Historical Romance - what's your take?

[dwndrgn]

Historical Romance novels are books that can cause all types of things - people may cringe, sneer, giggle, point and laugh...but it can't be denied that these are genuine stories set in our own history and therefore part of 'historical fiction'.

However, as was pointed out in another thread, these types of books are quite often written terribly fast, often with less than stellar skills, and also quite often with bogus or just plain incorrect historical facts. For these reasons (and others I'm sure), many people put down the genre. But, those that read scifi and fantasy are used to this type of ridicule. So, I thought I'd ask the question.

 

[dwndrgn]

So I voted, and if you are quick enough behind me you'll see that I chose Love them! Because I do. I'll read them despite their silly names, their ridiculous covers, their cliched plot devices, the overly flowery descriptions, etc. I think I enjoy them for the same reasons I enjoy Disney movies - they are safe, easy, predictable and always have a happy ending. Therefore, they make me feel good like a large mug of steaming hot chocolate in front of a fire on a cold day...

I forgot to add: despite all of this, I have run accross an author of this genre who's writing skills and storytelling skills were so not to my liking, her name still sticks to this day (at least 15 years later) as one to avoid.

 

[j d worthington]

Have to go with this because I'm largely ignorant of the field, except for much earlier writers (19th century, early 20th), and haven't really tried getting into it much. However, I like a well-written and well-researched book in just about any field, so I'm not totally against any of them; and I've had more than my share of very intelligent friends who loved the things, so I figure there has to be something going on there that may just not be hitting me.

And, of course, I have to ask: who is this infamous person you mention?

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I voted for "somewhere in between" because I used to adore them (and still do love some of the older ones that I read and reread), but finally became fed-up with 99% of them.

I get disgusted because a very little research would suffice for most writers to learn enough to avoid the vast majority of their errors.

But I do enjoy costume dramas and well-written love stories, and wish there were more of the good ones being published. I'm sorry that so many bad ones bring the genre into ill-repute. There is nothing silly or trivial about the search for true love (as clichéd as that may sound) since the desire for that perfect mate (of whatever gender or sexual orientation) drives a great deal of human behavior.

 

[dwndrgn]

And, of course, I have to ask: who is this infamous person you mention?

Virginia Henley - it was so long ago I'm not sure if she does contemporary romance or historical, I truly avoid her books so I just don't know anymore what she writes.

 

[dwndrgn]

I get disgusted because a very little research would suffice for most writers to learn enough to avoid the vast majority of their errors.

But I do enjoy costume dramas and well-written love stories, and wish there were more of the good ones being published. I'm sorry that so many bad ones bring the genre into ill-repute. There is nothing silly or trivial about the search for true love (as clichéd as that may sound) since the desire for that perfect mate (of whatever gender or sexual orientation) drives a great deal of human behavior.

Have you read Outlander? Very well researched (at least I believe so, I could be wrong ).

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I've been avoiding Outlander because several people have told me that the heroine seems to enjoy being treated badly by the hero a little too much. So even though I've also heard a lot of good things about it, that sounds like it would ruin the story for me.

 

[murphy]

I've been avoiding Outlander because several people have told me that the heroine seems to enjoy being treated badly by the hero a little too much. So even though I've also heard a lot of good things about it, that sounds like it would ruin the story for me.

I don't know about that. It seemed to me she gave as good as she got and the author is very clever. There are some pretty funny moments in the books.

As far as historical romances in general, it depends upon the writer. I like Roberta Gellis, who is a good writer and seems to get her facts straight, as well a writing a satisfactory love story. Sharon Kay Penman is another and for a historical romance with a little fantasy thrown in, there's Judith Merkle Riley.

 

[dwndrgn]

I've been avoiding Outlander because several people have told me that the heroine seems to enjoy being treated badly by the hero a little too much. So even though I've also heard a lot of good things about it, that sounds like it would ruin the story for me.

That's the first I heard of that! Whoever told you that clearly didn't get the story. In any case, I think you'd like it. If not, you could always just put it down

 

[dwndrgn]

I don't know about that. It seemed to me she gave as good as she got and the author is very clever. There are some pretty funny moments in the books.

As far as historical romances in general, it depends upon the writer. I like Roberta Gellis, who is a good writer and seems to get her facts straight, as well a writing a satisfactory love story. Sharon Kay Penman is another and for a historical romance with a little fantasy thrown in, there's Judith Merkle Riley.

I like Judith Merkle Riley's books - very interesting stuff. I found her by accident at the library and read all there were immediately after.

 

[murphy]

I like Judith Merkle Riley's books - very interesting stuff. I found her by accident at the library and read all there were immediately after.

They're reissuing Vision of Light and In Pursuit of the Green Lion. There was a third book, but it only came in German. Hopefully, they'll reissue it in English. Loved those two books.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Actually, several people thought that, dwndrgn. It was the subject of much debate on the SFRT when the book first came out. The author herself was there and personally defended her book and her hero, but in such terms that left me feeling faintly queasy. As a result, it would be hard to convince me that those who disliked the book didn't understand it. Let's just put it down to a matter of personal preference, rather than people on either side of the question being too dense to get what she was going for -- but since those who were put off by the hero and heroine's relationship were people whose reactions in such matters are generally very close to my own, I'm just not tempted.

Let's face it, one reader's idea of a sexy relationship is someone else's idea of one with abusive overtones.

Which is another reason that I don't care for historical romances as much as I used to. Too much emphasis on conflict as a sexual stimulant. Not my personal idea of romantic. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.

 

[dwndrgn]

Gotcha. Although I still don't see how they thought that, my take on it was the opposite as she takes a hard line on sexual predators and rapists and those type of nasties, and goes into what that type of abuse can do the psyche - but of course those that disagree are allowed to think whatever they like. I also never considered it to be a romance, that was always secondary. I consider it a historical adventure and an exploration of familial relationships. I found her take on friendships and families to be quite apt, amusing and realistic.

I say tomato, they say tomahto

 

[dwndrgn]

They're reissuing Vision of Light and In Pursuit of the Green Lion. There was a third book, but it only came in German. Hopefully, they'll reissue it in English. Loved those two books.

Wasn't there one called Oracle something?

 

[murphy]

Yes, the Oracle Glass. Liked it, but it wasn't part of the Vision of Light series.

 

[Snowdog]

Noy usually my cup of tea, but they can be good. I read a book by Georgette Heyer called An Infamous Army, which had the usual romance at the centre. But it also contained the best fictional account of the Battle of Waterloo that I've ever read, and I've read a few.

 

[murphy]

Noy usually my cup of tea, but they can be good. I read a book by Georgette Heyer called An Infamous Army, which had the usual romance at the centre. But it also contained the best fictional account of the Battle of Waterloo that I've ever read, and I've read a few.

Georgette Heyer is one of the better romance writers. She's written some pretty funny books as well.

 

[Snowdog]

I agree, she's a very good writer and captures her period well. She also covers a lot of different periods, though I guess she writes more in the Regency period. Even her pure romances are good reads.

 

[Talysia]

Just found this thread. I voted for 'somewhere in between', because I think romance plays a part in historical fiction, but for me, I like the history aspect more.

 

[aarti]

I also voted for somewhere in between- mostly because I don't read much historical romance except those that are written by the afore-mentioned Georgette Heyer. I adore her