Oddball Relationships in Literature

[It by Stephen King and Games of Thrones by Goerge R. R. Martin]

Friendships come in all shapes and sizes. This is especially true in the literature world, where the most unlikely relationships can bloom. Stephen King and George R. R. Martin are a good case in point (see here).

Tolkien & Lewis

A shared love of mythology and writing originally brought Tolkien and Lewis together. They were both college professors working at the same university. One was a proud Catholic and the other a Protestant, but they both loved to debate religion. While they didn’t always see eye to eye, both Tolkien and Lewis relieved on the other when writing their famous novels. There would be no Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia without this friendship.

Pratchett & Gaiman

These next two authors were such good friends that they even wrote a book together — Good Omens. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett met in the '80s and became fast friends. Gaiman was new to the literary world, and Pratchett was an old pro with his Discworld series. Gaiman has credited Pratchett of being an influence on his writing. This friendship pair definitely has #squadgoals.

Fitzgerald & Hemingway

This next famous pair are appropriately labeled “frenemies” in literary circles. Fitzgerald and Hemingway met in Paris and became friends. However, the two quickly got into disagreements about writing, Zelda Fitzgerald, and drinking. Before they stopped speaking to one another, Fitzgerald did help Hemingway edit his classic novel, The Sun Also Rises. Hemingway returned the favor by publicly calling Fitzgerald a bad writer. The moral of this story is…don’t be friends with Ernest Hemingway?

Mary Shelley & Percy Shelley

Friends can become lovers and even marry, as was the case of Mary Goodwin (later Shelley) and Percy Shelly. Percy was an aspiring poet, and Mary an intellectual writer. They ran away together and lived their lives based on the idea of “free love.” But jealousy, depression and tragedy followed the couple wherever they went. However, Percy did encourage Mary to finish her masterpiece, Frankenstein, and Mary in return preserved Percy’s poetry after his death. This odd couple are credited for creating the Gothic Romance genre.