Greatest love story ever written?

[Booknutt]

I wish I was triplets! That way I could get to some of these great   I haven't enjoyed  yet.

[Booknutt]

What about the Outlander series?

 

True love through time is pretty hard to beat.

[The Bibliophagus Beagle]

You'd have to go some to beat Dickens' David Copperfield.

 

Perhaps . . The Odyssey by Homer? Husband and wife reunited after years of tumult and tragedy. Punished by the Gods (no deity likes smart people!) for being smarter than your average Grecian, Odysseus just wants to get home to his wife and son after the Trojan war. He does, eventually, and they all live happily ever after - I'd like to think!

[Anna Begins]

Duh! Gone With the Wind!

[shirley]

A love story that I found to be truly amazing is a relative newby called The Notebook, so lovely I could not stop going on about it.

[Anna Begins]

A love story that I found to be truly amazing is a relative newby called The Notebook, so lovely I could not stop going on about it.

My mom loved the movie and has been after me to read the book!

[shirley]

I have watched the film a few times now, even managed to get hubby to sit through a bit of it with me, as long as he did not talk.

[EnajYelrebmik]

A love story that I found to be truly amazing is a relative newby called The Notebook, so lovely I could not stop going on about it.

 

100% agree! Allie and Noah are the best, such a beautiful story. 

[chaliepud]

A slightly quirky but nevertheless wonderful story of true love is Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger.

[shades]

Of the books I have read I would have to say "Tale of two Cities", Dickens way of telling a story, his way with words may never come our way again.

 

Although in a more modern time "the Notebook" was a wonderful touching story , but I would have to say the making of the movie did nothing to enhance the story.

I kind of wished I never watched the movie. Having recognizable characters play the parts maybe, not sure but something about it spoiled the story a little, for me.

[Litwitlou]

Some of my favorite love stories in books, plays, and short stories, in no particular order.

 

The Merchant of Venice - William Shakespeare

 

Peyton Place - Grace Metalious

 

Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

 

From Here to Eternity - James Jones

 

Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare

 

The Gift of the Magi - O. Henry

 

The French Lieutenant's Woman - John Fowles

 

An American Tragedy - Theodore Dreiser 

 

Beren and Lúthien - J.R.R. Tolkien

 

Tristan and Isolde -  inspired by Celtic legend, particularly the stories of Deirdre and Naoise and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne and Gráinne.

[sasireader21]

While many people would say Romeo and Juliet, that story is more of a satire on young love. For me, Princess Bride is the best romantic story. Not only is there a great romance, but there is action and hilarity - this makes even the people who do not like romances love this book. 

[Titus Groan]

I would say either Wuthering Heights or Great Expectations subjectively speaking. They are not perfect love stories and the couples are flawed but I doubt any real couple isn’t. 

 

Of course I feel I have never in my life really loved someone romantically as I have never met anyone with whom I feel I can properly connect so I doubt I have much author on this. 

[jbob40919]

I think Henry James´s book "A Portrait of a Lady" surely should be considered one of the greatest practical love stories ever written. The protagonist stayed faithful to her husband through real hard times. The book is a masterpiece in its own right!

[Munipenny55]

On 22/07/2009 at 12:26 PM, frankie said:

I would probably say Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities. I've never come across such passionate and unselfish love in any other book I've read. Those of you who have read the book must know who I'm talking about.

Hi

Interesting. I have not tried Dickens yet, apart from at school. That sounds like a good one to start with. 

[briber]

One of my  favourite love story is, Helen Hanff's

84Charing Cross Road.

A story of unrequited love. two people, separated by the Atlantic who never meet but converse by letters. the lady American, brash and forthright. The gentleman, in the full sense of the word with typical English reserve. 

Shoot me down!

As a postscript. her sequel 

Letter From New York. 

is, I think, very good also. a nostalgic trip round London and a visit to the now abandoned 84 Charing Cross Road.