Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Ten of the best examples of unrequited love

At the Guardian, John Mullan named ten of the best examples of unrequited love in literature.

One book on the list:
Middlemarch by George Eliot

All sorts of love problems in this book, but the most poignant is almost hidden. The wise and liberal local vicar, Mr Farebrother, loves blunt, strong-minded Mary Garth. Yet, inexplicably (but just like life) she loves feckless Fred Vincy. Like Roger Carbury, Farebrother is condemned to help his competitor gain his beloveds hand.
Read about the other nine examples of unrequited love on Mullan's list.

Middlemarch also made Mullan's list of the ten best funerals in literature.

Are you a little unsettled for not having read Middlemarch? So are John Banville and Nick Hornby.

--Marshal Zeringue