Books and movies often focus on the dating and courtship side of romance—what about the adventure after marriage? Learning about married life is of no less importance. Afterall, it concerns a much longer span of our lives.

Luckily, great works examining the realities of married life do exist. Here are three literary works delightful and practical for the married.

‘David Copperfield’ by Charles Dickens: Choosing Wisely and Living With the Consequences

The 1850 novel tells the life story of David Copperfield, from infancy to maturity. David is a sweet-tempered, earnest boy who grows up and seeks his fortune in the world. Even as a young adult, he retains a childishness and innocence—partly in the sense of moral goodness, partly in the sense of naivete and ignorance.

Fresh out of school, a young David works for a businessman named Mr. Spenlow, who has a charming and pretty daughter. David falls for her, and suddenly all his energies and daydreams, even his life itself, revolve around Dora. Carried away by the devotion he feels, David marries Dora as soon as he is able. The trouble is, Dora, though sweet-natured and good-willed, is as much a child as David…

‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen: Marriage Must Be Founded on Virtue

In her 1813 novel “Pride and Prejudice,” Jane Austen presents a detailed study of character and its relationship to successful and unsuccessful marriages.

Elizabeth’s parents’ marriage is a warning to her. Mrs. Bennet is famous for her foolishness, gossiping, smallness of mind, obsession with marrying off her daughters, and absolute inability to understand or relate to her husband, who amuses himself by teasing her. It is a marriage of unequal minds and temperaments. However it all started from rather intense emotions.

Elizabeth’s friend, Charlotte Lucas, follows a completely different path. She chooses a loveless, emotionless marriage to a buffoon named Mr. Collins…