The 'boy meets girl' plot seems destined to go on forever. The romance novel genre is built on it, with seldom a variation. However, that doesn't invalidate the scenario as a portrayal of life. Chick lit romance books make good reading for good reason.
The reason is that almost everyone has had dreams of romantic encounters, and most have had real ones of their very own. Those who have not had the pleasure yet look forward to their first romance. Those who've had one or more encounters with true love like the reminders that reading about fictional romances bring.
It's a fact that being in love is a great feeling. People may dismiss the first rapture as infatuation - and they may be right. But who cares, when falling in love makes every single thing sparkle. Even reading about tragic love affairs - when circumstances interfere (like for Romeo and Juliet) or love is one-sided - arouse strong emotions that people enjoy experiencing.
The standard formula is that a beautiful girl (rarely is a writer skillful enough to engage the reader's sympathies for an unattractive heroine) attracts the attention of a handsome man. Often the girl is poor in true Cinderella style and the man is rich, like the Prince. The opposite works, too; a penniless but drop dead gorgeous and compellingly upstanding young man catches the eye of an heiress.
Whether it's the Cinderella story or a modern reversal, it makes good reading. The inevitable misunderstanding or noble refusal to drag a loved one into mysterious complications moves the story along, but it's the emotional connection that is central and most compelling. In skilled hands, the characters live and breathe and the story line makes sense. Who cares if the formula has been used before?
Some variations on the theme are brilliant, while others are feeble. The recent vampire blockbusters are examples of the same old story with a clever new twist. This is escapist reading at its best, with all the mutual attraction, obstacles to happiness, and danger that anyone could want.
Classics in this genre are 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Wuthering Heights". Not even the strongest critics deny the literary merit of Jane Austen. The comedy of manners is a portrayal of life as it once was; newer romances show modern life as we hope it can be. This kind of light reading is fun and relaxing, and true love makes the everyday world a magical places.
Of course, there are rotten novels, too. But so what? If you enjoy them, then they're OK. And there are a million good ones, so ask around for those your friends can recommend. Then settle down for light entertainment that can make you laugh, cry, and sigh. And if someone makes fun of your taste, lend them one of your favorites. They just might like it.
The reason is that almost everyone has had dreams of romantic encounters, and most have had real ones of their very own. Those who have not had the pleasure yet look forward to their first romance. Those who've had one or more encounters with true love like the reminders that reading about fictional romances bring.
It's a fact that being in love is a great feeling. People may dismiss the first rapture as infatuation - and they may be right. But who cares, when falling in love makes every single thing sparkle. Even reading about tragic love affairs - when circumstances interfere (like for Romeo and Juliet) or love is one-sided - arouse strong emotions that people enjoy experiencing.
The standard formula is that a beautiful girl (rarely is a writer skillful enough to engage the reader's sympathies for an unattractive heroine) attracts the attention of a handsome man. Often the girl is poor in true Cinderella style and the man is rich, like the Prince. The opposite works, too; a penniless but drop dead gorgeous and compellingly upstanding young man catches the eye of an heiress.
Whether it's the Cinderella story or a modern reversal, it makes good reading. The inevitable misunderstanding or noble refusal to drag a loved one into mysterious complications moves the story along, but it's the emotional connection that is central and most compelling. In skilled hands, the characters live and breathe and the story line makes sense. Who cares if the formula has been used before?
Some variations on the theme are brilliant, while others are feeble. The recent vampire blockbusters are examples of the same old story with a clever new twist. This is escapist reading at its best, with all the mutual attraction, obstacles to happiness, and danger that anyone could want.
Classics in this genre are 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Wuthering Heights". Not even the strongest critics deny the literary merit of Jane Austen. The comedy of manners is a portrayal of life as it once was; newer romances show modern life as we hope it can be. This kind of light reading is fun and relaxing, and true love makes the everyday world a magical places.
Of course, there are rotten novels, too. But so what? If you enjoy them, then they're OK. And there are a million good ones, so ask around for those your friends can recommend. Then settle down for light entertainment that can make you laugh, cry, and sigh. And if someone makes fun of your taste, lend them one of your favorites. They just might like it.
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