News

19 December 2022

Great Literary Love Affairs

Great Literary Love Affairs

‘The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough is love.’ Henry Miller (who was famously married five times).

As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, somewhere in the world, over a cocktail, at a book reading or a launch, a dinner party or literary festival, sparks will be flying, and two writers will fall in love. You can see how it might happen, how attractive (and plausible) the idea that other writers might be the only ones to tolerate the degree of self-obsession and isolation required for penning a book. From the doomed, dazzling Fitzgeralds’ to Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, whose long marriage spawned brilliant writing careers, literary couples and their love affairs have long fascinated us.

Here are a few of the most famous literary liaisons:

Charmian Clift and George Johnston

Both fell madly, deeply in love over cocktails at Melbourne’s August Hotel Australia. You could see how it happened: George was 35 and married, charming and urbane. Charmian, 23, beautiful and talented, new to the heady, sophisticated world of publishing. But their raging affair became a huge scandal at The Argus newspaper office where they both worked. Outrageously, Charmian was sacked. George resigned in protest. After a period spent living in London where they became the darlings of the ex-pat community, mixing with luminaries such as Laurence Olivier and Peter Finch, the couple relocated to the Greek island of Hydra to try living off the proceeds of writing alone. Johnston returned home the conquering hero, winner of the Miles Franklin award for My Brother Jack. Clift returned to Sydney with the children in the mid-sixties. After that, her memoirs, Mermaid Singing, and Peel Me a Lotus along with her novel, Honour’s Mimic, were huge successes. But heavy drinking and other family strains took their toll and the relationship sadly fell apart. Clift tragically committed suicide in July 1969. A sad end to a passionate and brilliant literary partnership.

Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne

Didion and Dunne first met in New York in the 1950s. He was a writer for Time magazine, she was a young editor at Vogue. He was larger than life, she was petite and quiet. They forged a strong friendship and fell in love while discussing the manuscript for her debut book. Didion made her name first. Famously, in a New York Times profile their friends told a story about Dunne saying: ‘Ran into Jesus today… he loves Joan’s work.’ They were both driven and ambitious, yet neither was jealous of the other. They shared the work – and the success – writing eight bestsellers between them. ‘We understand each other’s self-absorption,” said Dunne, ‘that’s the only way we can survive.’ He wrote a thinly veiled account of his struggles with infidelity, while she wrote candidly of her marital doubts, migraines and bouts of depression. After Dunne’s death in 2003, Didion wrote about her grieving process. The Year of Magical Thinking, a brilliant, deeply moving memoir quickly became a classic. ‘I did not always think he was right nor did he always think I was right but we were each the person the other trusted,’ wrote Didion.

Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald

‘I’ve fallen in love with a whirlwind,’ declared Fitzgerald after his first encounter with Zelda at a country club dance. He was in the army, stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, where Zelda lived. He was of course not the only one courting the beautiful southern belle, but the competition only served to intensify Scott’s desire. They fell in love, intoxicated with one another and life’s endless possibilities. ‘Scott had appealed to something in Zelda which no-one before them had perceived: a romantic sense of self-importance which was kindred to his own,’ wrote Zelda’s biographer Nancy Milford. By the time peace was declared they were inseparable. They were wed in 1920 and became the golden couple of the Jazz Age, famous for their manic partying and wilful extravagance. ‘We tried to manage without a butler but Zelda cut her wrist on a can of baked beans,’ wrote Fitzgerald. They moved to France in 1924 which meant Paris, the Riviera, Cap d’Antibes, Cole Porter, Hemingway, Picasso and Chanel. There was jealousy, fights and a shared wild lifestyle yet Zelda’s presence seemed to fuel Fitzgerald’s writing. He even used extracts from Zelda’s diary in his novels, a habit she came to resent. Like the glamorous, damaged Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, they seemed doomed. After the couple separated, Fitzgerald, one of the greatest American writers, became an unemployed alcoholic living in Hollywood, while the beautiful Zelda became a long-term inhabitant of psychiatric institutions. Shooting stars who dazzled all too briefly before plunging tragically into darkness.

Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre

Both were giants in the world of letters, particularly philosophy, and their highly unconventional partnership spanned decades. They were the intellectual power couple of the 20th century. Beauvoir wrote the seminal The Second Sex, the 1949 novel that laid the foundation for feminism of the 1960s. Sartre is called by some the father of Existentialism. They met at the Sorbonne University and became an item in 1929, but it was never an orthodox relationship. They never married or lived together and famously had an open relationship. Beauvoir and Sartre even told each other about their flings and developed a pattern of sharing lovers. ‘We were two of a kind,’ wrote De Beauvoir, ‘and our relationship would endure as long as we did: but it could not make up entirely for the fleeting riches to be had from encounters with different people.’ The relationship worked for Sartre and de Beauvoir for 50 years.

Related Articles

Books That Were Banned, Burned & Challenged: Some Will Surprise You!

News | Book Life

20 December 2023

Books That Were Banned, Burned & Challenged: Some Will Surprise You!

    Start Your Christmas Shopping: Better Reading's Top 100 Books

    News | Awards | Book Life

    11 December 2023

    Start Your Christmas Shopping: Better Reading's Top 100 Books

      Organising Your Books: How Do You Do It?

      News | Book Life

      11 December 2023

      Organising Your Books: How Do You Do It?

        Ideas for Book-Themed Christmas Decorations

        News | Book Life

        30 November 2023

        Ideas for Book-Themed Christmas Decorations

          The Votes Are In and Bookmarks Win!

          News | Book Life

          9 August 2023

          The Votes Are In and Bookmarks Win!

            I’m Embarrassed to Admit: The Books You Start, a Few Times, but Never Finish

            News | Book Life

            8 August 2023

            I’m Embarrassed to Admit: The Books You Start, a Few Times, but Never Finish

              Audiobook Favourites from the Better Reading Team

              News | Book Life

              20 July 2023

              Audiobook Favourites from the Better Reading Team

                This is Our 8th Top 100... Here are all Eight Lists

                News | Awards | Book Life

                26 April 2023

                This is Our 8th Top 100... Here are all Eight Lists

                  Wine, Coffee, Tea? What Do You Drink While You’re Reading?

                  News | Book Life

                  19 December 2022

                  Wine, Coffee, Tea? What Do You Drink While You’re Reading?

                    10 Great Audiobooks for the Holidays, Inspired by the Top 100

                    News | Awards | Book Life

                    17 December 2021

                    10 Great Audiobooks for the Holidays, Inspired by the Top 100

                      COMMENTS

                      Leave a Reply

                      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

                      1. seans says:
                        1 November 2022 at 7:27 pm

                        You know it’s not like it used to be, because it’s so exciting. try it Tower Defense

                        Reply
                      2. Trilaen says:
                        9 December 2022 at 4:41 pm

                        You know it’s not like it used to be, because it’s so exciting. try it Best Sms Recovery App For Android 2023

                        Reply
                      3. jimuka says:
                        9 December 2022 at 8:45 pm

                        Thank you very much for these great cake recipes, I have learned a lot from your web blog quordle game

                        Reply
                      4. Alice says:
                        12 December 2022 at 12:18 pm

                        Your post is helpful. I appreciate that.

                        Reply
                      5. Lily says:
                        12 December 2022 at 12:19 pm

                        To everyone reading this comment. Good luck in everything you do. May you fly high in life and success is always with you. Good luck to you Flappy Bird

                        Reply
                      6. clamb says:
                        29 December 2022 at 8:43 pm

                        Everything is very open and honest, and the challenges are broken down in great detail. The information is without a doubt beneficial to have. Is my website extremely successful in terms of making money? Please take a look at this: nytimes crossword

                        Reply
                      7. dordle luka says:
                        10 February 2023 at 8:42 pm

                        dordle game is a completely free HTML5-based word guessing game so you can learn and memorize vocabulary!

                        Reply
                      8. Ben Vale says:
                        11 February 2023 at 8:28 pm

                        A blue heeler pup, and her family the show has amassed legions of dedicated fans and hugely popular ranges of erasable paper
                        clothes games and more.

                        Reply
                      9. madnffojey says:
                        27 April 2023 at 3:33 pm

                        Full Version Crack yasir252 Patch Pc Software like Antivirus, Multimedia, Graphics Design, Editor, Downloader with Serial Key Keygen License Free Download.

                        Reply
                      10. abel1303 says:
                        11 July 2023 at 5:39 pm

                        I think this is an useful blog Mini Crossword post and also it is well-informed and really useful. For that reason, I want to thank you for the ventures that you have actually made in writing this post.

                        Reply
                      11. Suhagan says:
                        31 July 2023 at 2:15 pm

                        Suhagan Is Indain Tv Drama By Colors tv Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal is Hindi Serial Tv
                        Suhagan

                        Reply
                      12. Teri Meri Dooriyan says:
                        31 July 2023 at 2:16 pm

                        Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal Is Indain Tv Drama By Colors tv Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal is Hindi Serial Tv
                        Teri Meri Dooriyan

                        Reply
                      13. 토토궁검증업체 says:
                        3 August 2023 at 5:35 pm

                        i sincerely thanks for the treasured data in this terrific problem and stay up for more first rate posts. Thank you a lot for playing this splendor article with me. I’m appreciating it very a lot! Searching ahead to every other tremendous article. Accurate success to the writer! All the excellent! Whats up there, there’s no question that your internet web site ought to probably be having internet browser compatibility issues. When i study your internet site in safari, it looks high-quality however whilst commencing in ie, it has some overlapping troubles. I simply desired to offer you a quick heads up! Apart from that, first-rate website online! 토토궁검증업체

                        Reply
                      14. 먹튀스쿨먹튀신고 says:
                        3 August 2023 at 5:53 pm

                        what i do now not realize is that if reality be told the way you’re not clearly a lot more smartly-liked than you’ll be proper now. You are very clever. You recognise consequently substantially regarding this count, made me in my opinion agree with it from such a lot of various angles. Its like women and men aren’t involved until it is something to do with woman gaga! Your non-public stuffs amazing. Usually hold it up! Well i without a doubt preferred analyzing it. This difficulty furnished by using you is very realistic for correct making plans. What’s up, i read your blog every day. Your writing fashion is 먹튀스쿨먹튀신고

                        Reply
                      15. Harry Smith says:
                        23 September 2023 at 6:58 am

                        Great literary love affairs have a way of captivating our hearts and minds. For those who appreciate the art of storytelling, turning your own romantic narratives into masterpieces is where professional romance writers truly shine

                        Reply
                      16. My Wheels says:
                        24 September 2023 at 5:21 am

                        grande x is one of the most luxury and demanding car in pakistan.

                        Reply
                      17. Stephen says:
                        6 November 2023 at 4:58 pm

                        I appreciate you sharing this touching tale. It serves as a subtle reminder that sometimes the deepest relationships are like the quiet dance of pressure and heat that happens between the espresso machine and the bean, culminating in the production of something really remarkable. Write more; your words are the delicious crema to the grind we live in every day!

                        Reply
                      18. Hanifa says:
                        10 November 2023 at 10:17 pm

                        While plastic noodle boxes may face criticism for their environmental impact, they offer durability and are often chosen for their ability to protect food during transportation.

                        Reply
                      19. shoaib says:
                        16 November 2023 at 5:28 pm

                        korean beauty products have gained global popularity, and rightly so! The emphasis on natural ingredients and innovative formulations sets them apart. It’s no wonder that the demand for K-beauty items, like the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum, continues to grow.

                        Reply
                      20. Geometry says:
                        16 November 2023 at 6:37 pm

                        A tale of mad love and scandal that unfolded over cocktails at Melbourne’s August Hotel Australia. Geometry Dash George, charming and married, and Charmian, young and talented, embarked on a raging affair that shook the foundations of The Argus newspaper office.

                        Reply
                      21. among says:
                        16 November 2023 at 6:38 pm

                        From London to the Greek island of Hydra, among us their love story took them through fame, fortune, and the tumultuous world of writing. Yet, as passions cooled, family strains and personal struggles led to a tragic end for Charmian.

                        Reply
                      22. Ahmed says:
                        23 November 2023 at 5:24 pm

                        The cer-100 formula works wonders on my hair, providing deep nourishment and hydration.

                        Reply
                      23. battles says:
                        29 November 2023 at 8:57 pm

                        you’ve started to share information backpack battles about famous literary couples, beginning with the mention of Henry Miller’s quote about love.

                        Reply
                      24. john smithliam says:
                        30 November 2023 at 9:50 am

                        Book writing is one of the finest and gentlemanly fields. These days, many authors hire book writers because many people have great stories to tell but lack the necessary writing abilities. Such as “I want someone to write a book about my life,” so I’ll get book ghostwriting services.

                        Reply
                      25. Adam Sanders says:
                        12 December 2023 at 3:10 am

                        I resonate with Henry Miller’s perspective on love and its complexities, especially in the world of writers. It’s fascinating how literary couples find common ground amid the challenges of self-obsession and isolation. autobiography writers

                        Reply
                      26. elainao says:
                        25 December 2023 at 9:06 pm

                        Five Nights at Freddy’s has created a trend in the gaming community, with a very large and loyal fanbase.

                        Reply
                      27. umar says:
                        28 December 2023 at 10:49 pm

                        nice post

                        Reply
                      28. likes geek says:
                        28 December 2023 at 10:52 pm

                        great post

                        Reply
                      29. JackJ says:
                        7 January 2024 at 3:38 am

                        Fmovies streaming platform, we bring you a seamless, top-notch streaming experience. With one simple click, you’ll enjoy fast servers that guarantee no buffering and full HD 1080p quality.

                        Reply
                      30. orabelle hana says:
                        17 January 2024 at 7:24 pm

                        Nestled in the world of puzzle games, Watermelon game emerges as an interesting and new game, attracting players with simple but addictive gameplay.

                        Reply
                      31. Elena says:
                        20 February 2024 at 7:51 am

                        Find exceptional healthcare close to home at hospital near Mesquite TX. With state-of-the-art facilities and compassionate staff, these hospitals offer comprehensive medical services to meet your needs

                        Reply
                      32. amna says:
                        23 February 2024 at 12:24 am

                        split ac price in pakistan vary greatly based on brand, cooling capacity, energy efficiency, and extra amenities like air purification and inverter technology. In general, costs might vary from low-cost choices for customers on a tight budget to expensive versions for those looking for cutting-edge features and increased efficiency. Given Pakistan’s scorching summers, investing in a dependable split air conditioner will pay off in the long term by providing comfort and energy savings. To choose a model that best suits their demands and budget, consumers should take into account the space requirements and amenities they want.

                        Reply
                      33. saleboard says:
                        2 April 2024 at 11:25 pm

                        The 12.12 Sale is unique due to its immense size and scope. With their incredible discounts, flash deals, and time-limited promotions, participating shops and e-commerce platforms go all out to make it the ideal time to cross items off your Christmas shopping list or treat yourself to something special. Additionally, customers may explore and buy online conveniently from the comfort of their homes, avoiding the throngs and mayhem that are usually associated with traditional retail events.

                        Reply
                      34. saleboard says:
                        2 April 2024 at 11:53 pm

                        Have you had enough of looking around for the greatest pet supplies distributors? There’s nowhere else to look! You can get everything you need to keep your dogs happy and healthy through our wide network of distributors. We provide everything from fine food and sweets to sturdy toys and cosy beds. You can also rely on us to give you high-quality items that both you and your dogs will adore because we are dedicated to quality and client happiness.

                        Reply
                      35. amna says:
                        6 April 2024 at 9:51 am

                        In the vibrant marketplace of Pakistan, where every rupee counts, the washing machine emerges as a beacon of modern convenience and household efficiency. Its price tag not only reflects its tangible value but also symbolizes the promise of liberation from the arduous task of handwashing. With a spectrum of options available, from budget-friendly models to high-end marvels of technology, washing machine price in pakistan is more than just a number—it’s an investment in cleanliness, convenience, and precious time saved. In a nation where every moment matters, the washing machine stands as a testament to progress and the relentless pursuit of a brighter, cleaner future for all.

                        Reply
                      36. maya says:
                        16 April 2024 at 1:55 pm

                        There is a reason this novel is basically synonymous with romance, spawning endless tributes and adaptations over 200 years after it was written: it captures what so many people long for in a retro bowl college relationship.

                        Reply