Bibliophages Next Theme: Love Overcoming Obstacles (Or Not)

[sub_divided]

We were partially defeated by NaNo last round, but bibliophages will rise from the ashes during Finals month! Yeah!

The theme for this round will be...

LOVE OVERCOMING OBSTACLES (OR NOT)

You'll, er, have to take my word for it. Sorry, when I created that free poll I didn't realize that no one else would be able to see the results

Comments

[tarigwaemir]

Darn, I was going to rec Possession. Oh well, I've included enough others, so I'm just putting Possession in to round off a list.

Name: Tari

Recommendation list:

Romances that failed
1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - In tracking down the author of a mysterious book, the narrator discovers a love story that was successfully obstructed by parental disapproval (and a spoiler revelation).
2. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami - Narrator fails to surmount largely self-imposed obstacles that lie in the way of his love for two girls.
3. Possession by A.S. Byatt - Two researchers uncover a love affair between two Victorian poets. Nice for the theme because one romance doesn't overcome its obstacles while the other does.

Novel of manners/mannerpunk
1. Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton - Your typical Victorian romance except taking place in a dragon society (complete with inheritance operating as dragon cannibalism).
2. Sorcery & Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer- Magical mystery solved by two cousins who in the process meet their romantic matches.
3. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer - The obstacles are mostly internal (characters not realizing they're in love with each other), but I think this is the most charming romance novel I've ever read (admittedly I haven't read many) because of the unlikely romantic hero.