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Classic Romance and Modern Romance

on Sep 07, 2022

Romance as a genre has evolved over the centuries to become the fan favorite classic today. From old romantic tales to modern breathtaking paperbacks, romance has significantly shaped our culture across the ages. What started as an idealized version of love stories has now turned into a plethora of a growing universe of stories that leave our hearts shaking.

Here are a few books from the classical and modern eras to jolt you into worlds that would propel you into the plane of love you have never experienced before.

CLASSICS

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's timeless story is about violence and generational conflict between two young lovers who end up dying. It is not simply that the families of Romeo and Juliet disapprove of the lover's affection for each other; instead, the Montagues and the Capulets are on opposite sides in a blood feud and are trying to kill each other on the streets of Verona. In this violent, death-filled world, the story's movement from love at first sight to the union of the lovers in death seems almost inevitable.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

In what may be Dickens' best novel, humble, orphaned Pip is apprenticed to the dirty work of the forge but dares to dream of becoming a gentleman. One day, under sudden and enigmatic circumstances, he has "great expectations." In this gripping tale of crime and guilt, revenge and reward, the compelling characters include Magwitch, the fearful and fearsome convict; Estella, whose beauty is excelled only by her haughtiness; and the embittered Miss Havisham, an eccentric, jilted bride.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights is a wild, passionate story of the intense and almost demonic love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a foundling adopted by Catherine's father. After Mr. Earnshaw's death, Heathcliff is bullied and humiliated by Catherine's brother Hindley and, wrongly believing that his love for Catherine is not reciprocated, leaves Wuthering Heights, only to return years later as a wealthy and polished man. He proceeds to exact terrible revenge for his former miseries.

MODERN

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This love story is very peculiar as it takes a genetic disorder of time travel and turns it into a love story. Henry and Clare are already linked by destiny as their meetings are all jumbled up from different times. First, Clare meets a youthful Henry and confesses to him that she is his wife, but he does not remember. Slowly but steadily, Henry begins traveling across time to meet his future wife over time. Since he cannot stay put in a single time or period, much turbulence between their love occurs that leaves them distraught. But at last, they make it to their marriage and have children until Henry dies, but their love story continues.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be rewritten entirely. Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

This novel will feel familiar if you've ever carried a torch for a colleague (the scandal). Coworkers Lucy Hutton and her sworn nemesis Joshua Templeman have a rivalry as bitter as they come, especially as they compete for the same promotion. At least, it starts that way. But as it unfolds, the banter and the fight keep getting worse, and the romantic tension between the leads only grows. Set in a cut-throat loveless world, can love finally prevail? Read and find out.

CONCLUSION

Romance only begins when fates are crossed. Great romances may be hard to come by, but your hope for a real-life dream should be energized after going through these. Classic or Modern, whatever may be your choice, no one gets left behind. If there are more romance books you want to discuss, please comment below and share them with us.