Since at least the 1990s, the modern romance novel has dominated the publishing market. It has brought in over a billion dollars year after year (DeFrancis, 2013; Blueberry Hill Productions, n.d.; Nielsen, 2016). At these numbers, romance has dominated nearly a third of the entire publishing market for fiction sales for years (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019; Nielsen, 2016). But romance novels have been popular for well over 200 years.
What we know as the modern romance genre today dates to 1740 with Samuel Richardson’s Pamela, where the story depicts everything from first encounter to happily ever after (Regis, 2007). Closely following the success of Pamela is the ubiquitous Jane Austen, specifically Pride & Prejudice (1818) - which has lasted through the centuries as one of the best romance novels of all time (the sheer number of adaptations, works inspired by, retellings, etc. of just this one novel of Austen’s six is countless), if not touted as the best. Historical romances specifically find their inspiration in the life and times of Jane Austen’s world as the first published historical romance novel was a regency historical romance, Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer in 1935 (Wyatt et al., 2007).
What we know as the modern romance genre today dates to 1740 with Samuel Richardson’s Pamela, where the story depicts everything from first encounter to happily ever after (Regis, 2007). Closely following the success of Pamela is the ubiquitous Jane Austen, specifically Pride & Prejudice (1818) - which has lasted through the centuries as one of the best romance novels of all time (the sheer number of adaptations, works inspired by, retellings, etc. of just this one novel of Austen’s six is countless), if not touted as the best. Historical romances specifically find their inspiration in the life and times of Jane Austen’s world as the first published historical romance novel was a regency historical romance, Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer in 1935 (Wyatt et al., 2007).
At their core, historical romances are a combination of historical fiction and romance, pulling aspects from both genres; the romance itself takes control of the story, with the historical-related plot acting as the support system. For example, Sarah MacLean’s Knockout (2023) plays out in 1840 England, with the core romance being supported by true historical factoids, such as the “marriage mart,” fights for worker’s and women’s rights, class differences between the aristocracy and working classes. Throughout the background plots and descriptions, the reader gains a look into what the world looked with seriousness toned down just enough to be able to immerse themselves in the romance (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019).
There is some debate about how far in the past is “historical,” with designations ranging from 35 to 50 years ago, or pre-1950 (Romance Writers of America, 2017; Popp, 2022). Popular historical romance settings include the Georgian, Regency, or Victorian era in the UK (think Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, or Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series), the American Civil War or the American Old West, medieval periods, and “the ‘golden ages’ of Vikings, Pirates, and Highlanders” (think Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series which covers both some of the Highlander years and 18th century America) (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 220). Of these settings, the traditional regency romance is one of the oldest subgenres and “is considered to be the most elite” (Wyatt et. al, 2007, p. 121). The Regency era traditionally covers the years 1811-1820, but authors have taken liberties to extend the era by a decade or so on either side. Regency historical romances often portray the aristocratic world of the time, with male love interests holding some sort of title (dukes are very common) and the heroines either belong to the same world or are part of a lower class; sometimes, the roles are reversed.
According to the Romance Writers of America (2017) and Nielsen (2016), romance readers are approximately 83% women, mostly between the ages of 18-44, and majority white. They are quite voracious readers, often considered “power users” at their public libraries (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019). Devoted romance readers love reading the genre for several reasons; they feel empowered, the stories provide an escape from reality, and it gives them the opportunity to “explore the complexities of relationships in ways that cause them to reflect deeply on their own lives” (Kleypas, 2017, p. 4). Stories of heroines, and heroes, consistently overcoming the odds in worlds that are designed to work against them is gratifying, uplifting, and joyful. It is not always just about the romantic love (although, who doesn’t love a good love story). As Kleypas (2017) says, “romance novels are about wholeness and the right of readers (and all women) to be accepted and loved for who they are. To achieve. To be heard, to be imperfect, to get back up on their feet after they’ve been knocked down” (Kleypas, 2017, para. 9). Romance novels are about being exactly who you are, no matter what society says otherwise.
There is some debate about how far in the past is “historical,” with designations ranging from 35 to 50 years ago, or pre-1950 (Romance Writers of America, 2017; Popp, 2022). Popular historical romance settings include the Georgian, Regency, or Victorian era in the UK (think Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, or Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series), the American Civil War or the American Old West, medieval periods, and “the ‘golden ages’ of Vikings, Pirates, and Highlanders” (think Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series which covers both some of the Highlander years and 18th century America) (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 220). Of these settings, the traditional regency romance is one of the oldest subgenres and “is considered to be the most elite” (Wyatt et. al, 2007, p. 121). The Regency era traditionally covers the years 1811-1820, but authors have taken liberties to extend the era by a decade or so on either side. Regency historical romances often portray the aristocratic world of the time, with male love interests holding some sort of title (dukes are very common) and the heroines either belong to the same world or are part of a lower class; sometimes, the roles are reversed.
According to the Romance Writers of America (2017) and Nielsen (2016), romance readers are approximately 83% women, mostly between the ages of 18-44, and majority white. They are quite voracious readers, often considered “power users” at their public libraries (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019). Devoted romance readers love reading the genre for several reasons; they feel empowered, the stories provide an escape from reality, and it gives them the opportunity to “explore the complexities of relationships in ways that cause them to reflect deeply on their own lives” (Kleypas, 2017, p. 4). Stories of heroines, and heroes, consistently overcoming the odds in worlds that are designed to work against them is gratifying, uplifting, and joyful. It is not always just about the romantic love (although, who doesn’t love a good love story). As Kleypas (2017) says, “romance novels are about wholeness and the right of readers (and all women) to be accepted and loved for who they are. To achieve. To be heard, to be imperfect, to get back up on their feet after they’ve been knocked down” (Kleypas, 2017, para. 9). Romance novels are about being exactly who you are, no matter what society says otherwise.
References
Libraries, 59(4), 20-22.
Kleypas, L. (2017, December 8). Hilary, please don’t reject romance novels – you are a romance novel heroine. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/hillary-you-are-a- romance-novel-heroine/2017/12/08/64bac658-dc2e-11e7-b1a8- 62589434a581_story.html
MacLean, S. (2023). Knockout. Avon.
Nielsen. (2016, May). Romance readers by the numbers. https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2016/romance-readers-by-the-numbers/
Popp, I. (2022, April 27). What makes a book historical fiction? Book Riot. https://bookriot.com/what-makes-a-book-historical-fiction/
Romance Writers of America. (2017). About the romance genre. https://www.rwa.org/Online/Advocacy/About_Romance_Fiction/Online/Romance_Genre/About_Romance_Genre.aspx?hkey=dc7b967d-d1eb-4101-bb3f-a6cc936b5219
Wyatt, N., Olson, G., Ramsdell, K., Saricks, J., & Welch, L. (2007). Core collections in genre studies: Romance fiction 101. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 47(2), 120-126.
Wyatt, N. & Saricks, J.G. (2019). The readers’ advisory guide to genre fiction (3rd ed.). ALA Editions.
I've often heard Pamela referred to as one of the most boring books in the English language. It seems like harsh criticism for something that helped create the romance genre and, really, the novel as a literary form in general. I haven't read it so I can't really comment on why that may be, but it makes me wonder. I think the romance genre has adapted pretty well over time and I love that there are so many readers (enough to push it to a third of the publishing market)!
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know Pamela existed until I started looking into this further, but that makes me chuckle that you've heard that. It makes me wonder if part of that is because we have so much other romantic content prior to Pamela - Shakespeare and Sappho always some to mind - that is so popular and well-known as being romantic that makes the book just fall short. Honestly, I know I'll probably never read it so I will never be able to provide an honest opinion.
DeleteI feel like another common, newer historical era that romance novels use is 1941 America, during World War II. I like how you refer to a lot of example titles. I can infer from what I know about these titles to help understand what you are saying here.
ReplyDeleteI had to read “Pride and Prejudice” in while getting my undergraduate degree. It’s not my particular cup of tea, but I respect that it lead the way in making its genre. The dominance of romance novels in the publishing market for over 200 years is pretty amazing. I like that it is always mutating and changing. I do like the Bridgerton series.
It seems like a lot of authors that can’t find a specific time in the past to make their romance book setting invent and world-build now, and they end up making a romantasy. I respect the effort when authors do the work to make the story line up with real history.
I am not a strong romance novel person. But, I found your essay interesting especially how old romance novels are historically, and how romance was look down because of the appeal to women.I love your last line: "Romance novels are about being exactly who you are, no matter what society says otherwise."
ReplyDeleteGreat summary and discussion in the comments!
ReplyDelete