I first read the simplified version of Pride and Prejudice when I was 14 and since then, I fell in love with it because it's a classical version of Prince Charming and Snow White. When I grew older, I realised that the love they talked about in the 18-19th century was just shallow since the couples might not really understand one another before they decided to live under the same roof. But I was still enchanted by the beautiful language and the elegance of the characters.
And now, I do appreciate the subtlety and the suspense in love stories. Look at how hard Jane tried to hide her feelings when Mr Bingley went back to London. And how Mr Darcy helped the Bennets in secret when Lydia ran away with Mr Wickham. And Bella and Edward's lamb-and-lion relationship in Twilight. And Clare's years of waiting in Time Traveller's Wife. They're all beautiful.
Love is something not to be mentioned all the time -- you can feel it when it's around. What's more, the most appealing part of a relationship usually appears before the start of a relationship. It's when you start to feel the love but having no proof whether it really exists. It's the suspense that drives people crazy. But always romantic.
The most important part, though often neglected in Austen's novels, is of course marriage. Some could live happily ever after with their Princes Charming but unfortunately, most of the others don't. "My Daughter's Memory Keeper" will tell you all about it -- how a seemingly wonderful relationshiop could be ruined by a few wrong decisions.
A classic love story is timeless and will linger in your mind long after you have turned the final page.
