Shaun dragged us into the Valentine's Day trap when he asked the blog chain gang: Who is your favorite literary couple and why? Warning: I am to Valentine's Day what Ebenezer Scrooge was to Christmas before the spirits visited the miserable ol' tight wad.
That doesn't mean a good love story won't make me swoon and sigh.
And no story makes me sigh more than (careful, I'm showing my age here) the 1977 Aussie tale of forbidden love between Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph in "The Thorn Birds" by Colleen McCullough.
To be honest, I saw the mini series on TV long before I read the book. My cousin, Jill, could tell you a really embarrassing story about my fascination with Richard Chamberlain (She better not, but I bet my blog post title made her laugh until she cried). My co-worker, Sheryl, could probably tell you how I fell into a deep depression when Richard Chamberlain broke my heart by coming out of the closet.
Thankfully, I'd read the book and managed to create my own mental image of Meggie and Father Ralph before the man who portrayed him on screen announced his loyalty to the all-male team. (I'm not bitter. Really.)
I can't really explain why Meggie and Father Ralph are my favorite literary couple. I mean, when you really think about it, the story is very twisted and wrong.
After all, Father Ralph is a priest, so he's already "married to God." Very few writers can pull off making a married man a worthy hero.
There's also the fact that Father Ralph watches Meggie grow up. Considering the somewhat recent scandals in the Catholic church, the story has the potential to conjure some pretty heebie-jeebie images.
But I'm a sucker for stories of forbidden love. I'm a sucker for strong, stubborn heroines. And I'm a sucker for stories that leave me with an unsettled, unfinished feeling.
That's what Father Ralph and Meggie give me.
So who is your favorite literary couple?
9 comments:
Haha!!! LMAO I am sure trying to think of something witty to say about the title. Lets just say it is a hot topic. =o)
I've read the book, but I haven't seen the movie. I enjoy stubborn heroines too. ;)
Oooh, The Thorn Birds, it's been a long time since I've read that, and just reading this makes me think it's time for a re-read. Generally I am not a fan of "falling in love with a priest/religious person" type storylines, but for this one I definitely can make an exception.
Oh, gosh, I remember watching the videos...I was so mad at the priest...led on that girl, geez.
I'm going to have to check this out!
I've never read the book but LOVE the miniseries. And my sister and I also love Richard Chamberlain LOL Have you ever seen The Slipper and the Rose? It's a musical version of Cinderella and Richard Chamberlain is the prince. Soooo awesome :D
I do have to admit that this is the first Vday in a while that I haven't Scrooged it up. The romantic in me couldn't help the topic. But I've never read this book and now I need to. But I'm not sure I can get past the squickiness. I couldn't read The Time Traveler's Wife because the time traveler showing up naked and telling the girl they'd eventually be married really icked me out.
OMG Shaun I thought the exact same thing about TTTW. I really liked the idea behind that story, but I had a hard time getting past the adult man grooming a little girl.
First, Shaun, he didn't just "show up naked" and show her his stuff. He was hidden in a bunch of grass, which I'm positive hid everything appropriately. :-p And he didn't convince her to be married to him, he was just a guy and protective of her when he popped in on her when little. Anyway...I LOVE that book so I'm kind of defensive. LOL But, re Thorn Birds. I heard so so much about this book and movie. Really really want to see it and read the book. I'm kind of a sucker for forbidden love too.
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