Thursday, May 05, 2005

Why Does It Last?

As much as it is bad-mouthed, covered in elaborate cloths to hide it's contents, as much as millions deny ever having touched one, romance novels continue to flourish. They remain a staple in the literary world and have over time, evolved from pure historical bodice rippers to sweeping love stories that could even make a grown man cry.

What is it about the genre that continues to fascinate, intimidate and intrigue readers. More importantly, what is it about the genre that births ravenous fans worldwide like no other genre?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think there are many people whose lives are not fulfilled, who seek love and sex vicariously through novels. There are others, perhaps many more, who like upbeat stories without profanity, vulgarity, misery and violence and that have a happy ending. For this group, the romance novel is perfect...provided it is well written. As for those who deride the romance novel or novella, they're full of it. That mainly comes from the kings and queens of denial. I'll bet a lot of them spend hours watching flesh pics on the internet. I'm going to get some jabe for that. Gwynne

Anonymous said...

I started reading romance novels about 7 years ago. Before I thought all romance novels were cheesy. Then I read my firs AA romance novel by Brenda Jackson and I has hooked. I do love to read about other people lives and I love a happily ever after story. We do not see much of that in the world today. As long as authors like Brenda Jackson, Beverly Jenkins, Melanie Schuster, Gwynne Foster, and Donna Hill keep writing, I will keep reading.
Carol

Anonymous said...

Hey, is this donna hill, you? page down to the bookcover
http://worsethanmybite.blogspot.com/ gale

Anonymous said...

I feel that romance novels last because we all want someone to be there for us; we all want someone to be by our side, our queens and kings, to love us and the other perks you get from a loving fulfilling relationship. Romance novels also give us a chance to live through others and forget our lives for some period of time. I believe a lot of people are against love novels because they may feel that there is no real depth to them, no knowledge to be learned. Romance novels do not tell us what the president is doing or about the economy or anything like that so some people may feel that they serve no purpose. I beg to differ I do agree that they don't teach us about wordly issues (economy, politics, etc) but they do serve a purpose. They let us into the human heart, something many people are scared of seeking. The teach of lessons of love, trust, friendship and ultimatley they may teach us about ourselves. This is why romance novels have always been and will always be popular.

Anonymous said...

I too agree, it's about a few hours of "escapism". Romance genre keeps "hope alive". When I'm in a funk or fog, a romance novel can lift the fog and chase away the funk. A good romance novel is like spearmint-- it leaves a great aftertaste. There will always be a place in my heart for a lil' romance....