At this time of year, it is nearly impossible to avoid the constant references to happy couples, romance, flowers and chocolates. There is so much sweetness in the air, it can cause cavities. By the time Valentine’s Day arrives, I usually find myself longing for something much different.
That said, I adore romance and love, especially at this time of year. So what to read? These classic tales of love are a perfect fit—romantic, filled with love, but definitely not happily ever after.
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (F Gre) – the story of an American writer and the bored wife of a British civil servant who fall in love during World War II.
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron (F Sty) – the story of the beautiful Sophie, a holocaust survivor, and her lover who share a Brooklyn boarding house with a young writer.
Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (F Ish) – a story of blind devotion and repressed love between a butler and housemaid.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (F Tol) – a tragic tale of love and adultery in late nineteenth-century Russia.
If you are looking for love and romance without the sugar, these classic tales are sure to hit the spot.
Submitted by Cynthia M. Lambert.