Subject
Man-woman relationships -- Fiction Books
Best books
Charles Dickens
Great Expectations
"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens is a novel first published serially from 1860 to 1861. The story follows Pip, a young orphan living with his sister and her blacksmith husband on England's coastal marshes. After a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict and strange visits to the bitter Miss Havisham and her cold adopted daughter Estella, Pip's life transforms when he mysteriously receives a fortune from an unknown benefactor. This bildungsroman explores wealth and poverty, love and rejection, through vivid characters and dramatic scenes that have captivated readers for generations.
Coningsby Dawson
The Raft
"The Raft" by Coningsby Dawson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of love, marriage, and the struggles faced by young women in a society that restricts their freedom and opportunities. The story follows Jehane, a 25-year-old woman, who is filled with desperation over her single status and her longing for love and companionship as she navigates her circumstances in the backdrop of Oxford. The opening portion introduces us to Jehane and her best friend, Nan Tudor, as they lament their unmarried state during their time at Oxford, observing the carefree lives of the male undergraduates. As they discuss their romantic ideals and the longing for marriage, we see the stark contrast between their dreams and the reality of their lives, particularly Jehane's deep-seated anxiety about possibly becoming an old maid. Their conversation foreshadows the arrival of William Barrington, a man from their past who rekindles old friendships—and perhaps new possibilities—while highlighting Jehane's internal conflicts about her own desires and self-worth. The opening sets the stage for a tale of unfulfilled dreams and the complexities of relationships, shedding light on societal expectations placed upon women during that era.
Thomas Hardy
Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman
"Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman" by Thomas Hardy is a novel published in 1891. When a poor country girl discovers her family descends from an ancient noble line, she's sent to claim kinship with wealthy relatives. There she encounters Alec d'Urberville, whose attentions lead to tragedy. Later, working as a milkmaid, Tess finds love with Angel Clare, but her past haunts their future. Set in rural England, this story challenged Victorian morality and explores innocence, guilt, and the harsh judgments society places on women.
Anatole France
The Red Lily — Complete
"The Red Lily — Complete" by Anatole France is a novel published in 1894. It tells the story of a beautiful French countess trapped in a loveless marriage who becomes entangled with two men—first accepting devotion she doesn't fully return, then discovering true passion with a sculptor. When her past liaison surfaces, jealousy threatens to destroy the love she cherishes most. Set against the backdrop of Florence and Paris, this romantic drama explores the complications of love, truth, and forgiveness.
abbé Prévost
Manon Lescaut
"Manon Lescaut" by Abbé Prévost is a novel first published in 1731. It tells the tragic love story of a young nobleman and a common woman who choose to live together unmarried, beginning a moral descent into gambling, fraud, and crime. Their passionate relationship leads them from Paris to imprisonment and ultimately to deportation in New Orleans. Narrated retrospectively by the Chevalier des Grieux, this confessional tale shocked eighteenth-century readers with its realistic depiction of society's underbelly and became one of French literature's most reprinted classics.
Ernest Hemingway
A farewell to arms
"A farewell to arms" by Ernest Hemingway is a novel first published in 1929. Set during World War I's Italian campaign, it follows American lieutenant Frederic Henry, who serves in the Italian ambulance corps. When he meets English nurse Catherine Barkley, a passionate love affair develops against the brutal backdrop of war. As battle intensifies and their relationship deepens, the lovers face devastating choices that will test whether their bond can survive the chaos surrounding them.
Rupert Hughes
What Will People Say? A Novel
"What Will People Say?" by Rupert Hughes is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows the story of Lieutenant Harvey Forbes, a young soldier recently returned from the Philippines, as he navigates the vibrant yet perplexing world of New York City. In particular, the narrative focuses on his fascination with the beauty and allure of women in high society, especially a mysterious woman he encounters while exploring Fifth Avenue. The book appears to delve into themes of love, social expectations, and the complexities of human interactions in a rapidly changing urban environment. At the start of the story, Lieutenant Forbes observes the bustling streets of New York and reflects on his time away. He becomes enthralled by the parade of women, with his attention fixed on one captivating figure adorned with a striking hat. As he attempts to catch a glimpse of her face, he experiences a mix of admiration and envy, propelling him into a quest to uncover her identity. The narrative introduces the contrasts between lavish city life and personal conflict as Forbes assesses the seemingly effortless interactions among the well-to-do, all while grappling with his own emotions and the implications of what love and desire entail in such a dynamic society.
Murasaki Shikibu
The tale of Genji
"The tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu is a classic work of Japanese literature written in the early 11th century. Often considered the world's first novel, it depicts the lives of high courtiers during the Heian period. The story follows Hikaru Genji, the emperor's son demoted to commoner status, through his romantic encounters and later years. The narrative continues with his descendants, weaving together hundreds of characters across multiple generations in this monumental work of court life and forbidden love.
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev
The Torrents of Spring
"The Torrents of Spring" by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is a novella written between 1870 and 1871. This highly autobiographical work follows young Russian landowner Dimitry Sanin, who experiences his first overwhelming love while visiting Frankfurt. When a beautiful Italian woman named Gemma seeks his help with her fainting brother, Sanin's life takes an unexpected turn. Though Gemma is engaged to another man, powerful emotions begin to surface. The story explores passionate love, fateful choices, and memories that haunt across decades.
Henry Kitchell Webster
The Real Adventure
"The Real Adventure" by Henry Kitchell Webster is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book follows the lives of various characters, particularly focusing on Rosalind Stanton and her complex relationships as she navigates her journey towards self-discovery, romance, and the societal expectations of her time. Through her interactions with the professor, her family, and her peers, themes of love, ambition, and personal growth begin to unfold. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to a professor's lecture, where Rosalind, amused by his facetious advice about marriage, becomes the focal point of his attention. Despite his irritation at her distraction, it’s evident that she captivates him. Following the class, she leaves with a sprightly demeanor, contrasting the previous weightiness of the academic atmosphere. As she heads home, she experiences a confrontational but enlightening moment with a streetcar conductor, ultimately leading to an unexpected connection with Rodney Aldrich, a man who appears to share her spirited outlook on life. This pivotal encounter sets the stage for the evolving dynamics between the characters and their respective adventures, both romantic and intellectual.
Charles Reade
A Woman-Hater
"A Woman-Hater" by Charles Reade is a novel written during the mid-19th century. This work delves into themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly highlighting the struggles of its central character, Ina Klosking, a talented singer. As she grapples with sorrow and betrayal in her romantic life, the narrative unfolds in an engaging exploration of societal expectations and personal aspirations. The opening of the book introduces the characters in a hotel in Homburg, where two strangers are absorbed in their own concerns. Ina Klosking is revealed to be on a quest to find her absent lover, whose jealousy and gambling have caused a rift in their relationship. Simultaneously, Joseph Ashmead, a theatrical agent, is desperately searching for a replacement for a sick singer. Their paths converge as Ashmead recognizes Ina and eagerly engages her in conversation, which prompts her to open up about her heartbreak. The dynamic between the two characters sets the stage for a complex interplay of emotions as Ina navigates her tumultuous feelings and Ashmead proposes to help her reclaim her life and career.
D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence
Lady Chatterley's lover
"Lady Chatterley's Lover" by D. H. Lawrence is a novel first published privately in 1928. The story follows Constance Chatterley, an upper-class woman trapped in a passionless marriage to her paralyzed husband, who begins an affair with Mellors, the estate's working-class gamekeeper. Their relationship challenges rigid social boundaries and explores the essential connection between physical desire and emotional fulfillment. The novel's explicit content sparked worldwide obscenity trials and bans, becoming one of the most controversial works of the twentieth century.
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