Favorite Romantic CW Era Novels?

[CC sewing]

I have been wanting to read some CW era literature. In particular, I am looking for a romantic novel with a fairly happy ending. I was wondering if people could share their favorites?

I was looking online for listings of bestsellers of the era. Among the authors I found Wilkie Collins, whom I've never heard of of. But two of his novels were recommended: The Woman in White (1860) and (post-war) The Moonstone
(1868). Has anyone ever read those?

Obviously Charles Dickens would be a good choice too. But which one would be considered a romantic one?! I've only read A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities.

Thanks,

Celeste A. Kostyniuk

[BenjaminLDavis]

The novels of Sir Walter Scott were still popular at this time, "Ivanhoe" being
foremost on this list. It has both adventure and romance, may be what you
are looking for (Scott died in the 1830s, so any of his writings are period
correct.)
I would put in a good word for one of my favorite period authors here, Mr.
E. A. Poe, although I can think of none of his works that have a happy ending
(unless you count "The Pit and The Pendulum," in which the central character
is finally freed from his horrific suffering and imprisonment! Shucks, I went and
gave away the ending.)

[Amy Denison]

What about Elizabeth Gaskell's "Wives and Daughters"? It takes place around 1829-1831, but it was written during the early 1860's, wasn't it? (Correct me if I'm wrong...)

[riptailedroarer]

Wilke Collins is a good read, his books were writen to be published in magazines and I know that the Woman in white was serialised in one of the popular magazines ( Leslies I think) during the war. It is said to be the first detective noval, but it does have a love story in it, as the hero has to solve the mystery to save the heroine from a cruel fate. The Moonstone I thought was a pre-war book, but that may be down to it being published in a magazine before coming out in book form. Both books seem simple to solve from a 21st C view, but of coarse in the 1860's they were a new style of story.

If you do read the Woman in white, can you tell me what you think of "Count Fosco", I found him most interesting, with his suger water and cigerttes and fondness form white mice.

[celtfiddler]

What about Elizabeth Gaskell's "Wives and Daughters"? It takes place around 1829-1831, but it was written during the early 1860's, wasn't it? (Correct me if I'm wrong...)

According to http://www.online-literature.com "Wives and Daughters" was written in 1866. North and South would work though, as they list it as being written in 1855.

[Drygoods]

I would suggest that you read Gaskell's novel Cranford as that is more to our period. Also, look into the seven books written by Fanny Fern, they are loaded with historical information. Her novel's Ruth Hallor Rose Clarkeare very good. Novels written by Augusta Jane Evans are very well written, particularly Macaria. If you start with AJE, you will note that she was extremely well read and often makes references to other popular books of the time.

My all time favorite novel, The Barclay's of Boston by Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis. It's 1854, but a great story nonetheless.

[NoahBriggs]

Virginia's Veranda (http://www.vintagevolumes.com)has an article on just this question. It's called: “PICK UP A GOOD BOOK: LITERACY and POPULAR LITERATURE OF THE CIVIL WAR ByVirginia Mescher

[ElizabethClark]

Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford is about the funniest thing you'll ever read, in my opinion... there's one bit about "recovering" some lace that was soaking in milk to whiten it, and got drunk down by the cat...

I'm also fond of Anthony Trollope. Rachel Ray was censored in 1863 in the US, as it did have some "racy" scenes with the heroine and her beloved chatting without a chaperone. Trollope's stuff is definitely in the "romantic satire" range, and I really enjoyed this one, particularly.

[Anna Allen]

I'm also fond of Anthony Trollope. Rachel Ray was censored in 1863 in the US, as it did have some "racy" scenes with the heroine and her beloved chatting without a chaperone. Trollope's stuff is definitely in the "romantic satire" range, and I really enjoyed this one, particularly.


Ditto to Rachel Ray! :)

[K. Krewer]

I LOVE the Barsetshire series from Trollope, and most of them are period-appropriate:


The Warden (1855)
Barchester Towers (1857)
Doctor Thorne (1858)
Framley Parsonage (1861)
The Small House at Allington (1864)
The Last Chronicle of Barset (1867)

K. Krewer

[Drygoods]

From Lucy Breckinridge's diary.....Tuesday, August 26th 1862, Grove Hill, VA. "I read a novel today by Anthony Trollope called The Bertrams. It is quite good."

[rebjeb04]

What a great subject. Aside from being adjutant in the 16th Ark. I'm an avid antiquarian book collector of the antebellum era. Sir Walter Scott was probably the most popular in the South. It has even been rumored that the old gothic style Louisiana state capitol in Baton Rouge was culmanated from the pages of Walter Scott. The victorians tried to live up to the many virtues of their ancestors from medeviel knights to the cavalier stock of Old England. J. E. B. Stuart would be a good example. These folks were so cultured and refined, and lived up to the example of those great ancestors. This is why they fought so gallantly. An antebellum library would consist of several tomes of good reading from, novels, digests of law, science/mathematics, fashion (Godey's or Peterson's), Political reviews (Debow's Review), maybe even an old french volume or two. From the Ker family of Natchez (Linden Plantation) I have Demerara by Harriet Martineau, The Castle Builders by Charles Clark Munn from Lucy McWillie of Kirkwood, Mississippi (Gov. McWillie's daughter), Aiken's Digest of Alabama owned by Col. M. J. Bulger of Alabama. I can give hundreds of examples. One good one that I would suggest is The Spanish Heroine {c.1856}, by William C. Falkner of Mississippi who served with gallant conduct during the War. The only example available you can print on-line. William Falkner was the G-Grandfather of the noted William Faulkner of 20th cent. fame. Abebooks.com is a good source for mid-19th cen. reading material and the site is easy to navigate. You can find good original books from 1800-1860's in decent condition for $5.00 to $500.00.

Good Luck,

Christopher E. McBroom,
16th Arkansas Inf. Co. B and G
1st Ark. Btln. C.S.A.
:rolleyes:

[MrsArmstrong]

I just picked up Adam Bede, by George Elliot, this was written in 1859. This was written under a pseudonym and this was her first full novel.
Our library has been having a book sale, 5 for a $1.00, can't beat that!
Susan Armstrong

[Deb Kessler]

All of the titles mentioned already seem great- as to Dickens, I am very fond of Little Dorrit. The Woman in White is a very good read. No one however has mentioned my personal all time favorite- Jane Eyre. I would also think that any Austen book would do- they are timeless and are certainly romantic as well.

Deb Pomerantz

[CC sewing]

Thanks for all of these wonderful suggestions! Since we are now buried in snow and freezing cold temperatures, reading in the warm house is a most desirable activity. I have the distinct advantage of living kitty-corner from our public library, and so will have ample opportunity to check out some of these titles.

I have read Wives and Daughters, and I loved it, so Cranford may be a good first choice. Someone in my Victorian book club also suggested a book called The Cloister and the Hearth by Charles Reade, which was published in 1861.

Also, does anyone know of a good place to get reprinted novels that have the look of the books from the CW era?

Thanks again,
Celeste A. Kostyniuk

[Emily Burns]

I loved The Lamplighter's Daughter by Maria Cullen. But any and all novels that are sickeningly sweet and romantic are fun to read.

Emily Burns

[BobSullivanPress]

Also, does anyone know of a good place to get reprinted novels that have the look of the books from the CW era?

Thanks again,
Celeste A. Kostyniuk


Um, I know of a place....

[ElizabethClark]

Sullivan Press (http://www.sullivanpress.com) has several facsimile reprints from the Beadle's Dime Novel series, if you want "light adventure" reading. He also publishes a goodly stock of reprints of non-fiction--very helpful!

Vintage Volumes (http://www.vintagevolumes.com) has several facsimile reprints among their Repro 19th century books. Ditto with good non-fiction.

For novels beyond the Beadles series, though--well, the pickings are somewhat slim. Sometimes you can find somewhat-passable volumes new at bookstores (Barnes & Noble has a few different edition styles this time of year). Dover Books (http://www.doverpublications.com) carries a lot of classics in paperback, and also carries books on how to hardbind a paperback, if you're inclined that direction.