** spoiler alert ** I should mention that my sister-in-law is also my best friend. And we have an ongoing argument. I love Pride and Prejudice. I love everything about it. I think that Elizabeth and Darcy are the second most romantic literary couple of all time. (This is where said sister-in-law vehemently disagrees with me.)
I believe the most romantic literary couple is Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. I love that Jane describes herself as plain and Mr. Rochester as ugly. Not only is he physically unattractive, he's also rather gruff and rude. Little Jane still finds the goodness in him and loves him despite his obvious flaws. And when seen through Jane's eyes, I can't help but love him too, violent temper, ill manners and all. I also sincerely believe that there is not another character who loves someone as fiercely as Mr. Rochester loves Jane. My paperback copy of this book, which I have owned for about 13 years is worn and bedraggled. It automatically falls open to my two favorite parts - the night when Jane finally declares her love for Mr. Rochester and the day they are reunited at the end.
I also love this book because of Jane's morals. She overcomes a horrid childhood and has such a strong sense of right and wrong. She always chooses the right thing to do, even when the consequences are hard to bear. It would be so easy to rationalize doing the wrong thing in her position, but she sticks to her guns and, like a God-fearing Christian would hope, she is rewarded in the end. I can't tell you how many times I've read this book and how much I love it.