In the top 10 one - sided love novels, 'Atonement' is quite remarkable. Briony's false accusation creates a situation where Robbie's love for Cecilia becomes extremely one - sided in a cruel way. 'The Notebook' is a well - known one. Noah's love for Allie seems one - sided at times, especially when Allie is engaged to someone else. 'Persuasion' also has elements of one - sided love. Anne Elliot's long - held feelings for Captain Wentworth seem unrequited for a significant part of the story.
The novel 'Doctor Zhivago' can be considered. Lara's love for Yuri is complex and has elements of one - sidedness. 'Rebecca' is also a great example. The second Mrs. de Winter's love for Maxim seems one - sided as she is constantly in the shadow of the first Mrs. de Winter. 'Silas Marner' has one - sided love too. Eppie's love for Silas is a form of pure affection that at first seems one - sided in the context of his hermit - like life.
Common elements? Firstly, there's the unequal distribution of emotions. One person's heart is full of love while the other's is indifferent or focused elsewhere. Secondly, there are often acts of self - sacrifice from the loving person. They might give up their own time, resources, or opportunities in the hope of winning the other's heart. And lastly, there's a sense of isolation for the one in love. They are in their own world of emotions that the other person doesn't share, which makes it a very lonely experience.
Often, it is depicted as a source of great emotional turmoil. The character experiencing one - sided love may go through a range of emotions such as sadness, jealousy, and hope. This is vividly portrayed in Urdu novels through detailed descriptions of their inner thoughts and feelings, making the readers empathize with their plight.
I think 'Persuasion' is a great one - sided love novel. Anne Elliot was persuaded to reject Captain Wentworth in the past. However, Wentworth still has deep feelings for her, and Anne also realizes her mistake and still has love for him. Their relationship is full of unspoken feelings and miscommunications. 'Villette' is also a good choice. Lucy Snowe has unrequited feelings for Dr. John, but she has to keep it to herself while dealing with her own struggles in a foreign place. 'The Fault in Our Stars' can be considered too. Hazel has feelings for Augustus, and while their relationship develops, there are aspects of one - sided love as they both deal with their terminal illnesses and the different ways they view life and love.
Longing is a typical theme. The character in one - sided love is constantly longing for the object of their affection. In 'Lolita', Humbert Humbert's longing for Lolita is a central aspect. Another theme is the power of love to transform. In 'Pride and Prejudice', Mr. Darcy's one - sided love gradually transforms him, and also Elizabeth as she comes to realize her own feelings.
One famous one - sided love novel is 'Jane Eyre'. In this novel, Jane has a deep and unrequited love for Mr. Rochester at first. She is a governess and falls in love with her employer, but there are many obstacles in their relationship, including the secret of Rochester's mad wife. Another is 'The Great Gatsby'. Gatsby is in love with Daisy, but Daisy is a complex character who is married to another man. Gatsby's love for her is all - consuming, but she can't fully return it in the same way.
One characteristic is the intense portrayal of emotions. The protagonist's unrequited love is often described in great detail, making the reader feel their pain and longing. For example, in many such novels, the character might constantly daydream about the object of their love.
I would recommend 'The Immortals of Meluha' by Amish Tripathi. Although it's mainly a fantasy novel set in ancient India, there are sub - plots of one - sided love. Shiva's relationship with Sati has moments where his love seems unrequited as she is bound by her duties and traditions. Another good one is 'Half Girlfriend' by Chetan Bhagat. Here, the male protagonist has a one - sided love for a long time which is relatable and shows the modern Indian youth's take on love.
One great Urdu novel with the theme of one - sided love is 'Peer - e - Kamil' by Umera Ahmad. It beautifully portrays the unrequited love of a young girl and her journey of self - discovery through this complex emotion.
One popular one - sided love romance novel is 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green. In this novel, Hazel has a complex relationship with Augustus, and there are elements of unrequited feelings at times. Another is 'Jane Eyre' where Jane has strong feelings for Mr. Rochester early on, but there are many barriers in the way of a smooth relationship. Also, 'Pride and Prejudice' shows some one - sided love situations as characters misjudge each other's feelings in the beginning.