Page Struck: Fiction's Perfect Valentine's Gifts

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ROMANTIC BOOKS, PLAYS or movies inspire many courting rituals. Guys seeking lady-impressing moves might pore over "Don Juan"; girls on the prowl seek solace in "Sex and the City" reruns. Still, we think some of fiction's starriest — and most star-crossed — lovers could benefit from a bit of V-Day gift advice. And if you give the sort of presents that'd be ideal for suitors from the Bride of Frankenstein to Mr. Darcy, you might write a happy ending of your own.

Carrie to Mr. Big
OK, sap, maybe you call Carrie Bradshaw's coerced-into-marriage sweetie John. We call him Mr. Big Jerk and think he could benefit from seriously studying some classic literature about the foibles — and vices — of men. Tank mini-books are small enough that he can read one while riding around in his town car, not calling you (1430 K St. NW; 202-783-0022).

Elizabeth Bennett to Mr. Darcy
The vain swain of "Pride and Prejudice" got the girl, but he could use a gentle reminder that his pride should never trump his passion. These whimsical heart-shaped mirrors get that point across rather sweetly.

Frankenstein's Monster to The Bride of Frankenstein
If old cog-neck's frizzy-haired gal had had a bigger cerebellum (even a chocolate one!), maybe their liaison would've spawned a race of grunting mutants.

Romeo To Juliet
Everything that went wrong for Shakespeare's young lovers hinged on mixed messages and an undelivered letter. Make sure your girl always gets what you're saying with a clever, tabletop-sized chalkboard.

Photos courtesy New Line Cinema, Focus Features, Universal Pictures, and Twentieth Century Fox