Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Favorite Literary Couple

To celebrate one of the most beloved romance stories ever written (and England's favorite book of all time), Pride & Prejudice, (and a little holiday coming up on Thursday), we want to tell you about our favorite literary couples.



Mine is Ron and Hermione from the Harry Potter series. And I'm the first to admit that I probably would not squee over them half as much if they hadn't been translated into film. Actually seeing them made them that much more lovable.
I think what makes me love them so much is the build-up. For years we wondered. We get to see their relationship develop, from awkwardly competitive (Hermione's talents lie in academic pursuits, whereas Ron's are more rooted in abstract concepts like courage and loyalty) to witty banter to finally admitting that yes, they really are meant to be together.
Some people thought Hermione would wind up with Harry, which I thought was preposterous. I appreciated the scene where Hermione and Harry dance in the tent in the last film so much because they are just perfect friends.
And of course, who didn't cheer when they saw Ron and Hermione kiss, finally? Well, I did. And most of the people in the theater with me did. And I still do, but more quietly.


One of my favorite things about them, though, is the fact that their Patronuses match. Hermione's Patronus is an otter, which belongs to the same family as weasels (like Weasley). Too much of a stretch? Ron's is a Jack Russell terrier, a breed of dog known for chasing otters. We learn about their Patronuses during the DADA lessons Harry teaches to Dumbledore's Army in Order of the Phoenix, long before we get stronger hints to their relationship.

So, usually I would pick Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett as my favorite couple.  But since we're hearing about them in HOARDS this week, I'll refrain.  And there is a sadistic part of me that wants to say, "OMG!  Edward and Bella, of course!", but I won't do that either.  Mainly because we know it isn't true.


Will and Lyra, from Pullman's His Dark Materials series, are just about the cutest couple in the history of mankind.  And the best part?  It's not the romance that I inevitably love about them: it's their adventures and their friendship and watching them both grow. 

Will doesn't actually show up until The Subtle Knife.  That's when he passes from his world into an intermediary world, where he meets Lyra.  They save people and explore this strange world and figure out so much about each other.  They meet all sorts of people along the way and, inevitably, fight to save every world.

While they do link up romantically in the final book (which, there is a lot of controversy surrounding it), it's what happens at the end of The Amber Spyglass that tugs at your heart the most.  I won't tell you what happens, because that would just spoil everything, but it's tragic and heartwarming and moving and basically embodies their entire friendship.

3 comments:

  1. So...it's not directed at quite as young an audience as HP and His Dark Materials, but have you guys read any of Richelle Mead's stuff? She writes adult and teen, and if you haven't read it you should check it out. The couples thing made me think of it because she has two that I like, and she just released another book yesterday.

    For non-kid lit I'd probably choose Phèdre nó Delaunay and Joscelin Verreuil from Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel books. Also, Jacqueline Carey is an awesome person, too. :) Her FB page is one of my favorite fan ones.

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    1. You know, I have almost the whole Kushiel series sitting on my shelf (I think you gave it to me when you were trying to get rid of books), and I still haven't gotten around to reading it. I really should, because I've heard nothing but good things.

      I've never read Mead's stuff, but I have seen the Vampire Achedemy books around. Honestly, I usually just pass them over because they look like a mix of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries (both terrible.) But now I might pick one up.

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    2. Heh, I forgot I commented here.

      I initially read them because someone gave me one of her adult books, which drew me into the rest of her stuff. VA is not Twilight-y at all. The heroines are strong and vibrant people, and the characterization is really good. She also addresses things like sex and drugs in a good way, without pretending like they aren't issues that teens face. I was pleasantly surprised by all her books, AND she finishes series.

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