Who Is The Most Romantic??

I had to post about this because it is so closely related to my “Fictional Characters” series.  I really want to live in England because not only is it totally awesome, but they do fun things like take polls of the most romantic characters in literature!  Do we do fun stuff like that here and I just miss it?

So here are the results of the poll:

1. Edward Rochester of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre
2. Richard Sharpe of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series.
3. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
4. Heathcliff of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights
5. Rhett Butler of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind
6. Mark Darcy, of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’ Diary
7. Captain Corelli of Louis de Berniere’s Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
8. Henry DeTamble of Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife
9. Gabriel Oak of Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd
10. Rupert Campbell Black of Jilly Cooper’s The Rutshire Chronicle

Now as you know, I am a HUGE fan of Mr. Rochester………..but I am not sure if he could be described as “romantic.”  I found this poll on Entertainment Weekly, and I totally agree with Tina that there were times when Mr. Rochester was not all that nice to Jane and definitely not romantic.  I still adore him, but I don’t think he would be my #1 choice for this poll.

Mark Darcy

Mark Darcy

I think it is funny that Mr. Darcy is on here twice.  I would argue that Mr. Darcy of Bridget Jones fame is very romantic, and Fitzwilliam does do some pretty wonderful stuff for Elizabeth and her family, but is it romantic???  Also, I thought The Time Traveler’s Wife was an awful bore, so I would definitely strike him from the list.  And wasn’t that Sharpe guy a total womanizer???  I’ve only seen one of the movies, but that was the impression that I got.  And embarrassingly enough, I haven’t read any of the other books.  *hanging my head in shame*

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Here are some of the things I would add to the list.  I am not sure if my choices would be considered coming from “literature” but, well, tough.

I would put both Boris and Michael from The Princess Diaries series on the list.  I would also put Boris ABOVE Michael on the list.  WHAT?  I know that is a pretty blasphemous statement, but if you really think about it, Boris is kind of the ultimate romantic guy, which is why he ended up with the ultimate romance-seeking gal, Tina.  And he plays the violin, which, in my opinion, is the most romantic thing ever.  But don’t worry, I still love Michael the best.

Michael, Just Cuz I Can

Michael, Just Cuz I Can

I would also grudgingly put Mr. Edward Cullen on the list.  As emotionally manipulative and scarily possessive as he is, you gotta admit that he is a pretty romantic type of guy.  And, I have no doubt that if the poll was done in America he would come in first (at least with the 10-35 crowd, cuz that’s who seems to be reading it at the library).

I would also have to include Zach from Impossible by Nancy Werlin.  I adored this book and Zach really stuck with me.  He was a great romantic guy-next-door-friend-of-the-family character.  If only people like that actually did live next door the world would be a much better place.

Strangely enough, I would also put The Count of Monte Cristo on this list.  He is not really a romantic guy per se, but the whole time I was reading the book his character just had this mysterious confident aura that I find very, very sexy.  Wait, is sexy the same as romantic?  Did I just totally contradict what I wrote earlier??  Oh well, I don’t care, The Count of Monte Cristo has a romantic feel to me so I say it would make the list.

I almost forgot to add Peeta!!!!  Peeta from The Hunger Games is soooooooo romantic!  He manages to say and do the most romantic things in the most terrible of situations.  Can you imagine how sweet he would be if you were able to live a normal life with him???

So, what do you think?  Can you believe that Rochester beat out both Darcys??  This poll did give me some nice titles to add to my to be read list.

Jen

P.S.  In the EW post, she mentions that one of her co-workers suggested Logan from the Baby-Sitters Club.  Heehee!  But didn’t he actually join the club, which is a pretty romantic thing for a high school boy to do.

15 Responses to “Who Is The Most Romantic??”


  1. 1 Jill October 19, 2009 at 11:29 pm

    Hmm, so I’ve only read one of the books on the list & it was a super long time ago, so I don’t really have an opinion on it, BUT I 100% agree with you about Zach and Peeta!!! They are both one of the best parts of their respective books, and Jen, I really wish a Zach lived next to me too. 🙂

    I have to nominate Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables series and Prince Char from Ella Enchanted. Both are amazing. It’s been awhile since I’ve read the Anne series though, so my love for Gil probably comes mostly from the movies where he’s brilliantly portrayed by Jonathan Crombie. The amazingness of Prince Char is strictly from the book since, in my opinion, the movie BLEW. (Seriously, don’t get me started.)

  2. 2 Amber October 19, 2009 at 11:39 pm

    Hahaha, right when I saw the title of the poll I thought: MICHAEL! I agree with all your comments–I would also add that along the lines that Mr. Rochester is not quite romantic, that Heathcliff is DEFINITELY not romantic! Now yes, the story of Heathcliff and Cathy is romantic, but I don’t think they themselves were AT ALL. I would add Stephen from I Capture the Castle and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables.

  3. 3 Amber October 19, 2009 at 11:39 pm

    Hahaha, Jill and I think alike! oh Gilbert!

  4. 4 Amber October 19, 2009 at 11:41 pm

    Oh and I lied when I said I agreed with ALL your comments–I have to disagree with your “Time-Traveler’s Wife is a bore” –say what say what?! There was not one thing about that book that was boring!!!

  5. 5 ngtjennifer October 20, 2009 at 8:36 am

    Amber, I never actually finished reading The Time-Traveler’s Wife. I tried to read it a few years ago and it took me FOREVER! I think part of the problem was that I hadn’t read an adult book in so long that I just wasn’t used to it. I should give it another try, but I just can’t get excited about it.

    I feel left out because I’ve never read Anne of Green Gables. That’s another thing I need to do.

  6. 6 ngtlindsay October 20, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    OMG, I am totally on board with Jill about Prince Char. *LOVES* And the movie totally did blow! Even with Anne Hathaway! Grr! They made such a fantastic book into the cheesiest movie 😡
    And while I do agree that Boris is more romantic than Michael, I just have to get all giggly and lovey dovey feeling when Michael is mentioned.
    Mmmmmmmmmm Michael 🙂 I’m totally listening to Princess in Waiting on my ipod right now 😀

  7. 7 Diana October 20, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    I love anything that mentions Michael Moscovitz. I heart you, MM! 🙂

  8. 8 Amber October 21, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    Ditto, Diana!

    Hahahaha, I am listening to Princess Diaries Numero Uno! Is there ever a moment where at least one nerdgirl isn’t reading/listening to a PD book?

  9. 9 Jill October 22, 2009 at 8:00 am

    Haha, I don’t think so Amber! But if not, we’re probably at least reading/listening to some other Meg Cabot-y thing. Right now I’m reading Allie Finkle #4. 🙂

  10. 10 Diana October 22, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    Have you ladies heard the CD by Switchblade Kittens that’s dedicated to Meg and her books? It’s called Rebel Princess, and it’s really good! There’s even a song about our beloved Michael Moscovitz called “Brown Eyed Boy.” You can listen to some of the songs from the CD on the Switchblade Kittens’ website:
    http://www.switchbladekittens.com/

    Here’s more info about the CD:

    http://www.switchbladekittens.com/rebel-princess/49-rebel-princess-cd.html

  11. 11 ngtjill October 23, 2009 at 10:29 pm

    Ooh thanks for the link, Diana! I’d read about that before, but I’ve never heard any of the songs.

  12. 12 ngtjennifer October 23, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    I had heard about the Switchblade Kittens but I had never heard the music either! Now I am excited!

    And yes, I am about ready to start Allie Finkel #4 too, so I think the universe would turn inside out if one of us wasn’t reading/listening to something Meg Cabot.

  13. 13 Diana October 24, 2009 at 12:03 am

    Switchblade Kittens played at the Forever Princess event at the New York Public Library last January. They were pretty rockin’. 😉

  14. 14 ngtjill October 24, 2009 at 8:48 am

    Oh my gosh, did you get to go to that???

  15. 15 Diana October 25, 2009 at 2:33 am

    Yes, I planned a trip to NY so I could attend the event. It was really cool.


Leave a reply to Diana Cancel reply