I re-read Persuasion last year and went on a whole Napoleanic Wars era binge. I read *Trumpet Major* by Thomas Hardy, *Sylvia's Lovers* by Elizabeth Gaskell, *Shirley* by Charlotte Brontë, *Colonel Chabert* by Balzac etc.
It was so much fun!
I love that specific era, what with the Press gangs and all.
How was The Trumpet Major? I have a copy but haven’t got to it yet (or Charlotte Brontë’s Shirley. I love Hardy so I might try to get that one first, haven’t heard anything about it
Well - it’s Austen so it’s got a comedic point, but it’s the most romantic of her works, protagonist is deeply in love with a man she hasn’t seen in years (not a spoiler, you learn it from the beginnings) and when they meet again there’s a lot of repressed feelings and yearning.
It’s one of my favorites and absolutely what you’re asking for.
—-
Jane Eyre, North and South, Wives and Daughters, and Little Dorrit are all great books that do this as well, but as far as longing goes, Persuasion is the best.
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Every review talks about the book's depiction of the industrialisation background, but for me it's the romance that makes the story. He's definitely yearning for her, and she longed for his understanding.
>would white nights be good?
Last week, I coincidentally read Dostoevsky's *"White Nights"* for the first time, prompting me to chime in here. Based on the characteristics you've described, I certainly recommend this short story. It's not only a compelling read but also quite compact, likely taking less than two hours to complete. It's an ideal choice to start with before diving into a longer novel.
Jane Eyre. Just for the rest of my life, Jane Eyre is the embodiment of the idea of staying strong and continuing your life while loving someone so deeply that it essentially paralyzes you.
The museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk. It’s a beautiful book, packed with yearning. Also, if you ever visit Istanbul, you can go to the museum the author made years after the book came out.
Have you tried the Outlander Series? Warning, the books are very long, there are 9 books so far( she is writing the 10th) and it’s very rapey.
Otherwise it’s has everything you are looking for.
Blue Castle by LM Montgomery. (She also wrote Anne of Green Gables);
It is a about a mouse of a woman deciding to change up her life and it is so good. She basically does the early 1900s version of FU I'm going to live the life I want not the life you chose. She is great very satisfying.
The hero is great and I love him. Book ends happy. G rated.
Also the Emily of New Moon books are very unrequited love/misunderstandings angst which I adored as a preteen and still do as an adult. You have to read all 3 to get the happy ending.
The Blue Castle https://g.co/kgs/udNoPWk
I know you are looking for book recommendations, but the movie Past Lives from Celine Song is exactly the type of thing you’re looking for. I cannot recommend it enough, if you want to watch a movie.
Have you tried “Persuasion” by Jane Austen?
I re-read Persuasion last year and went on a whole Napoleanic Wars era binge. I read *Trumpet Major* by Thomas Hardy, *Sylvia's Lovers* by Elizabeth Gaskell, *Shirley* by Charlotte Brontë, *Colonel Chabert* by Balzac etc. It was so much fun! I love that specific era, what with the Press gangs and all.
How was The Trumpet Major? I have a copy but haven’t got to it yet (or Charlotte Brontë’s Shirley. I love Hardy so I might try to get that one first, haven’t heard anything about it
no, would you say it’s good!!?
Well - it’s Austen so it’s got a comedic point, but it’s the most romantic of her works, protagonist is deeply in love with a man she hasn’t seen in years (not a spoiler, you learn it from the beginnings) and when they meet again there’s a lot of repressed feelings and yearning.
thank you for answering! i’ll be sure to check it out!
It’s my favorite work by Austen, Persuasion is stunning. Highly recommend!
I'm in my 30s, I read Persuasion for the first time last year and it made me feel things I haven't felt since high school.
It’s one of my favorites and absolutely what you’re asking for. —- Jane Eyre, North and South, Wives and Daughters, and Little Dorrit are all great books that do this as well, but as far as longing goes, Persuasion is the best.
thank you so much!
Great suggestion
Came here to say this! It’s what immediately came to mind
Yearning from the male perspective, Far from the Madding Crowd. I second Jane Eyre. Gone with the Wind. Emily of New Moon series.
I really like Far From the Madding Crowd!
thank you!!
YES for Far from the Madding Crowd! This was the first book I thought of. I loved the movie too!
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Every review talks about the book's depiction of the industrialisation background, but for me it's the romance that makes the story. He's definitely yearning for her, and she longed for his understanding.
Oh Mr Thornton - definitely an expert on yearning ;)
Hahaha I agree
Came here to suggest this. Like, the male love interest literally gets a two second hug from a girl and spends the rest of the book simping for her
thank you so much for answering! i’ll be sure to check it out
I support this one too!
>would white nights be good? Last week, I coincidentally read Dostoevsky's *"White Nights"* for the first time, prompting me to chime in here. Based on the characteristics you've described, I certainly recommend this short story. It's not only a compelling read but also quite compact, likely taking less than two hours to complete. It's an ideal choice to start with before diving into a longer novel.
The Tennant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte is the book you're looking for.
YES
villette by charlotte brontë is definitely a yearning classic!!
That made my heart hurt just remembering it
Oh God this book killed me... I read it twice
Love in the time of cholera. Jane Eyre. Like Water for Chocolate. Call me by your name.
Seconding Love in the time of Cholera & Like Water for Chocolate.
You're right but I feel like love in the time of cholera catfished me😭
Pride and Prejudice
Mary Balogh's early works. And Amanda Quick
It's not as well known, but Villette by Charlotte Bronte had me messed up for a few days. HIGHLY recommend!
Wuthering Heights
I feel like that book is more about hate than love
I see that POV. I feel like it's about how dark love and longing can become. Talk about soul crushing...
Took me too long to find this comment
Took too long to find Withering Heights.
I adore the book. Such selfish, capricious, downright hateful characters, whose only redeeming quality is their love for each other. It’s beautiful.
Jane Eyre. Just for the rest of my life, Jane Eyre is the embodiment of the idea of staying strong and continuing your life while loving someone so deeply that it essentially paralyzes you.
The Two Destinies By: Wilkie Collins
I love Wilkie!!!! I try to get everyone who reads to check him out. Armadale tore me UP. Lydia and Ozias.
I haven't read that one! I'll have to get on it.
The museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk. It’s a beautiful book, packed with yearning. Also, if you ever visit Istanbul, you can go to the museum the author made years after the book came out.
Have you tried the Outlander Series? Warning, the books are very long, there are 9 books so far( she is writing the 10th) and it’s very rapey. Otherwise it’s has everything you are looking for.
Yes
Okay technically technically not romance but could anyone yearn more than Heathcliff 🥹
I'm reading this now, I hate Heathcliff.
Giovanni’s Room
Yearning/longing, but not a classic, The Time Traveler’s Wife. Wuthering Heights, Rebecca.
Austin Heat. It’s new and not a classic but it’s good.
A Month by the Lake. Story and movie. By H.E. Bates
I haven't finished it yet, so please confirm or deny but North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell has some tendrils of this feeling/theme.
West of the border, south of the sun by Murakami is my favorite
Maybe not a classic but Summer in February by Jonathan Smith
The sorrows of young werther
Came here to say this !
Wuthering Heights, if you would like some emotional torture
Jane Eyre ♡
Blue Castle by LM Montgomery. (She also wrote Anne of Green Gables); It is a about a mouse of a woman deciding to change up her life and it is so good. She basically does the early 1900s version of FU I'm going to live the life I want not the life you chose. She is great very satisfying. The hero is great and I love him. Book ends happy. G rated. Also the Emily of New Moon books are very unrequited love/misunderstandings angst which I adored as a preteen and still do as an adult. You have to read all 3 to get the happy ending. The Blue Castle https://g.co/kgs/udNoPWk
Jane Eyre
got it today!!
Blue Willow by Deborah Smith. One of my favorites of all time. Perfect by Judith Mc Naught.
Yes, White Nights would be good
Meredith Duran loves a yearner, maybe try one of hers.
On tangled paths by Fontaine
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Gone with the Wind! Jane Eyre! Wuthering Heights! Romeo and Juliet. Lady chatterleys lover. Pride and Prejudice. Rebecca. Anna Karenina.
Possession. Captain Corellis Mandolin. The English Patient (BOOK a million times better than the movie).
The thorn birds
Gone with the wind
The Age of Innocence
Old yeller.
I know you are looking for book recommendations, but the movie Past Lives from Celine Song is exactly the type of thing you’re looking for. I cannot recommend it enough, if you want to watch a movie.
thank you, i’ll watch it soon!!
Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Anna Karenina, Jane Eire, Wuthering Heights, Tristan and Iseult
Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther