Subject
Weddings -- Fiction Books
Best books
Else Wildhagen
Trotzkopf's Brautzeit
"Trotzkopf's Brautzeit" by Else Wildhagen is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the spirited and strong-willed character Ilse, who is in a tumultuous relationship with her fiancé Leo Gontrau as they navigate the expectations of marriage and societal norms. Their lively debates explore themes of individuality, rebellion against traditional roles, and the struggles of young love. The opening of the novel presents Ilse and Leo enjoying a light-hearted conversation on a sunny day, which quickly escalates into a heated argument over Ilse's reluctance to conform to social expectations after their marriage. Leo's insistence on maintaining respectability conflicts with Ilse's desire for autonomy, leaving her feeling stifled and angry. As their disagreement intensifies, Ilse makes the impulsive decision to flee to her friend Nellie for comfort, prompting concern among her family and Leo, who are left unaware of her whereabouts. This conflict sets the stage for a narrative exploring the tensions between duty and self-identity, love and control.
Edith Wharton
The Old Maid (The 'Fifties)
"The Old Maid (The 'Fifties)" by Edith Wharton is a novel written during the early 20th century. Set in the affluent New York society of the 1850s, it explores themes of social status, love, and the constraints placed upon women. The narrative introduces key figures, particularly Delia Ralston and her cousin Charlotte Lovell, navigating the expectations and limitations of their time, with a focus on familial relationships and the pressures to conform to societal norms. The opening of the story presents a vivid depiction of New York's upper class, particularly the Ralston family, which embodies both wealth and a strong adherence to tradition. Delia, a young matron, reflects on her marriage, her social standing, and her role within the family. Meanwhile, her cousin Charlotte is grappling with the potential for spinsterhood, made more urgent by her troubled past and a secret that complicates her relationship with societal expectations. As the two cousins interact, the narrative hints at deeper conflicts and emotional struggles, particularly surrounding love, duty, and the sacrifices women make in pursuit of both.
Prosper Mérimée
La Vénus d'Ille
"La Vénus d'Ille" by Prosper Mérimée is a fantastical short story written in 1835 and published in 1837. Set in a small town in the Pyrénées-Orientales, the tale follows an archaeologist who visits a local antiquarian to examine a recently unearthed statue of Venus. The beautiful bronze figure seems to possess a sinister quality, having already caused mysterious accidents. As a wedding approaches, strange incidents multiply around the statue, and an ominous inscription warns: "Beware if she loves you."
Winston K. (Winston Kinney) Marks
Wedding Day
"Wedding Day" by Winston K. Marks is a science fiction story written in the early 1950s. The narrative explores themes of polygamous marriage in a futuristic setting where societal conditions have drastically changed the dynamic between the sexes. The book likely highlights the intricacies of forming emotional and cognitive connections among multiple partners within a shared marital arrangement. The story centers on four women—Polly, June, Doris, and Sue—who are about to marry Hollis Jamison, the sole man among them in a world where men significantly outnumber women. The narrative unfolds on their wedding day, just moments before the ceremony. As they prepare, the women engage in playful arguments and express their individual anxieties regarding the union. They possess a unique connection through telepathy, which reinforces their bond and signifies the unity required for their marriage cell. Despite their different personalities and skills, they have been matched to complement each other, with shared hopes of a future that includes starting a family. The story culminates in the ceremony, where Hollis ceremoniously places rings on each of their fingers, signifying their new life together.
Ross Rocklynne
Cosmic Yo-Yo
"Cosmic Yo-Yo" by Ross Rocklynne is a science fiction novella published in the mid-20th century, specifically during the post-World War II era. The story explores themes of adventure and resourcefulness in space, centering around the quest to transport a uniquely shaped asteroid to fulfill a wealthy client's unconventional request—a wedding venue in the asteroid belt. The plot intertwines elements of romance and rivalry as the characters navigate the challenges posed by both a competing company and unexpected inhabitants on their find. The narrative follows Bob Parker and his partner Queazy, who stumble upon a wedge-shaped asteroid fitting the exact specifications needed by Mr. Andrew S. Burnside for his granddaughter's wedding. However, their plans are complicated by the arrival of Starre Lowenthal, who reveals her claim over the asteroid, leading to confrontations with the unscrupulous Saylor brothers, who also want the asteroid for themselves. As tensions rise, Bob and his companions devise a clever plan that incorporates Bob's expertise to manipulate the asteroid's composition, ultimately thwarting the Saylors and delivering a remarkable twist just in time for the wedding. The story concludes with a playful exploration of love and resourcefulness, highlighting the characters' quick thinking and unexpected collaboration.
F. Anstey
Love Among the Lions: A Matrimonial Experience
"Love Among the Lions: A Matrimonial Experience" by F. Anstey is a comedic novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Theodore Blenkinsop, a bachelor who becomes hopelessly infatuated with a beautiful young woman named Lurana de Castro, the stepdaughter of a professor. As he navigates the challenges of his feelings and societal expectations, he finds himself embroiled in a peculiar plan to wed Lurana in a lion's cage, a notion that reflects both her desire for excitement and his romantic inclinations. The opening of the novel sets the stage for this romantic comedy, introducing Theodore as a tea merchant with limited ambitions who becomes enchanted by Lurana's beauty and fierce spirit. Through a series of humorous encounters, including his misguided venture into an elocution class in hopes of winning her favor, Theodore learns more about Lurana's complex character and her yearning for adventure. As their relationship unfolds, Lurana's audacious proposal to marry in a lion's cage emphasizes her desire to escape ordinary life, while Theodore's growing affection pushes him to entertain the eccentric idea, leading to a whirlwind of comedic potential and societal commentary.
Henry Kitchell Webster
The Corbin necklace
"The Corbin Necklace" by Henry Kitchell Webster is a mystery novel written in the early 20th century. It follows a prominent Midwestern family on the eve of Judith Corbin’s wedding, when an infamous pearl necklace becomes the center of danger, pride, and intrigue. Narrated by a nearby family friend confined with a broken leg, the story watches sharp-eyed young Punch, reluctant bride Judy, their formidable grandmother, their strained mother Victoria, and returning Uncle Alec as a vanished heirloom exposes hidden loyalties and fault lines. The opening of the novel sets the scene: Punch frets that newspapers have announced the pearls as Judy’s wedding gift, the neighbor-narrator sketches the Corbin dynasty and its iron-willed matriarch, and Judy arrives home ambivalent about her marriage to Bruce Applebury. At The Oaks, Punch discovers the safe once left unlocked; tensions flare between Victoria and Mrs. Corbin over who should have the necklace; Judy hints at her grandmother’s morphine use; and Uncle Alec reappears from the Philippines. On the day the guests arrive, Judy abruptly feigns a sprained ankle after a jolting encounter, and that evening Mrs. Corbin invites her to wear the pearls—but the case proves empty, prompting Victoria to urge secrecy while Alec argues for detectives. The party continues: Judy hides a hastily delivered note in a vase, Punch keeps a nocturnal watch, glimpses a man in torn, pale pajamas heading upstairs, and encounters Miss Digby in the hall, until morning brings Punch a sudden idea about where to look, cutting the opening on a taut cliff.
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