Bodice- Ripping FictionBooks figure into much of my conversation (duh) and after the inevitable “Oh, you’re a reader!” people ask, “So, what do you read?”
To which I answer, “Anything but modern horror / suspense / crime, westerns and self-help.”
Which is true; I deliberately read from a wide array of subjects and genres, both fiction and non-fiction.
But cleverly disguised in this statement is a truth many don’t realize.
I read Romance Novels.
And inevitable when people know that, they’re opinion of me drops significantly and I get the, “Oh, you read those sort of books. Well, I thought you read real books.”
I could rain verbal fire and brimstone on such ignoramuses (what is the plural of that? anyone?) who dare judge me by the books I read, but then, that’d be hypocritical, because up until a few years ago, I responded the same way.
Romance Novels take a lot of criticism, both from literary critics and from people with moral objections.
One common criticism is they are female porn, no different then Playboy. Another is they promote an unrealistic view of romantic relationship and sex.
Some Christians believe it is a sin to read them. Some think its okay as long as there’s no sex or kissing and the heroines believes in God.
I think, for some people, reading them is bad. I agree that some are more pornography than story. When I was single, I knew God did not want me reading them. But now, I don’t feel the same. Even so, I still occasionally return a book to the store after reading a few pages because it is more explicit then I’m comfortable with.
I don’t find myself possessed of an unrealistic view of love from them. Perhaps it’s my personality (logic over emotion) or the fact I live in a real marriage in the real world or that I don't believe real love is easy.
In the end, I find them an occasional respite from the less-fluffy classics or non-fiction and an enjoyable story form.
But I know many people think differently than I.
So, here’re my questions:
Do you think Romance novels are “real” literature?
Do you think reading them is A. a Sin for everyone, B. a Sin for some (like alcohol) or C. a Sin for no one?
Why do or don't you read them?
Esprit de l’escalier: “Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart.” ~ Salman Rushdie
Theading Roughts: This was the most recent read. I average about 1 every 4-6 weeks, mostly when I tired and just want a good story. This author is a favorite because she writes historical fiction (my preferred sub-genre) with amusing characters, good dialogue and a bit of humor. | 
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i must say that the title of 'bodice ripping novels' or something to that effect got my interest picqued. personally speaking i know that some of the supposed romance that 've read in the past i could liken to porn in the fact that it was entirely about the lead up to and the description of the sensational sexual experience, which generally has no reflection on the reality of sex in a realtionship at all and deflates the actual experience for someone yet to experience it. i would deep Harlequin's as being under this catagory. after reading a few, i'd find that i could pretty much find the three chapters that had the sex in them, read that and forget abotu the story, cause really what kind of REAL story line do those books have. sure its escapism but after awhile even escapism needs to intrigue...something that they definately don't do for me. I'll admit as well that i have personally read books that had a bit too much sexual content for myself, one of which i was particularly upset by because it was supposedly made into a Hallmark movie (i dont' remember the name of the book) and so i started reading it with that premise of good quality in my head. after the fourth incredibly detailed and prolonged sex scene i had to get rid of the book, or further fill my mind with needless garbage, and over sensationalizzed encounters.
i now read historical romances, mainly. i have read alot of the Barbur Publishing 4 in 1 romances, which i find to actually have a bit of storyline, and although they are Christian, do not always have a preachy tone to them, but rather sometimes a very realistic struggle with a relationship with God and the world. i find them refreshing and while a bit of escapism for me, i do findt that they show a bit more realistic version of relationships and the tension that is found between a man and women. i also read a series lately by a non christian authro that i was very impressed by. there was indeed a fair amount of sexual tension in the book, but the story was NOT about the tension but rather the STORY and development of Characters. it intrigued me. sadly i also bought some other books by this particular author and found that she is indeed incredibly explicit in her other stories, sadly.
personally i think that as a single woman, who has had struggles with pornography and an unrealistc view of sexuality, that not all romance is ideal for me to read or beneficial. i do not think it is a sin to read it, howeve ri think that to indulge in certain books espeically if i know their contents would be indulging sin for me personally. i think that someone who is able to read them and not be affect by it or see it in its proper light should be able to read whatever they want.
i do agree with you that there is a certain viewpoint associated with reading of romance, and how that is not 'real' fiction. i think that is why i tend to gear towards storylines that i know will have a story and not just pure romance, perhaps it is an unacknowledged idea in my head. if i was to see a Harlequin in someones hand and they deemed that reading matierial i might have cause to wonder, but just any book i'd have to say i'd just say 'oh what's it about'. i have read several of my Barbour books at work and gotten teased mercessly because they usually have the words 'Wedding' or "brides' in it..and they are like OHHHh what are you reading. but i just figure they dont' know what they are talking baout.
sorry to write a small epistle here, but this really rang true for me. thanks for writing this.