I just finished TIHYLTTW and it was one of the best books I have ever read. There’s a lot I can say about it, but one of many aspects that stood out was the relationship dynamic at the center of it.
Most(?) literary romances, including many I love, depict a courtship that’s tenuous and turbulent at times. Sometimes this turbulence is in ways that would be a red flag irl, and sometimes it isn’t. And one main reason why this kind of turbulence is so common is because books need drama and conflict. For instance, in Call Me By Your Name, a book I also love, the two main characters spend much of the time misinterpreting the others’ overtures and agonizing and in general communicating in an oblique unhealthy way (but that’s gorgeous and exciting in the book).
With TIHYLTTW, on the other hand, the blossoming romance at the center of the story unfolds in a way that seems easy and pretty healthy. The conflict and drama comes from the external situation, and the horrible choices they have to make.
Throughout the book, each time one of them escalates, the other meets them there, which is beautiful and exciting to read. Reading it, I had the thought that if I do ever find lasting love, I’d like for it to be like Red and Blue. And a friend of mine had the exact same reaction.
I’m curious if others have thoughts about the relationship dynamic at the center of the book, or other literary depictions of romantic love that are both healthy and easy, and exciting.
by Just_Nat4263