You may be among those who profess to despise the work of contemporary romance authors. If you read one on the sly now and then, you needn't be ashamed. Millions of others are reading these novels, although most of them do it openly. The demand for this kind of escapist reading doesn't seem to decline.
These variations on the 'boy meets girl' theme have been around seemingly forever, or at least since the novel became a popular format. They have been disparagingly called 'bodice rippers', and the movies made from them dismissed as 'chick flicks'. It is a fact, however, that the best of this type of book and film gross millions, which makes the criticism sound a lot like sour grapes.
There is nothing wrong with the theme. It started with Adam and Eve in the Garden, Adam's rhapsody upon awaking to find his soul and body mate is beautiful. Romeo and Juliet is really just a boy-meets-girl tale full of difficulties and presented in glorious verse. The recent blockbuster vampire movies are based on books with a clever twist on the same old idea of a beautiful girl and a boy who is infatuated - or rather desperately in love for all eternity.
It isn't essentially myth and fiction, of course. History tells us that men have desired women above fortune and reason throughout the centuries. Think of the magnificent and terrifying King Henry VII, who fell for girl after girl and never flinched from murder, law-breaking, excommunication, or immorality.
Speaking of kings, remember the fall of Troy when Helen was the prize. King David went blindly ahead in his desire to possess Bathsheba, and he of all people should have known better. His son Solomon was the wisest man on earth and look what the ladies did for him - or did him for. Sampson and Delilah give us another example from the Bible, and the builder of the Taj Mahal one from history.
There is nothing wrong with the writing, either. Many books are churned out with little imagination and less plot development, but then others have so much appeal that they top the New York Times Best Selling List, and fans eagerly await the next book from their favorite author. Many a light and entertaining read was written by a scholar who sacrificed nothing of his or her classical education when bringing imaginary heroines and heroes together.
How many of the characters of romantic tales populate our collective memories? Lorna Doone, Kathy and Heathcliff, Jane Eyre, Tarzan and Jane all are - or should be - household names. Who knows which of the current writers will join this illustrious list of inspired fiction stars?
It is true that there is little fundamental originality in many of the romantic novels. However, just when you think that nothing else can be done with this genre, you get a surprise. Contemporary romance authors may not just get your attention and your money; they may become enshrined in your heart and your memory as well. Go ahead and try a romance novel. You just might like it.
These variations on the 'boy meets girl' theme have been around seemingly forever, or at least since the novel became a popular format. They have been disparagingly called 'bodice rippers', and the movies made from them dismissed as 'chick flicks'. It is a fact, however, that the best of this type of book and film gross millions, which makes the criticism sound a lot like sour grapes.
There is nothing wrong with the theme. It started with Adam and Eve in the Garden, Adam's rhapsody upon awaking to find his soul and body mate is beautiful. Romeo and Juliet is really just a boy-meets-girl tale full of difficulties and presented in glorious verse. The recent blockbuster vampire movies are based on books with a clever twist on the same old idea of a beautiful girl and a boy who is infatuated - or rather desperately in love for all eternity.
It isn't essentially myth and fiction, of course. History tells us that men have desired women above fortune and reason throughout the centuries. Think of the magnificent and terrifying King Henry VII, who fell for girl after girl and never flinched from murder, law-breaking, excommunication, or immorality.
Speaking of kings, remember the fall of Troy when Helen was the prize. King David went blindly ahead in his desire to possess Bathsheba, and he of all people should have known better. His son Solomon was the wisest man on earth and look what the ladies did for him - or did him for. Sampson and Delilah give us another example from the Bible, and the builder of the Taj Mahal one from history.
There is nothing wrong with the writing, either. Many books are churned out with little imagination and less plot development, but then others have so much appeal that they top the New York Times Best Selling List, and fans eagerly await the next book from their favorite author. Many a light and entertaining read was written by a scholar who sacrificed nothing of his or her classical education when bringing imaginary heroines and heroes together.
How many of the characters of romantic tales populate our collective memories? Lorna Doone, Kathy and Heathcliff, Jane Eyre, Tarzan and Jane all are - or should be - household names. Who knows which of the current writers will join this illustrious list of inspired fiction stars?
It is true that there is little fundamental originality in many of the romantic novels. However, just when you think that nothing else can be done with this genre, you get a surprise. Contemporary romance authors may not just get your attention and your money; they may become enshrined in your heart and your memory as well. Go ahead and try a romance novel. You just might like it.
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