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Mona
Much misjudged Mr Darcy; Francesca Johnson, her love and longing in the Madison County to young Oliver and Jenny working together towards their dreams...true love can sure be found in the pages of the literacy classics!
The ‘official’ day of love seems like just about the right time to remember the characters who took us along on love’s rollercoaster rides...
1 “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”
Love Story, Erich Segal, 1970
The legend goes that there is no one ever in the world who hasn’t cried reading this rather thin novella. Ollie and Jenny find love, only her days are numbered. This love falls short in front of death but brings together – the estranged father and the son. Love means never having to say you’re sorry, our take away from this one that saw a screen adaptation in 1970 and won five Golden Globe Awards, including the Best Screenplay for Erich Segal.
2 “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen, 1813
The dame of the Georgian era gave us this gem and very lovable Mr Darcy. First Impressions was the working title of this classic and the lesson learnt not to judge a book by its cover. Countless screen adaptations – one dedicated solely to this authoress - Austenland (2013). While no match to the book, awkward Bridget Jones and her silly Diary, out favourite of the lot. Oh, yes, we had our own Mr Darcy in Bollywood with very aptly titled Bride & Prejudice (2004).
3 “The human heart has a way of making itself large again even after it’s been broken into a million pieces.”
The Bridges of Madison County, Robert James Waller, 1992
Realities kept the music silent, the dreams in a box in this poignant tale of love and longing. The story has National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid show up in Iowa only to fall in love with much married Francesca Johnson. The lovers couldn’t get together in life but stayed close in their hearts. Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep played the part in 1995 for its screen adaptation.
4 “You are, and always have been, my dream.”
The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks, 1996
Every great love starts with a great story. A summer romance, trial and tribulation, Noah and Allie present a picture of true love. The year 2004 saw Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams playing the part on big screen; a Hindi film Zindagi Tere Naam (2012) and a Bengali film Niyoti, it’s been on a Broadway too.
5 “Thus with a kiss I die.”
Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare, 1595
Now where would you a find person who hasn’t heard of Shakespeare or his classic lovers Romeo and Juliet. Typical star-crossed lovers with families coming in the way of happily after, this one has been told way too many times...
mona@tribunemail.com