Relief
Hello, my name is Velma and I like reading romance novels.
In my post "25 things from facebook", I mentioned that I like reading romance novels and felt guilty about it. I felt guilty because of the cultural perception of that genre as fluff with weak characters who are subjected to gratuitous happy endings. I felt guilty because I "should" be doing something better with my brain and my time. I felt guilty because as a women with a quality relationship, a successful job, a "higher" education, many interests and talents, and a life that is full and happy. I "shouldn't" get enjoyment from reading romance novels. I should get enjoyment from listening to more public radio, reading serious fiction, watching documentaries, and generally expanding my knowledge. These are socially accepted past times for a liberal, liberated, educated, successful woman.
If I'm so liberated and smart, why do I let the larger culture induce feelings of guilt for doing something I enjoy? And why do I enjoy romance novels in the first place?
I enjoy romance novels because I like romance. I like stories about relationships, love, growing as a person, and overcoming obstacles. I like happy endings. Romance novels reaffirm for me that generally everything works out OK in the end, which is one of my core beliefs that I need to be reminded of every now and then. I like to laugh and smile. Romance novels do this for me. Yes, it's true that not all romance novels are created equal, and that some are really bad ones that fulfill all of the stereotypes. More often than not, though, the stories are about strong, witty, successful, intelligent women who find love. Now, what's wrong with that? Nothing.
So, why are romance novels so dismissed in our culture and made to be something to feel guilty about for enjoying? Only romance novels have the universal "guilty pleasure" stigma attached to them. To get help answering this question, I turned to the all-knowing internet. I googled "benefits of romance novels" and "defense of the romance novel" and came across some good answers to my questions.
The best answer was written by Jennifer Crusie, romance author of books with great characters, plots and adventures. She wrote an essay titled "Defeating the Critics: What We Can Do About the Anti-Romance Bias". I highly recommend reading the piece in its entirety. Here is the basic gist of the essay:
"When I looked closer at romance fiction, I saw that it contested the beliefs of a lot of powerful groups. In fact, romance fiction has something in it to irritate anyone with rigid ideas of how life and literature should work and--most important--how women should act. It was then I realized why I loved romance fiction: it was not only entertaining and empowering, it seriously annoyed a lot of stuffed shirts.
"For example, romance fiction challenges the traditional patriarchal beliefs by saying that women are equal to men and that they should be as sexually knowledgeable as men, and then compounds that sin by showing that love is a powerful force that should be taken seriously.
"First, romance fiction says that women are primary not supporting characters, equal to men in power, intelligence, and ability....The result: romance fiction is called 'unrealistic.' Second, romance fiction often says that sex is vitally important to women....The result: romance fiction is called 'soft porn.' Third, romance fiction says that love is powerful and important....Result: romance fiction is called 'silly fluff.'
"But if romance challenges patriarchy, why is it so reviled by radical feminists? Because it challenges deeply held beliefs there, too. Good old romance: it's an equal opportunity debunker...."
To finish the essay, click here.
Other sites that talk about the romance novel:
College Candy - In Defense of Romance Novels - Part One
College Candy - Romance Novels Part Two: Are They Anti-Feminist?
Salon.com columnist David Pollard - The Romance Novel: Literature of Liberation
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books - On Happy Endings
After this research, I feel relieved from the guilt that had been bothering me. Yes, I do get the irony that I needed to hear about other people's experiences on the subject in order to feel better about my own experience. But, at least I had the gumption to seek it out.
And, maybe this post will help a few other lovers of romance come out of the closet too.
Hello, my name is Velma and I like reading romance novels.
In my post "25 things from facebook", I mentioned that I like reading romance novels and felt guilty about it. I felt guilty because of the cultural perception of that genre as fluff with weak characters who are subjected to gratuitous happy endings. I felt guilty because I "should" be doing something better with my brain and my time. I felt guilty because as a women with a quality relationship, a successful job, a "higher" education, many interests and talents, and a life that is full and happy. I "shouldn't" get enjoyment from reading romance novels. I should get enjoyment from listening to more public radio, reading serious fiction, watching documentaries, and generally expanding my knowledge. These are socially accepted past times for a liberal, liberated, educated, successful woman.
If I'm so liberated and smart, why do I let the larger culture induce feelings of guilt for doing something I enjoy? And why do I enjoy romance novels in the first place?
I enjoy romance novels because I like romance. I like stories about relationships, love, growing as a person, and overcoming obstacles. I like happy endings. Romance novels reaffirm for me that generally everything works out OK in the end, which is one of my core beliefs that I need to be reminded of every now and then. I like to laugh and smile. Romance novels do this for me. Yes, it's true that not all romance novels are created equal, and that some are really bad ones that fulfill all of the stereotypes. More often than not, though, the stories are about strong, witty, successful, intelligent women who find love. Now, what's wrong with that? Nothing.
So, why are romance novels so dismissed in our culture and made to be something to feel guilty about for enjoying? Only romance novels have the universal "guilty pleasure" stigma attached to them. To get help answering this question, I turned to the all-knowing internet. I googled "benefits of romance novels" and "defense of the romance novel" and came across some good answers to my questions.
The best answer was written by Jennifer Crusie, romance author of books with great characters, plots and adventures. She wrote an essay titled "Defeating the Critics: What We Can Do About the Anti-Romance Bias". I highly recommend reading the piece in its entirety. Here is the basic gist of the essay:
"When I looked closer at romance fiction, I saw that it contested the beliefs of a lot of powerful groups. In fact, romance fiction has something in it to irritate anyone with rigid ideas of how life and literature should work and--most important--how women should act. It was then I realized why I loved romance fiction: it was not only entertaining and empowering, it seriously annoyed a lot of stuffed shirts.
"For example, romance fiction challenges the traditional patriarchal beliefs by saying that women are equal to men and that they should be as sexually knowledgeable as men, and then compounds that sin by showing that love is a powerful force that should be taken seriously.
"First, romance fiction says that women are primary not supporting characters, equal to men in power, intelligence, and ability....The result: romance fiction is called 'unrealistic.' Second, romance fiction often says that sex is vitally important to women....The result: romance fiction is called 'soft porn.' Third, romance fiction says that love is powerful and important....Result: romance fiction is called 'silly fluff.'
"But if romance challenges patriarchy, why is it so reviled by radical feminists? Because it challenges deeply held beliefs there, too. Good old romance: it's an equal opportunity debunker...."
To finish the essay, click here.
Other sites that talk about the romance novel:
College Candy - In Defense of Romance Novels - Part One
College Candy - Romance Novels Part Two: Are They Anti-Feminist?
Salon.com columnist David Pollard - The Romance Novel: Literature of Liberation
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books - On Happy Endings
After this research, I feel relieved from the guilt that had been bothering me. Yes, I do get the irony that I needed to hear about other people's experiences on the subject in order to feel better about my own experience. But, at least I had the gumption to seek it out.
And, maybe this post will help a few other lovers of romance come out of the closet too.
Hello, my name is Velma and I like reading romance novels.
3 Comments:
The disparagement of romance novels is a lot like the common attitude toward "chick flicks," if something primarily appeals to women than it can't be good or worthwhile. Now, I wouldn't claim to love "romance novels" because when I think of that phrase I think of the formulaic harlequin novels that are essentially the same story over and over again, and don't seem to have many strong women. I don't like them because they're predictable and not very imaginative. There are a lot of novels though that might be called "romance" that I do like, such as "Pride and Prejudice" (the original romance novel), "Bridget Jones' Diary" (modern take off of Pride and Prejudice), "Good in Bed" and probably many more.
Your post gave me something to think about. When I worked at the book store in high school some women would come in every month and buy scores of the harlequin series books, I thought it seemed like a waste of time, but then I remembered that spending your time reading is never a waste if you enjoy it!
Hi Velma, Sorry I haven't had time to comment on you blog in awhile - too much work at for the last half of 2008, but I think things are more under control now.
I don't think you need to justify anything you read, watch, or listen to. I would bet that most people (even though many won't admit it) do something that is enjoyable to give their brain some relief. Of course if you were a public librarian you wouldn't need to worry anyway -- it would actually be an asset for you to be able to recommend mysteries :-)
One thing that struck me in this post is your comment about liking to happy endings, liking to laugh and smile. Personally I think there is way to much contemporary fiction that centers on troubled relationships, the breakdown of a marriage, etc. It boggles my mind why anyone would want to read all of these books. I like to have mix between serious/useful reading and enjoyable/fun reading, and those books don't fall into either category.
Ever considered joining Goodreads?
http://www.goodreads.com/ It's a fun site where you can share book reviews/ratings with friends. Let me know if you decide to join and I will add you as a friend.
jen e.
Hi Velma,
Thought you would enjoy this:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105980104
:-) Jen E.
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