One of America's most brilliant bloggers, Molly Ivors says that: all women's romance novels are based on either Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, or Pride and Prejudice. Molly reminds me of the sexist mistake behind the famous notion that there are only two stories in all of literature: A Young Man Goes on a Journey and A Stranger Comes to Town.
Me, I was always falling madly in love with the Heathcliffs.
Which women's romance novel are you?
3 comments:
Personally I think Heathcliff is one of the most interesting characters in all literature. We want so to love him, to feel sorry for him, to share his pain. And yet he's so contemptible and hateful that every time we see a glimmer of humanity, he quickly snuffs it out. Many, many authors have tried to duplicate him. Unsuccessfully. I would not want to know him.
Mr. Darcy gets my nod because - gasp - he learns something about himself and his behavior and becomes a better person. So does Elizabeth. I think I've read P&P six times. I know I've read WH six times. Have also read JE at least three times. Maybe it's time to dig out Red Badge of Courage or War and Peace.
What about female literary figures? My first (and enduring) love was Scheherazad. Then there was Scarlet O'hara. How do these fit into the Bronte/Eyre classification?
(I've been readin here for a long time, but I think this is my first comment. Hello everyone. I love this blog)
Would you believe I have been in love w/a guy for about 14 years that is kind of a mix of all three? He's from a modest background (H) and come up in the world to a very haughty point (later H w/a strong dose of D), but though he dangles our actually linking up (we've been friends for ever so long, even over a accidental 7 yr absence) and makes wonderful offers...(well, he does have the largesse to fulfill them, D) but whenever I accept the offer, he runs away like he has a wife in the garret (R)...and then gets surly at me (H). As he has become more successful, he has become more aloof... I don't suppose he will ever reach Darcy's self-realization and modify his odd behavior.
I am rather Elizabeth Bennet myself, "don't talk down to me, sir!" w/a hint of Katie Scarlett O'Hara, but it's too difficult to squeeze the crinoline and hoops in my hatchback and still be able to see to drive...bother! ;)
Elspeth
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