by Lynn Spencer, guest blogger and contributor to All About Romance. Follow her on Twitter @LynnAAR.
So, why romance? Unless you've been living in very deep cave somewhere, you probably know that it's one of the top-selling sections of the book market. During this recession, romance sales are still booming. One could simply say, "There's something about that happy ending," and leave it at that, but for me, it goes a little deeper.
No matter how dark the world becomes around us, romance ultimately serves as something both hopeful and life-affirming. Whether it's wallpaper comedy or something heavy with more than a mere touch of darkness, we get to see two people finding kindred souls in one another. No matter what happens to them or what may get destroyed, this bond will endure. For that reason, we know that we will be able to call their ending "happy" because that story will contain something hopeful and positive that will be found and never lost. Empires may fall and secondary characters may die, but true love will remain and with it bring hope.
When I first started reading romance, I was most definitely a closet reader. I did this first because even the moderately tame Harlequin Historicals I discovered in high school probably wouldn't have passed muster with my parents. Later on in college, it was just considered deeply uncool to admit reading most popular fiction, but especially romance. So, those great historical writers of the mid/late 90s were stashed under my bed and read when no one else was around. I didn't stop reading them all together, though. I may have wanted to fit in with my friends, but I still needed that happy rush that I got from seeing the hero and heroine wind up together and happy. Not to mention the fact that I really did learn a lot of history from my romances!
The message of hope and the belief that relationships really can work carried me through tougher times, too. I served as a relief worker in Europe during the Bosnian war, and while I may have been a little low on bug spray or dried fruit on occasion, I always had at least one romance and a spare in my pack, nestled next to my Bible and first aid manual. The more sources of hope and optimism available, the better. When Hurricane Isabel swept through Virginia, I had just started reviewing for All About Romance. It was my little stack of review books and a flashlight that kept my spirits up in the face of having no electricity or telephone for more than a month!
I read literary fiction, nonfiction and all manner of genre fiction, but romance still does and always will occupy a very special place. I love reviewing romance because I have learned so much from doing it, and I now have a new appreciation for the skill it takes to construct the best books in the genre. The creativity and hard work of the writers out there inspires me, and I love the adventures they bring us. And, no matter what kind of day it is, I enjoy reading something that reaffirms how precious a gift love is and that reminds me there will always be hope. People can mock romance all they want, but that's a dream and a message that still means something to me - and, judging by sales figures, a gazillion other readers.
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6 comments ↓
I’ve never read a contemporary “Romance Novel”, but the most stirring poetry and literature either focuses on, or consistently dances back and forth with romance. I can relate to your view here, very good read. I have a few of posts on my blog that I think you might like: A once Feral Child, Love as a Subject, and On Virtue of Girl and Woman. Check those out and let me know what you think, I’m really interested in finding out. Thanks
All true! An hour or so with a great romance read has a way of lightening the hardest of days.
@LaurieEC – Exactly! Even the heavier romances have that inspiring quality about them. I think it’s something about seeing the characters overcome obstacles that can give us the guts to do it ourselves.
My thoughts exactly… and by the way, Lynn, I think the reviews on All About Romance are right on, I always check AAR before I purchase a book!
I’ve learned a TON of history from reading romances, and love to sprinkle my knowledge throughout conversations (much to the annoyance of others–LOL), but I SO was embarrassed about reading them. All my friends were reading the literary tomes picked by celebs while I was sighing over the moment when the heroine and hero finally yield to that spark. Writing them didn’t lessen the stigma, even when I went to romance fiction conferences! We were always accused of being formulaic. Whatev.
I think the internet has been helpful in connecting romance enthusiasts (this site rocks, and I love Galaxay Express too for their unabashed love of romance) so we can finally poke our noses out of the closet and enthuse without inhibition!
With the exception of when I first started reading romance (and trying to hide it from mom) I’ve never been a closet reader. It wasn’t until college that I found kindred romance reading spirits, but time and life have separated us now which is why I <3 the internet too. I never knew how many we were until I joined the online romance community.
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