tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365358380568470051.post7254097308312104709..comments2023-05-07T07:41:05.463-07:00Comments on No pens or pencils: Love stories for a leap dayHillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14281480044634094336noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365358380568470051.post-68212085215195047452016-03-05T12:55:28.998-08:002016-03-05T12:55:28.998-08:00George Eliot was a writer I admired very early. Mi...George Eliot was a writer I admired very early. Middlemarch really delves very deftly into relationships. Dorothea, the heroine, gives up a great deal of money for the man she loves at the end after making some regrettable and idealistic decisions, but a doctor in that story has a very miserable life with his frivolous wife. Mill on the Floss by Eliot would also belong nicely on my list.<br /><br />Far From the Madding Crowd does not end miserably, but misery takes up a great part of the middle story. The movie is excellent, really, and the actor who plays Oak in the film version says that his character embodies all the attributes we all want to have, a very selfless and honorable man. Hardy is on this list also because I am astounded by his gift with language and his ability to weave the most basic theological ideas and deep insights on human nature into his storytelling.<br /><br />I understand what you mean about Jane Eyre. I debated about including it though I love it dearly. In the end it was Jane Eyre herself that made me include it. She does not give into her emotions. She follows her moral compass in very difficult and tempting circumstances, risks losing a great deal by protecting her integrity, trusting God. <br /><br />I will have to check out Heyer. Thank you for mentioning her and for commenting here, Jennie!<br />Hillaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14281480044634094336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365358380568470051.post-21134201861391946062016-03-04T03:08:01.302-08:002016-03-04T03:08:01.302-08:00I agree with you heart and soul. I wouldn't ha...I agree with you heart and soul. I wouldn't have chosen all these. I had forgotten about Gabriel Oak, but I have a prejudice against Hardy who always ends miserably. (Does that one end miserably)? And Jane Eyre, too, I liked it less because he had a wife and hid it. But the ending is good. Loved Gaskell and Austen (of course, duh). And Middlemarch - I'm sure I read it, but can't remember it.<br /><br />THESE are what make great romance. By the way, have you ever read Georgette Heyer? True, she was not so much a classicist as the ones you've mentioned, but I love her so much. If you haven't, try Arabella.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12586581766383380976noreply@blogger.com