the housing end of it. I have watched several different news programs where it seems as late, that funding for so many needed facilities, not only womens shelters but drug rehab venues as well, are closing left and right as they are unable to aquire further city or state funding and have now had to rely solely on donations from the private sector. And with the economy in such an upheavel, the personal donations by private sector individuals has not been enough for many to remain open. So many people that need help and not knowing where to turn, sad.

By HA BIBI on 08/03/2008 9:53 am