Twilight Saga

I do tend to read historical romances, when I read romances, but I think you have to be very, very skeptical of what is presented as history in those books.  Many of them include reasonably accurate historical events and even actual people, but I think that the depictions of society are far too filtered through the lens of modern thinking to be condsidered accurate representations of the past.  The Regency period in particular has been distorted beyond all recognition by romance novelists.  The number of dashing rakes who just happen to be insanely rich dukes who appear to be useless but are actually deeply devoted to the progressive management of their lands, and who are subsequently tamed by unconventionally intelligent ingenues with dodgy backgrounds and startling beauty, well, it's truly astounding.  Now, I love books like that, but --and I probably sound like an awful snob saying this-- I truly don't consider those books "real" reading.  The plots are always basically the same, they don't use any literary techniques to speak of, there's no exploration of interesting themes, etc.  They're entertaining, relaxing, fun, but I don't think that reading them is any better than watching something good on TV.  If a book, or a TV programme for that matter, inspires people to learn more about something then that's clearly a good thing, but many people read bad books uncritically, and I will never be convinced that that is a valuable activity. 

I suspect this is a topic on which people are likely to have serious and divisive disagreements, and I'm not really expressing my opinion very effectively, so I think I'll bow out before people really start hating me    

The number of dashing rakes who just happen to be insanely rich dukes who appear to be useless but are actually deeply devoted to the progressive management of their lands, and who are subsequently tamed by unconventionally intelligent ingenues with dodgy backgrounds and startling beauty, well, it's truly astounding.  Now, I love books like that, but --and I probably sound like an awful snob saying this-- I truly don't consider those books "real" reading.

So was Jane Austen writing trashy books?  Just kidding!   

So was Jane Austen writing trashy books?  Just kidding!   

Oh, but she was, in a way. She was quite "fashionable" in her day. As was Charlotte Bronte (Trust me, Jane and her love gave numerous women heart palpitations).  Charles Dickens had people in the US in a tizzy that would seem familiar to JK Rowling (lining up to get the first copies of new instalments, demanding that those who had read them on the boat over to the UK announce whether favourite characters are dead).  That's the thing, a LOT of what we consider classic was once...popular (and sometimes, so racy it was banned!). When I spoke with my students about it, I would talk about the immense amount of cultural and background that was more common among the reading class (knowledge of the Bible, usually of some Latin, etc).  It's as if, to read these classics now, we have to first try and catch up on the learning that was assumed then, which is why I think many people get more enjoyment out of them as older teens and adults. Whereas YA written today (and I think that some of that will become classic in due time) is easier to access culturally, which makes it easier to access reading-wise.
And there will always be a place for romance, mystery, westerns, and other "pulp" fiction. The ladies over at "Smart b*tches" have done some fascinating writing on the gender tropes and literary techniques employed in a lot of romances; it makes the experience of reading the well written ones (just like reading the well written anything else) even richer. (Plus, all those dashing rakes!)

When I spoke with my students about it, I would talk about the immense amount of cultural and background that was more common among the reading class (knowledge of the Bible, usually of some Latin, etc).  It's as if, to read these classics now, we have to first try and catch up on the learning that was assumed then...

That's exactly how I felt when I had to study T. S. Eliot's The Waste Land in high school. I also felt like he was just rubbing his education in everyone's face as well. 

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing Eclipse with a friend from work this weekend. And since she has a 12 year old daughter who is bringing a friend as well, we can pretend we are just chaparones. Hehe! 

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing Eclipse with a friend from work this weekend. And since she has a 12 year old daughter who is bringing a friend as well, we can pretend we are just chaparones. Hehe! 

LOL!  I'm planning to see it with MIL.  She's Team Jake's Abs too!   

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing Eclipse with a friend from work this weekend. And since she has a 12 year old daughter who is bringing a friend as well, we can pretend we are just chaparones. Hehe! 

I saw it last Friday when I was having a horrible day, it was all right! I've not seen the others so can't really judge (or did I see Twilight? Can't remember) but really wasn't that bad, J kept asking me questions and cracking me up.

Spoiler: show

Wouldn't his semen be really cold? If he has no blood how can he.... and when Bella says "Jake...stay!" he did the "Jake...Sit up!Beg!Shake hands!" which was obvious but funny

Anyway, definately no  "Labyrinth" though!  *sigh* now there's a mythical person I would have run away with, oh David Bowie and your enormous package, I WILL be your goblin queen!

I saw it last Friday when I was having a horrible day, it was all right! I've not seen the others so can't really judge (or did I see Twilight? Can't remember) but really wasn't that bad, J kept asking me questions and cracking me up.

I saw it last night - it wasn't bad at all (I think maybe my favourite of the 3, although I'm not a massive fan of any of them) .

I saw it last night - it wasn't bad at all (I think maybe my favourite of the 3, although I'm not a massive fan of any of them) .

I'll agree that it was probably the best so far, which isn't saying much, but it's something, lol.

Anyway, definately no  "Labyrinth" though!  *sigh* now there's a mythical person I would have run away with, oh David Bowie and your enormous package, I WILL be your goblin queen!

LOL! 

I do tend to read historical romances, when I read romances, but I think you have to be very, very skeptical of what is presented as history in those books.  Many of them include reasonably accurate historical events and even actual people, but I think that the depictions of society are far too filtered through the lens of modern thinking to be condsidered accurate representations of the past.  The Regency period in particular has been distorted beyond all recognition by romance novelists.  The number of dashing rakes who just happen to be insanely rich dukes who appear to be useless but are actually deeply devoted to the progressive management of their lands, and who are subsequently tamed by unconventionally intelligent ingenues with dodgy backgrounds and startling beauty, well, it's truly astounding.  Now, I love books like that, but --and I probably sound like an awful snob saying this-- I truly don't consider those books "real" reading.  The plots are always basically the same, they don't use any literary techniques to speak of, there's no exploration of interesting themes, etc.  They're entertaining, relaxing, fun, but I don't think that reading them is any better than watching something good on TV.  If a book, or a TV programme for that matter, inspires people to learn more about something then that's clearly a good thing, but many people read bad books uncritically, and I will never be convinced that that is a valuable activity. 

I suspect this is a topic on which people are likely to have serious and divisive disagreements, and I'm not really expressing my opinion very effectively, so I think I'll bow out before people really start hating me    

I hope you don't get the impression that I don't like you! I was only not agreeing with you...!!

I've been out of town so missed whats gone on since I last posted but I guess I didn't make myself clear either! I have never taken what is historically presented in romance novels as "fact" - it merely sparked my interest in history/certain eras and led me to read non-fiction/biographies/take courses in history when I might not otherwise had if I hadn't discovered these books when I was younger!

And well, we will have to agree to disagree on whether romance novels are "real" books - I really think you must have missed out on some of the better ones!

Anyway, definately no  "Labyrinth" though!  *sigh* now there's a mythical person I would have run away with, oh David Bowie and your enormous package, I WILL be your goblin queen!

I've been feeling bad all day but THIS made me have a good laugh and smile. Thanks! 

And well, we will have to agree to disagree on whether romance novels are "real" books - I really think you must have missed out on some of the better ones!

I used to love Johanna Lindsey, but then her books got so bad (and badly edited!) that I gave up on her a few years ago.  I get the impression that she's just phoning it in now that she's become really popular.  Mary Jo Putney and Lisa Kleypas are the main ones I really like these days.  I sometimes enjoy Amanda Quick, but only when I'm in the mood to suspend disbelief waaaaaaaaaaaay far.  She's on a different planet, that one

What would you recommend?   

Anyway, definately no  "Labyrinth" though!  *sigh* now there's a mythical person I would have run away with, oh David Bowie and your enormous package, I WILL be your goblin queen!

HAHAHAHA!!!! YEEEEESSSSSS. 

I used to love Johanna Lindsey, but then her books got so bad (and badly edited!) that I gave up on her a few years ago.  I get the impression that she's just phoning it in now that she's become really popular.  Mary Jo Putney and Lisa Kleypas are the main ones I really like these days.  I sometimes enjoy Amanda Quick, but only when I'm in the mood to suspend disbelief waaaaaaaaaaaay far.  She's on a different planet, that one

What would you recommend?  

Oooh Johanna Lindsey was one of my favorites (years ago...!) I don't read much romance nowadays but have you tried Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series? The first four/five are fabulous...the last two haven't done much for me but are still quite well written I think. And from what I know, she does an awful lot of research and at least tries to be true to the Jacobean-era history :-) If you haven't, I think you definitely *need* to read the first book and tell me what you think!

ETA: Just thought of another - Julie Garwood writes some pretty good historical romance novels in my opinion...it's not as high quality as say, Diana Gabaldon but her books are not formulaic/rapey and they are interesting!