Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813. I’m no math whiz but that is almost 200 years ago. What is it that makes this book so popular?
The Twilight series has sold MILLIONS of copies worldwide and is one of the most popular YA series in history. Why?
People can debate relevance, social message, and quality of writing. But what you can’t dismiss is the popularity of both books.
Everyone has different reasons for loving these books, but for me it’s all about the MEN! A fantastic leading man can take your book to a new level. As much as extreme feminists would like to disagree—we NEED men. (Notice the use of the word extreme, no hate mail please :) This is what I love to see in a man.
Flaws – Please, no perfect men. They don’t exist. But to be fair neither does the perfect women.
Need – Men need women as much as we need them. And I think most women will agree it is nice to be needed. I don’t know how my hubby functions without me :)
Want – Nothing melts my heart more than seeing that a man wants a woman. Not in the selfish, “what can I get out of this” way, but in the “I will sacrifice for you” way. See I’m melting already.
Sacrifice – This goes along with want. Men that will sacrifice their own wants and think of others are SEXY! Also there is nothing as ugly as selfishness.
Intelligence – Glasses are optional :)
I could make a LONG list. Who are some of your favorite literary men and why?
-Angie
22 comments:
Great post! I agree with your list. I hate to sound so superficial, but I must admit that there must be some physical attribute that makes us fall for the literary leading man. It may be that the hero has nice eyes, buff physique, great voice, or hair that begs for tousling.
Definitely agree with this. As a reader, I want a man and a woman (usually a boy and a girl since I mostly read MG and YA) that aren't perfect, but need each other. Not in the "Rescue me!" way, but in the way that they complement each other. I love it when they both sacrifice for each other. Feels more true that way. :)
I super love that title and picture! LOL!
I think that this is what the appeal of the Hot Guys in Doublets series is (that and the fact that these guys are hot) But I like to make it about the person first. These literary characters that we just fall in love with because they are trying so hard. We cheer for them, we laugh with them, we cry with them. We love them.
BTW there's a Hot Guys in Doublets this friday...just in case you were interested ;) LOL!
That picture ROCKS!
I love Mr. Darcy. Oooh Baby!
I love Edward (not from the movies, but from the books.)
I love Kai Darkwood from the romance I just read, "Queen in Exile." He is fabulous!
Love that list. Flaws make a person, and if a book can make me love the hero in spite of his flaws, then that's a good book. Mr Darcy will always be my favourite of all time :)
Oooh, I just joined Abby's blogfest so Hot Guys in Doublets will be postponed until Monday. Wait for it...wait for it...
OMGosh did you see how close you are to 100 followers?!?! Let me see what we can do about that.
Brinda - Gorgeous is never a bad thing.
Danyelle - Sacrifice is sexy should be the motto for the day.
Shelly - I'm a sucker for the doublet. How did you know. Am I that transparent?
Abby - Book Edward all the way.
Claire - I totally agree--with all of it.
Shelly - Work your internet magic :)
The man I would love to magicaly tear from the pages is Clay from Bitten by kelley Amstonge.He is the werewolf of my dreams lol. Have you read it? If you have you will know what I mean.
Of course if Edward Cullen were to knock on my door I would let him in.
is that why?
i thought it was lust. jk!
good advice to make them more appealing!
Lisa - I have not! But now I need to. Thanks for the tip :)
Tara - LOL!
One of my fav books, oh and its Kelley Armstong:-)
I love a good man in a book. I find it pretty rare to find any good ones in the flesh, but I was lucky enough to get my hands on one this year. Woo!
You did it! You did it! You did it!
*whew*
LOL!
Faramir has been a favorite of geeky women for decades. Though strangely, those who had the hots for book Faramir seemed more drawn to movie Boromir, and vice versa... Very odd.
I was always attracted the the tragically dark sort of men, or at least the strong silent ones. Mr. Darcy, Raistlin, Maglor... Sensitive, intelligent, charismatic in a quiet way.
Another thing I would add to the list, is that hunky men of literature (at least, the ones that win out) tend to have patience. They will wait for the woman they love, because she is worth it. Though in real life, a man who would literally wait for you for eternity might not be entirely stable, depending on the circumstance!
Trisha - Congrats! Hold on tight!
Shelly - Thanks :) Your blog power is scary
amaranthmine - Oooo patience...good addition!
Great post, and I love that picture. Your list is thorough, too. I've got so many guys in books I love. Of course Mr. Darcy is one. Another is Nick Sabine in Moonraker's Bride. I love Joey in Realms. And Jack in Everneath. Just to name a few.
Apparently, the topic of a good man is a hot one! I too LOVE the post picture - and Mr. Darcy. Although I have to say - I thought Edward was a little too flat of a character - he was too perfect, in a kind of creepy way.
I think some other good leading men are Henry from The Time Traveler's Wife and whatever the guy's name was in Water for Elephants... or maybe I am just thinking of Robert Patterson... sigh :)
Pattinson, Patterson whaterever. He's hot. And bothered (or is that Jimmy Fallon?) :)
Donna - I TOTALLY would have given Nick Sabine as an example if I thought enough people knew who he was.
Kim - Hot and bothered... definitely. By the way, love your new picture :)
1813 is nearly 200 years ago.
And my "tense" was wrong.
1813 was nearly 200 years ago.
2011-1813=198.
I'll stick with math and not writing.
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