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Romance Novels Are Literature

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As a seasoned cinephile with a library card that doubles as a passport to countless literary adventures, I must confess my undying affection for the oft-misunderstood genre of romance novels. Like a secret stash of candy concealed at the back of the cookie jar, these colorful spines have been tucked away in the corners of bookstores and libraries, their allure hidden from the uninitiated.

Investigate the farthest corner of the bookstore. Proceed to your left, continue walking to the back, descend the stairs, pass sections dedicated to mythology and social sciences. You’ll find it on the last shelf, overflowing with paperback books whose vibrant spines resemble candy hearts. Alternatively, you might locate it between the tabloids and chewing gum at the supermarket checkout. There, you’d discover a rack filled with compact books adorned with images of hands gripping waists.

Regardless of the situation, whatever you’re searching for will be carefully stored, set aside in nooks, always kept at a distance from formal literature. Truth be told, it isn’t traditional literature, is it? It’s more like romance. A hidden indulgence, a passionately emotional secret, an entertaining diversion. The romance genre holds such a prominent place in American culture—approximately a fourth of all adult print fiction sold—that most people have already formed an opinion about it without even cracking open a book.

In a talk found in her compilation Words Are My Matter, renowned fantasy author Ursula K. Le Guin criticized literary critics who dismiss genre fiction without proper understanding, stating that they “risk appearing ignorant, as they lack the knowledge to interpret the book correctly. They have no background information to guide them on its origin, purpose, and impact, or what it ultimately achieves.”

In our literary journeys, it’s hard to count how many of us have stumbled in the realm of romance, yet as a romance writer and reader, I frequently witness this. It’s as ordinary as a sweet kiss. Those unfamiliar with the genre often dismiss it as quickly and repeatedly as a scandalous duke stirring up gossip. Looking at TIME’s list of The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now, one can’t help but question: What is it about romance that leads to such widespread criticism?

As a literature enthusiast, I firmly believe that great novels serve as a reflection of humanity. When it comes to examining works deeply rooted in literary tradition, romance stands out with its depth and richness. If one considers the term “literature” to imply skillful craftsmanship, unique perspectives, scholarly rigor, or broader thematic significance that transcends the text – let me assure you, there are countless romance novels that embody all of these qualities, and more. In fact, I’ve read a hundred such novels that deliver an engaging, thought-provoking experience.

Consider an age-old convention within the romantic genre: the conditional inheritance, where an heir or heiress cannot access their wealth until they marry. This trope was solidified by Frances Burney in her 1782 novel ‘Cecilia’. From Cecilia, we can trace a continuous thread to Georgette Heyer’s troubled Viscount Sheringham in ‘Friday’s Child’, written a century and a half later. As time progresses, moving through the marriage-of-convenience romance novels of the 80s and 90s, we arrive at the 21st century. Here, an heiress marries the bagpipe player from her aunt’s funeral in Rebekah Weatherspoon’s ‘Xeni’, and a chef forms a false relationship with a stranger to secure his grandfather’s approval and fortune in T.J. Alexander’s ‘Chef’s Choice’. These books all share a common history, born out of authors refining the same set of writing techniques over 350 years. A discerning reader of romance recognizes a quality work because they understand what those tools can create when wielded skillfully.

In delving deeper, we could explore the possibility that Jane Austen derived her iconic title for “Pride and Prejudice” from the closing chapter of “Cecilia,” which carries the phrase, “The entire unfortunate incident stemmed from pride and prejudice.” This novel set the stage for countless romances, where adversaries transform into lovers, and solitary figures fall for feisty heroines – a pattern evident even in my own work, “Red, White & Royal Blue.” We could discuss Austen’s Mr. Darcy, Charlotte Bronte’s Mr. Rochester, and the Byronic hero, and how modern romances featuring complex, transformable romantic leads continue to play on our affection for these characters, fulfilling and subverting our expectations.

Instead, let’s delve into the significance behind it all, and the tantalizing pursuit of writing romance: the profound bond that develops between the literature and its readers.

Romance, at its core, is primarily an expression of emotion. It’s a marvelous illusion that transforms written words into feelings of joy in the mind. The themes and conventions within this genre have been refined over centuries, not just to echo the sensations and aesthetics of love and resolution, but to genuinely evoke them in the reader. To cast the spell successfully, you need the reader’s unwavering faith. A skillful romance author possesses the talent, intuition, compassion, courage, and understanding of the genre to earn this trust.

Skilled romance authors have a knack for timing suspenseful pauses to create tension or choosing just the right word to reveal vulnerability beneath a character’s tough facade – enough to captivate readers but not too much to be noticed by their love interest. They intuitively grasp the subtleties of human interaction, including its small triumphs and setbacks. They meticulously place details with purpose, from a delicate blossom in a garden where a love confession takes place to the subtle touch of a hand. They can evoke emotions with a well-chosen reference that resonates deeply. They masterfully control the pacing of desire and rejection. In fact, some romances are so vividly written they can cause real emotional turmoil, like the detailed descriptions of historically accurate clothing in certain stories that feel almost physically uncomfortable to read.

Frequently, I ponder over the possibility that people might be hesitant about approaching romance with sincerity due to its nature. Despite being presented in various playful, somber, or witty ways, it essentially embodies honesty. Being vulnerable and open to emotional experiences can feel risky, and when we feel uneasy, we tend to laugh as a way of coping.

However, when we refuse to find humor in things, shy away from facing our emotions, or pretend to be above it all with our sophistication and intellect, we are missing out on the profound insights that romance offers about our true selves. This, I believe, is one of literature’s primary roles.

McQuiston is known for penning Red, White & Royal Blue, One Last Stop, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, and The Pairing.

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2024-08-01 16:07

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