Happy Valentine’s Day! Hug a writer!
Romeo and Juliet. Tristan and Isolde. Coach and Mrs. Taylor.
So many incredible couples in literature and myth and plays and movies. Couples that inspire us, madden us, make us laugh, cry, and best of all, make us insanely jealous.
Who’s your favorite fictional couple?
Art: The Love Letter by August Toulmouche
Is it cheating if I say Han Solo and Princess Leia?
Auriene and Marcus from The Light Bearer. Their relationship is so well done that by the time they finally get together it will make you cry. I loved reading about them. They will always be my favorite <3
THERE'S SO MANY!
I've always been a fan of the Cupid and Psyche Myth though. Very appropriate for today.
CV
Henry and Clare from The Time Traveler's Wife. I love getting both of their perspectives throughout the story, and the idea that their relationship, while not perfect, essentially lasts two lifetimes.
While I have to agree with Allan about Han & Leia, honestly, I love Roarke & Lieutenant Eve Dallas in the J.D. Robb's "In Death" series.
Richard Cypher/Rahl and Kahlan Amnell from Terry Goodkind's The Sword of Truth series undoubtedly.
Nick and Nora Charles. No question about it.
Phèdre and Joscelin from Kushiel's Dart!
Probably Romeo and Juliet, not to be lame, but because real life is more about tragedy – from the realist in me.
Beren and Luthien – from the idealist in me.
How fun!
I love Howl and Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle, etc., by Diana Wynne Jones.
Zaphod Beeblebrox and Trillian (formerly known as Tricia McMillian).
Now someone fetch me a pan-galactic gargle blaster. I gots some writin to do.
WORD VERIFICATION: boant. A negative statement directed toward a watercraft, usually to halt or curb an action, like sight-seeing too close to the rocky shores of an island.
Heathcliff and Catherine, of Wuthering Heights. I question how the author who led a sheltered life as a reverend's daughter knew about such sexual, erotic and psychotic "love."
I loved Luciferadi's response–Sophie and and Howl. Certainly a favorite! But I have to say I adore Marcus and Hadassah from Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion Series. Phenomenal writing and some of the deepest character development (and believability) I've seen.
Thomas Cromwell and Elizabeth Wykys, in Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall. The relationship is only lightly sketched (she dies of fever early in the book) but there is real intimacy there and mutual respect. He is grieving for her – and for their two small daughters who died a couple of years later – for most of the novel.
Paul Atreides and Chani. Oh man, how I cried.
Richard and Kahlan from the Sword of Truth series
Joe Kavalier and Rosa Saks.
Wesley and Buttercup
Aerin and Luthe from The Hero and the Crown.
Rick and Ilsa, who will always have Paris in Casablanca.
Jamie and Claire Fraser – can't wait for Written in My Own Hearts Blood!
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet would be the cliched choice, but John Thornton and Margaret Hale are oh so lovely.
Jack Twist and Ennis DelMar.
Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane.
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. Yes, cliché. But how can you not adore them? Runner-up: Edward and Bella. (Jussssst kidding!)
I will have to say Fanny Price and Edmund Bertram, from Jane Austen's Manfield Park
Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers
Here's another vote for Nick and Nora Charles. When you consider the era, they were an amazing couple.
I have to second Rocket on Jamie and Claire from the Outlander books…though Wash and Zoe from Firefly/Serenity are a close second.
Katy Perry and Tim Tebow.
Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. Le sigh.
@Munk: LOL. Extraterrestrial indeed!
Sam Vimes and Lady Sybil 🙂
Mulder and Scully. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Anne and Gilbert. Starbuck and whoever.
Holly Golightly and Paul Varjak from Breakfast at Tiffany's
I have to go with Bogie and Bacall (or character names Rick and Ilsa, as Betsy A. said)
I never tire of watching Casablanca, and I understand that phrase more now (we'll always have Paris) since visiting Paris myself.
I don't know if I could have been as altruistic as Rick and Ilsa were, but it was wartime. . .
D.G. Huson-
Bogie and Bergman!
Nick and Nora. And Asta
These are all ok, but for the all time number one blow-them-out-of-the-water couple, I enthusiastically vote for Charlie Allnut & Rose Sayer!
Bates and Anna!
Clementine and Joel!
Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennett.
Either Jamie and Claire from Outlander or Wesley and Buttercup.
Edward and Bella from Twilight
Nick and Suzy Lansing from The Glimpses of the Moon
Eve and Roarke from the JD Robb series
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice
Ron and Hermione! Love them.
Never officially a couple, but Snape and Lily. Always.
Another vote for Claire and Jamie from the Outlander series.
That's easy.
Leia and Han Solo.
(Ha, just saw the first commenter said that. SCORE.)
I second Anon's vote for Peter Whimsey and Harriet Vane.
I also love Lymond and Philippa from Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles.
I have to chime in with my vote for Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, followed by Nick & Nora Charles.
I pick six:
Male/Female in a book series: Sam Vimes/Lady Sybil from Discworld.
Male/Female on TV: Vincent/Catherine Chandler from Beauty and the Beast.
Female/Female in a book: Ruth Jamison/Idgie Threadgoode from Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.
Female/Female on TV: Willow Rosenberg/Tara Maclay from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Male/Male from a book series: Renly Baratheon/Loras Tyrell from A Song of Ice and Fire. (Though this could count for TV as well.)
Male/Male on TV: Charles Ryder/Sebastian Flyte from Brideshead Revisited. (Though this could count for the book as well.)
Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe. Not even a question.
Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester
Lara and Dr. Zhivago
Also, I'm currently loving Matthew and Mary from Downton Abbey.
Definitely Henry and Claire from Time Traveler's Wife.
Alex Bianchi and Ace from How to Date an Alien. I am biased and I don't care 🙂
In literature, Lyra and Will from the "His Dark Materials" series. Okay, I know, they're only twelve years old but still. That ending. I die every time.
On film, Kaylee and Simon in "Firefly" and "Serenity" (although, technically, they never get together). They are perfect together.
Happy Valentine's Day! 🙂
What a lovely painting. I love how you can tell she's reading a love letter just from the way she stands and her half-smile.
In terms of couples, I've always thought Peter Pan and Tinkerbell had an interesting love.
For more literary, I'll agree with some posters above that the vivacious Elizabeth Bennett and the principled Mr. Darcy are delightful.
I've always loved Lupin and Tonks. Wesley and Buttercup are another amazing pair. Katniss and Peeta … <3 <3
I was hoping someone would say Katniss and Peeta…ditto.
Emma and Charles Bovary. I know they aren't the ideal couple, but it's a great story.
Richard St Vier and Alec Campion – Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner
Laurie and Ralph – The Charioteer by Mary Renault
Lara & Yuri.
I'm with Jennifer on Lyra and Will from His Dark Materials. The ending kills me too.
Wesley and Buttercup!
Though I love Daisy and Gatsby's early relationship, if it can be called that.
Love Nick & Nora. I don't think anyone's mentioned Celia and Marco from The Night Circus. I believe they're still out there.
Definitely Jamie and Claire Fraser from OUTLANDER!
Wow, such awesome choices everyone is making! Great question, Nathan.
I can agree heartily with Henry and Claire, Claire and Jamie and Katniss and Peeta.
At the moment though, I can't think of anyone but Hazel Grace and Agustus Waters from John Green's latest, The Fault in Our Stars. AMAZING couple! Best love story. (I have a serious John Green bias, I know.)
Right now, my favorite fictional couple is Hazel and Augustus from 'The Fault in Our Stars.' Love love love this book.
As far as movies go, I think I agree with Wesley and Princess Buttercup, or Harry and Sally for something a little more 'modern'. For my literature pick, I'm going to be a bit more old-fashioned and say Johnathon and Mina Harker. Johnathon went through hell for his wife, and although the story was focused on the supernatural aspect, Stoker did an incredible job of showing the couple's dedication to each other.
Oh so many to choose from.
Recent YA:
Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy
Classic:
Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy
Chick lit:
Bridget Jones + Mr. Darcy
From my childhood:
Beauty & the Beast (from Beauty by Robin McKinley)
Superhero:
Clark Kent and Lois Lane
Luthien and Beren.
Hamlet & Ophelia. Because it epitomizes the messed up, roller-coaster relationship.
Fonny and Tish from James Baldwin's "If Beale Street Could Talk." Taylor and Jonah from "Jellicoe Road." And of course Howl and Sophie—can't tell you how much I love that book. But Will and Lyra are all-time faves, because I love them both so much individually, too.
What a fun idea for a post. I like Cupid and Psyche and Ron and Hermoine.
Others have mentioned some of my favorites (Catherine/Heathcliff, Elizabeth/Darcy, Sophie/Howl, plus Whedon and Harry Potter winners), but here are some other nominees:
(Books)
Amalthea and Lir – The Last Unicorn
Frank and April – Revolutionary Road
Elphaba and Fiyero – Wicked
Eowyn and Faramir – LotR
Faile and Perrin – Wheel of Time series
(Movies/TV)
Harold and Maude
Donnie Darko and Gretchen
Jane and Ricky – American Beauty
Jack and Sally – Nightmare Before Christmas
Marion and Harry – Requiem for a Dream
Chris and Annie – What Dreams May Come
Matt and Luisa – The Fantasticks (ok, that's a musical…)
Topher and Bennett – Dollhouse
Sierra and Victor – Dollhouse
(and from "Lost")
Sun and Jin
Hurley and Libby
Sawyer and Juliet
Claire and Charlie
Whew!
Additional votes for: Lizzie and Darcy and for Nick/Nora Charles. Fave nonromantic (?) couple: Sam and Frodo. Fave YA couples: Lily and Dash from Dash and Lily's book of dares, and well, Tiny Cooper and … anyone.
Scarlett o' Hara and Rhett Butler
I loved reading all the couples. I was going to write Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, and then saw Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane and those two are definitely my favorite couple.
What? No one has said Lancelot and Guinevere yet?
Jamie and Claire Fraser
William and Melly Fylbrigge
Aeron Aiobhell and Gwydion ap Don
Stephan Cameron and Jessica Chenowyth
Ross and Demelza Poldark
That's a good start. 😉
Oooooh, Sawyer and Juliet from 'Lost'. That is a good one….their story just killed me. Very well written and portrayed.
Great question, Nathan!
I know it's already been said several times, but I have to agree with Anne and Gilbert!
Nick and Nora from "The Thin Man" books and movies. (Though they are not good role models for alcoholics!)
Cathy and Heathcliff – unhappy as their ending was.
Marcus and Claerwen of Dinas Beris in the Macsen's Treasure Series, of course! (since I wrote them…) 😉
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, of course.
Puck Connolly and Sean Kendrick – The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.
I love them dearly.
Aragorn and Arwen take the top billet, but Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy and Margaret Hale and John Thornton (North and South)are very, very close in the running.
ARAGORN AND ARWEN
The Lord of the Rings
ANNIE HALL AND ALVY SINGER
Annie Hall
Henry and Clare
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Katie and Hubbell!
James and Nuala from Ballad,
Sam and Grace and Cole and Isabelle from the Shiver series,
Katniss and Peeta, Jane and Rochester
I mirror those who say Nick and Nora. There simply is no couple who can compete on any level. But you have to be of a certain age to know that. Only reason any one would disagree. Right, Asta?
Jane and Rochester for sure. I also really love Anne and Capt. Wentworth from Persuasion.
Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe!
Sandor Kreya and Allison Reilly, from C. J. Cherryh's "Merchanter's Luck". It's not a great book, but these two have stayed in my head for decades, when other couples have come and gone.
Another couple I like is Maddy Timms and Jervaulx, from Laura Kinsale's "Flowers from the Storm". I like it that, while they have a happy ending, it comes at a pretty steep price.
I guess I'd have to say the best couples are those who earn their love. 🙂
Scarlett and Rhett
Ada and Inman from Cold Mountain
Edward and Bella
Sookie and Bill
Katniss and Peeta
Jack Twist and Ennis DelMar.
Jane Eyre & Mr. Rochester,
Abel & Rima from Green Mansions,
Jack & Aliena from Pillars of the Earth,
Elizabeth & Darcy (of course)
Beatrice & Benedick (Much Ado About Nothing)
and I just finished a new YA by debut author Hannah Harrington called SAVING JUNE, and I have to say I'm crushing on Jake Tolan & Harper Scott 🙂
and so many more…
My favorite couple are Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland (Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey). I love that she falls in love with him because he's so smart, and I love that he falls in love with her not because she's pretty, but because she's innocent and open-hearted and kind.
http://www.lilcornerofjoy.blogspot.com
Anne and Gilbert, Emma and Mr, Knightley, Flynn and Rapunzel, and Amy and Rory! (I wonder how many people will understand that) For the record, Katniss and Gale would be one of the most epic fictional couples ever, but Suzanne Collins went all Team Peeta on us at the end.
Thanks Nathan, how could I forget Ingrid Bergman (??) I must have been thinking Key Largo with Bogie and Bacall.
I appreciate the correction, sheesh.
Glad I checked back in. . .
I would vote for Elizabeth and Darcy for sure. More recent I like Marco and Celia from The Night Circus.
The couple–the English captain (Marlow?) and Dona Rita of Spain–in Joseph Conrad's "Arrow of Gold."
Hands down and without question.
Unrequited, but true, honest, generous, giving (rather than taking) love.
It's already been said, but I vote for Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell from Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series! They are a couple that has been through more than any can even imagine, losing and finding each other over and over and over…if you haven't read this series, I definitely recommend it!
Lady and the Tramp.
🙂 😛
J/k. I liked Tonks and Lupin.
The couple from Brokeback Mountain.
Excellent question! Many MANY favorites in here! for me, Polly and Tom from Alcott's An Old-Fashioned Girl (since all my Austen, Collins, Rowling etc favorites were all listed). And I think Laura and Almonzo too 🙂
Another vote for Nick and Nora Charles, with or without Asta. Now there was individual personalities with a common chemistry!
Elizabeth & Darcy. They wouldn't settle for anything but the best. (Maybe why Jane Austen never married?!)
But someone mentioned Rose & Mr. Allnut. Now, there's a powerful pair!
Oh goodness… I love Nick and Nora. (movies, since I have yet to read the novels- they're on my list!)
But I also love Sophie and Howl, Hadassah and Marcus, and Tommy and Tuppence Berensford.
My all-time favorite, however, would be Carl and Ellie Frederickson.
A few of my favourites:
Claire & James Fraser from Outlander.
Henry & Clare De Tamble from The Time Traveler's Wife.
Tatiana & Alexander Barrington from 'The Bronze Horseman' series.
Laura & Almanzo
And more recently: Isabelle & Cole St. Claire from the Shiver series. Love them.
How could I forget Harry Dresden & Susan!?
Annie Reed and Sam Baldwin. I never saw a movie where the starring couple do not become a couple until the very end. Great story!
Heathcliff and Cathy.
"Do not leave me in this abyss where I cannot find you."
Nick and Nora Charles from the Thin Man detective series.
Jamie and Claire Fraser, from Outlander, hands down.
Also maybe Tommy and Tuppence from the Agatha Christie series. And Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane…
Ash and Anjuli from The Far Pavilions.
John and Aeryn from Farscape.
Plus SO many others and a lot of the ones already named. 🙂
Heathcliff and Catherine. I know…not the happiest of tales, but I love them. Goth at heart. I can't help it.
I'm going to agree with the commenter who said Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe. They're the couple who introduced me to great love and great literature.
Wheel of Time: Nynaeve and Lan Mandragoran
the Elenium and Tamuli series: Sparhawk and Ehlana
and of course, the classics: Mr. Darcy and Liz Bennett, Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester
Would it be weird if I also said Sherlock Holmes and Watson? /g
Lionblaze and Heathertail from Warrior Cats
Shout out to the two people who said Siman + Kaylee and Amy + Rory. YES. I would add Mal + Inara, or even Mal + myself since technically we're a fictional couple as well.
Then…Emma + Mr. Knightley
Snape + Lily
Jeeves + Wooster (no? …sheesh)
I might be cliche in saying this, but Romeo and Juliet. That tragic love story has been an inspiration for me.
I'd like to echo Luciferadi's preference of Sophie and Howl from Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. I loved everything about this story but especially the characters.
Phoebe and Mike from Friends. <3
Corey and Topanga? DJ and Steve?
Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe.
~Kathryn
Florentino Arizo and Fermina Daza – no doubt about it.
Arthur Clennam and Amy Dorrit in Dickens's "Little Dorrit."
Vladimir and Estragon, depending on your interpretation. Beckett formally declared that he wasn't sure himself.
Hmmm tough question…
A few come to mind:
Poppee & Olive
George Burns & Gracie Allen
Wesley & Buttercup
Harry & Sally
Wallie & Eve
Thomas & Veda
Hazel Grace Lancaster and Agustus Waters of course.
Morticia and Gomez Addams from "The Addams Family." Anyone who says they aren't a good couple haven't watched it.