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Reply With Quoteanother vote from me. I read very quickly, so a lot of books don't take me anytime to read....Originally Posted by McJag
Wasn't everyone forced to read The Lottery?
I didn't start out to collect diamonds, but somehow they just kept piling up.-Mae West
another vote from me. I read very quickly, so a lot of books don't take me anytime to read....
It doesn't bother me a bit if people only enjoy Harlequin romances, but if anyone tried to pass it off as good literature, I would laugh. I have read and enjoyed my fair share of fluff. I like Elizabeth Peters' mysteries; I enjoy the characters and the humour, and the setting in Egypt. But I recognize it for what it is: simple, light escapism- not great literature.
As I see it, the quality of literature has not so much to do with the subject as it has to do with how the sentences are crafted and the words are weaved, and how insightful and observant it is of human nature. A novel about romance will not necessarily be trash anymore than a novel set in Russia during the Napoleonic Wars will inherently be great. It is dependent upon the skills of the author. If someone were to present me with a truly well-written bodice ripper, I would be happy to read it.
I used to call them "Girl in front of the house" books, because there was a big house & she was always running left,sometimes right. I tried several when I was 13. By the 3rd one,it dawned on me they have the same plot. Girl. 2 men. Something sinister happens. Which one is really the good guy? It could be A or B-which seemed to be the only suspense. My Aunts adore them, so fine with me.
I didn't start out to collect diamonds, but somehow they just kept piling up.-Mae West
Well even Tolkien had his romance side lines.
Yeah most romance books get to the sex by page 150 at least.. which is why I have to mix it up with some true crime and some factual period stuff. I've never been to jazzed about the age differences, the girl is always 18 and a virgin, the man is 30 something rich and hot. Ya gotta laugh. Speaking of laughing it cracks me up that I'm into vampire romance... me who won't watch a scary movie because I'm to chicken.
Ravenna - thing is I consider Jane Austin good literature and yet in her day she was considered a fluff writer. Which makes me think maybe in a hundred years or so one of these fluff books might be considered a classic. .. hey ya never know
I wouldn't say forced. I'd say given the honor of reading such a great story.
Don't forget the pseudo rape scene usually included. I once read that romance novels that have a rape/forced seduction (whatever that is) scene sell much higher than those without.
'Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.' Ben Franklin
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." --Sinclair Lewis
That makes no sense whatsoever. Stories with pseudo rape scenes sell better? What kind of mess is that?
Yeah, it's fucked up but apparently there are a lot of ladies out there who want to be taken with force or someting. I'll try to find the thing I read, although it was a long time ago.
'Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.' Ben Franklin
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." --Sinclair Lewis
Once digital readers improve, i see all the newspapers, magazines, Harlequin & Jackie Collins novels disappearing off the shelves.And they'll offer digital coupons for new stuff. I'll buy one after the upgrades.
"the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone"
They already have newspapers digitally. I dont know if theres an app for that on the iPhone but its on the Droid.
Good news is Im sure many trees are breathing a sigh of relief.
My point and I was trying to make one was.... todays romance crap/fodder for house wives, might be considered a classic sometime in the future. Maybe but not likely.
I really don't know whats going to happen in the future. I know the market for authors has waned over the years and if we are talking about the printed book on paper I think in the future there won't be a need just like we don't need to wear fur because we have other resources. The book will be in the form of a electronic device.
As it is you can go the the library sitting in front of your computer and download a book.
Speaking of romance novels my mother used to read a writer called Rosemary Rogers. I read a couple as a teen but completely forgot about them until this thread. Lots of cold women melted by hot half breeds (I*m serious). I may have to order one and see just how crap they really were.
'Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.' Ben Franklin
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." --Sinclair Lewis
^^ I sent my daughters to private school, then once in public school I found out that my younger daughter was not reading on grade level. So during the summer she spent time with her grandma with instructions to read more. So I get a call to come to school, she got caught with a romance novel during class (she was in middle school) I asked her where she got the book, she said "grandma" Well fast forward to today, she is a author herself - she doesn't write romance books.
My Mom and I swapped books now and again but when they make the days of yore look romantic I remind myself there was no air conditioning or cars or birth control or equal rights........ LOL
"Creepy, like when Tom Cruise laughs." - Bloodhound Gang
"They can take our ignorance when they pry it from our cold dead minds." - Stephen Colbert
Wow. That freaks me out.
'Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.' Ben Franklin
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." --Sinclair Lewis
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