I'm currently reading Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood for my Atwood seminar class. In this, my professor mentioned the influence of Harlequin romances, especially for the story called "True Trash". If, for some obscure reason, you don't realize what a Harlequin romance is, you'd likely recognize it as one of those short paperback (approx. 250-300 pages long) romance novels found at any grocery store and most bookstores. There are many different lines of Harlequin romance novels, as Harlequin is the publisher (Canadian based).
Now then, in Atwood's short story "True Trash", a group of young women read a story in a magazine considered trashy romance. Indeed, I would agree that is a trashy romantic story; in the story, teenage girl (16 yrs old?) tried on a fancy dress while her mother was out, only to have someone come in the house/apartment while she was half-way undressed. The girl rushed to the door only to find that it was a beau of hers (so to speak). This guy, who is a few years older than her, proceeds to pick up the reluctant girl, and they have sex on the couch. Of course, the girl ends up pregnant (just like what happened to her mother) and the guy leaves her. But it has a "happy" ending in that another guy that liked the now-pregnant girl married her and they moved into a trailer park with the baby (+ a dog) and lived happily ever after.
Despite the skipped-over sex scene, if I read something like this that was published today, I would completely agree that it was trashy. However, I am very relieved that I've never read any romance novel like that. (I've read a couple not-so-great romance novels and one horrible one that I might sometime rant about if I'm in the mood, but that's all.) Unfortunately, many critics of the romance genre think that romance novels are still like that. WRONG!
Romance novels are about strong women who find love and support from a partner. It's not about being swept off their feet and rescued because they are weak and worthless without the men. No no no. Romance novels staunchly follow the sentiment of "In order to love others, you must first love yourself". Sounds awfully realistic for fiction, no? How about that, folks. Realistic, healthy relationships with an emphasis on a woman's security and happiness. (Now be careful with what I said there: realistic relationships. I did not say that the circumstances needed to be completely realistic, for example, as in thrill romance novels or paranormal or other fantasy romance novels.)
--Another frequent misconception about romance novels is that they're all sex scenes. Smut smut smut.
My first reaction to that is to say, if there is so much sex in the book, there can't be any room for a romantic relationship to develop. And without the romance, it's not a romance novel. Simple as that.
Second, if people say they've read stories like that, then they are likely reading them from Wanda Wannabe, not from a published romance author (print or e-book published). I.e. they are lying. I double dog dare anyone to find a romance novel without romance.
Books with many frequent, long (and often explicit or graphic) sex scenes are in a separate category called Erotica. Erotica novels might have a bit of romance involved, but the entire point of these novels is to read about sex scenes. These are what my friends would call "porn novels". The biggest difference between the Erotica and Romance genres is the mandatory HEA (happily ever after). Erotica novels are not necessarily concerned with finding a good relationship or having a couple commit to each other in some shape or form. And there are sometimes more than 2 people coupling in erotica novels. 0_o;
Furthermore, only a very small percentage of romance novels include more than 2 people in the romantic relationship & sex scenes/ love-making scenes/ whatever you want to label the dirty deed. And those that do, being more kinky, are sometimes considered Romantica. Romantica is a term used by some, connotating romance novels that are especially steamy or graphic. This category is most often found used online with romance ebook publishers. There are authors that write what I would consider Romantica and still publish in print, but these books are not differentiated from others in bookstores' romance aisles.
"Regular" romance novels novels include an average amount of sex scenes are not super kinky, graphic or frequent. There are also certain authors and even lines of Harlequin books that have the overly modest; light-petting, the bedroom door closes, use-your-own-imagination kinds are available for all the prudes out there. (Hey, the romance genre is diverse and inclusive for everyone.)
I think that's all I've got to rant about today. I'm certain there will be more to come. </end rant>
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