Possession, by A.S. ByattRead about the other entries on the list.
A book that tells the tale of overeducated academics uncovering a long-buried relationship between Victorian-era poets might not seem the most natural choice for newlyweds, but that relationship? Was hot as hell. In this time-shifting novel, A.S. Byatt tracks the discoveries of two modern-day scholars who stumble across evidence of the love affair, tantalizingly allowing us to experience the growing passions of lovers in both eras—including sexy love letters and exquisite poetry. In the end, this is a book about the lasting effects of passion and enduring love, with some of the most gorgeous falling-in-love I have ever seen. Any newlywed in the throes of honeymoon bliss will understand what one of the lovers means when they write to the other, “Did we not—did you not flame and I catch fire?… I thank God for you—if there must be a Dragon—that He was You.”
Possession also appears on Rebecca Mead's list of six favorite books that illuminate the Victorian era, Marina Warner's ten top list of fairytales, Ester Bloom's top ten list of fictional feminists, Niall Williams's list of ten of the best books that manage to make heroes out of readers, Kyle Minor's list of fifteen of the hottest affairs in literature, Emily Temple's list of the fifty greatest campus novels ever written, John Mullan's lists of ten of the best fossils in literature, ten of the most memorable libraries in literature, ten of the best fictional poets, ten of the best locks of hair in fiction, ten of the best graveyard scenes in fiction, and ten of the best lawyers in literature, and on Rachel Syme's list of the ten most attractive men in literature, Christina Koning's critic's chart of six top romances, and Elizabeth Kostova's top ten list of books for winter nights.
--Marshal Zeringue
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