I don’t read a lot of romance, but when I do I like to be swept off my feet. Who doesn’t, right? These books made into movies will not disappoint! Their timeless love stories and grand romantic gestures will inspire the romantic in you this Valentine’s Day.
My top 5 grand romantic gestures from books and movies are listed below. If you haven’t read the book or seen the movies, I recommend you check them out! They are a perfect Valentine Day’s treat.
Number 5 – Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
In this book/film, our nameless heroine “stands by her man” even as he stands trial for murdering his first wife. The body of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, is found by accident at the bottom of the lake near their beautiful house Manderly. The trouble is Maxim had already identified a body and buried it in the family crypt a year ago. Even in the face of the unknown, his new wife’s love remains constant and Maxim is finally able to lay to rest the ghosts of his past.
Number 4 – Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Rhett Butler, arguably the most dashing, manly protagonist in literary history, is softened only by his love for the headstrong and beautiful Scarlett O’Hara. His tough and rakish exterior is completely undone as he works to win her affection anyway that he can, even by indulging in her more mercenary whims. Scarlett, devastated by all that she’s lost in the war, asks Rhett for the biggest, most elaborate house in Atlanta, and Rhett succumbs, even restoring Tara, her childhood home, in the process.
Despite his generous nature and grand gestures, Scarlett does not appreciate what she has and in the end, the two are separated. But, after all, tomorrow is another day…
Number 3 – Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
When the beloved Matthew passes, Marilla and Anne are left bereft. With Marilla’s eyesight becoming more and more of a problem, it is unclear if they can keep Green Gables after Anne leaves to teach in another town. Should Anne give up her dream of becoming a teacher and continuing her education to stay and help Marilla so they can keep their home?
This problem is solved when the handsome and steadfast Gilbert gives up his hard-earned teaching position in Avonlea to Anne so she can stay home and earn money to keep the farm going. And she can continue to take correspondence classes as well. Anne, so moved by his constant and generous nature, finally relents and realizes that Gilbert’s love is true. And there, on the bridge, they share their first kiss. Ahhh, young love!
Number 2 – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Elizabeth Bennet, ever-prejudiced against the proud and disagreeable Fitzwilliam Darcy, realizes there might be more to him than meets the eye when she finds that he has helped her family out of a sticky situation. Her sister Lydia has run away with the rouge George Wickam, threatening her family with scandal and ruin. Darcy, not wanting Elizabeth to suffer at the hands of this devious man, settles all Mr. Wickam’s debts and makes sure that he actually marries Lydia, making her once again respectable.
Elizabeth, so touched by this gesture, realizes there is more to Darcy than meets the eye and also realizes she does indeed love him. And in the end, she finally consents to be his wife. And they live happily, ever after on his beautiful estate, Pemberley.
Number 1 – Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding
Loosely based on Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones is a single, thirty-something, looking for love in all the wrong places. She falls for her boss, Daniel Cleaver, a handsome and clever playboy who can’t commit. Meanwhile, Bridget begins to form friendship with Mark Darcy, a successful barrister and friend of the family. Bridget is devastated when Daniel becomes engaged to an American, and turns to Mark to help her get over him. But before they really connect, Daniel returns saying he missed Bridget.
After much inner turmoil, Bridget in the end chooses Mark, and the two are just about to get together, when Mark finds Bridget’s diary which has a few very unflattering entries about him. He immediately leaves Bridget’s apartment.
Bridget, realizing what Mark saw, runs after him down the street in the middle of winter in only her underwear and a sweater. He is already gone and she is just about to turn around to go home when she sees him leaving a store. He had purchased her a new diary – for a fresh start.
They kiss, as snow falls softly around them, to Van Morrison’s “Someone Like You.” Sigh………
Those are some of the most romantic moments in books that I have ever read. And unlike most film adaptations, the movies are, in my opinion, just as good as the books.
Which romantic moments make your top 5 list?
If you liked this post make sure to try out these great posts as well:
Sweet Romances that Will Tug on Your Heartstrings
Eligible: A Book Review
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Great list, as usual 🙂 The only book of the list I did not read was Bridget Jones’s diary. I saw a short extract of the film and found Bridget totally annoying, so I did not even try the book. The scene you describe sounds very sweet though. So maybe, I should give the book a chance after all.
As a young girl, I found the romances of the March sisters in the books of Louisa May Alcott terribly romantic. Even if Jo and Laurie were never a couple, I loved the way they first met. And I loved the moment when Professor Bhaer reads Jo’s poem in the newspaper and directly comes to see her.
One of the most romantic book I read was The Red and the Black by Stendhal but there is no happy end there. I also would take Tolstoi’s Anna Karenina on my list as well as Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.
Bridget is definitely a character! I could see why you felt that way. I think I like her because she is a real heroine. She struggles with weight and has terribly embarrassing moments – something I can relate to:) But I agree with you about Little Women. I think that book could be on most of my book lists because I love it so much. And Anna Karenina – although that love story is sad.