Some of the most in depth novels, novels that demand attention and encourage the reader to anticipate moving to the next chapter, are the classic romance novels. This essay touches on only a few of them but certainly provides the reader with a basis to begin reading. The authors of these in depth studies of human nature engage the reader almost immediately with well-depicted characters, engaging plots, and themes that remain relevant today.
Wuthering Heights, published by Emily Bronte1847, is my favorite of the classic romance novels. The love between Heathcliff and Catherine, the two main characters, is intense and consuming. Bronte’s descriptions, her characters, and settings, are spellbinding and not soon forgotten.
Wuthering Heights 1992 DVD
Madame Bovary, the novel written in 1857, is by the French novelist, Gustave Flaubert. The plot revolves around Madame Bovary, who, both unhappy in and bored with her marriage, seeks relationships with other men. Because the subject matter of the novel deals with transgressions that were unspeakable and obscene to mid 19th century France, Flaubert was attacked for his outrageous work and was summoned to trial and finally acquitted. This proved to be both unfortunate and fortunate for the Flaubert. The novel, because of the publicity, became even more desirable to the masses and, as a result, it became a best seller in 1857, the same year it was published
Madame Bovary 1992 DVD
To understand the characters and setting in Thomas Hardy’s novels, it is necessary for the reader to understand “naturalism” or “naturalistic writing”. Naturalism embodies the idea that humans struggle in an indifferent world in a futile attempt to exercise free will, which to the naturalist is nonexistent. Although naturalism does not deny the existence of God, it does depict God as a superfluous force not concerned with man’s needs and desires. The universe to the naturalist is a vast machine that moves on and is virtually indifferent to man’s struggles or needs. Hardy’s themes illustrate the indifference of nature to the struggles of man.
Both Tess of the D’Ubervilles published 1891 and Return of the Native published in 1878 dealt with what was considered to be controversial subject matter and although they became popular reading, he initially had some difficulty getting them published.
Return of the Native 1994 DVD Tess of the Dubervilles 1998 DVD
Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte in 1847, is the story of an English orphan, 10 years of age at the start of the novel. The main character’s journey separates itself into 5 distinct stages during the course of the novel as she advances from childhood into adulthood. This story, just as does Great Expectations, has as one of its major themes the injustices of social class prejudices as they existed in England at the time.
Jane Eyre DVD 1996
Great Expectations was written by Charles Dickens and published in 1861. This romantic novel is narrated in retrospect by Pip, the main character. The story spans Pip's journey from childhood into manhood and the plot line centers around his undying love for Estella . The novel is filled with a myriad of interesting, colorful, and unforgettable characters. The description of each character is in detail and by the close of the novel, it is as if the characters’ journeys have been yours as well.
Great Expectations 1998 DVD
What makes these novels reach beyond a specific literary period is their unforgettable characters, unique situations and intriguing plots. The themes deal with universal truths and so they are timeless. The major characters seek to rise above what is too often a hostile environment and move on to fulfill their dreams and expectations.
If you enjoy reading and are looking to lose yourself in novels dealing with intense romance, unforgettable characters, and highly descriptive passages, then I highly recommend you begin with these.
