Ten of the best failed couplings in literature

At the Guardian, John Mullan named ten of the best failed couplings in literature.

One book on the list:

The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford

"Leisured American" John Dowell elopes with the fascinating Florence. On their wedding day they set sail for Europe "in a great gale of wind – the gale that affected her heart". Her doctor suggests that "I had better refrain from manifestations of affection". But Dowell discovers she has been carrying on a vigorous affair with his friend.

Read about all ten failed couplings on Mullan's list.

The Good Soldier also appears on Mullan's list of ten great novels with terrible original titles and the Guardian's list of ten of the best unconsummated passions in fiction.

The Page 99 Test: The Good Soldier.

--Marshal Zeringue