Classic Romance Novels

A “classic” novel is basically a book that is widely accepted as the pinnacle of good writing and has been so for an extended period of time. Classics can vary widely between genre —such as horror (Bram Stoker’s Dracula) or romance (Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice). Classics also vary between cultures such as Mark Twain’s, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn set in the North American south during 1883, or Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment set in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1866. Classic romance novels are a personal favorite of mine.
           When confronted by such intense books and such a wide variety of choices, it is easy to shy away from classics altogether. However, if you take the right approach and slowly begin to wade into the genre of classic romance novels, a whole new world can open up to you!
  
   Disclaimer: While there are movie adaptations for many classic romance novels, the book is always better than the movie!!!!

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

       Jane Austen is a well-known writer of classic romances for good reason. Pride and Prejudice is a novel about a family of the five Bennet daughters whose mother is eager to marry them all off. The opening line of the novel reflects the mother’s view, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Throughout the novel the reader gets to experience the heart breaks, scandals, and enjoyment of the Bennet sisters, especially Elizabeth and Jane.
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      This novel is appropriate for virtually any age, but is probably of the most interest to ages 12 and up. I would highly recommend checking out this book, as well as Jane Austen’s other novels including Sense and Sensibility  and Emma.

 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame is not quite the same thing.

​Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

      Emily is one of the Bronte sisters who wrote novels and poems in the mid 1800s. This particular novel can be a bit gloomy, and is probably best read on a dark and stormy night.

       Wuthering Heights is written from a very interesting perspective of a tenant on Mr. Heathcliff’s property. The novel is told as this man learns the history of the property as well as experiences for himself the current situation and possible future. This novel is a rollercoaster of emotions including pity for the main character, disgust at his actions, sorrow for decisions, deep feelings of love, and satisfaction at an unpredictable ending.

      Admittedly, this is not a very happy romance, but this novel packs a lot of feelings. I would advise this book for readers over the age of 15 because of some mature thematic elements such as violence. I would recommend checking out this book if you are tired of repetitive story lines!

My Antonia by Willa Cather
          
       Published in 1918, this novel is slightly more contemporary (only 100 years old or so). Like Wuthering Heights, this novel is told from an interesting perspective. A man asks his friend Jim to recount to him all that he remembered about Antonia. Jim then gives his friend a manuscript of all he remembers about the girl, and the story begins.

           Reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird, this novel is from the perspective of an adolescent Jim. He recounts his adventures and growing love for Antonia, a daughter in a Bohemian immigrant family that has come to live near him on the prairie. This book is sweet with surprising twists that truly reflect how life doesn’t always go as planned. Jim’s perspective is romantic and kind, and develops into something more as the story progresses.
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           I would recommend this book for almost any age, but more specifically 14 and older due to one scene regarding birth (though it is not explicit). This is a wonderful classic I would recommend to anyone!

​Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
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           Last but not least is my absolute FAVORITE work of fiction! Just as full of heart as Wuthering Heights, but much less dreary, this book is a wonderful adventure! The novel follows Jane from her youth in an unloving home to a school for girls, and eventually to a job as a governess for Mr. Rochester’s young ward. As the book progresses from place to place and as Jane grows older there is fantastic character development! She learns to deal with tragedy and heartache without lashing out. While Jane is humble, she is strong in her beliefs and fights for what she knows is right. Jane is a heroine throughout the novel and loves more deeply than she was ever loved as a child or young adult. This book may look lengthy, but it is worth every second of reading! There is so much love and strength and perseverance as Jane learns to love the young girl she teaches as well as her foreboding benefactor. There is a surprising twist in this novel that had me in tears. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book and recommend it for all ages! It promotes love, morals, and strength!

These are just a few of so many wonderful classic romance novels that will expand your mind and provide a break from the modern and popular story lines in most new novels.


​Emily