tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post5235788881539023577..comments2024-02-24T00:24:59.122-08:00Comments on Writer Emily Mundell: A Rant Against Romance Novels...Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-43910970521998345232017-03-21T09:14:00.490-07:002017-03-21T09:14:00.490-07:00As I thought about it more I realized that yeah, a...As I thought about it more I realized that yeah, all the Christian fiction romances I've ever read definitely were setting up some unhealthy expectations and it was actually quite startling how I had never realized it before. I was quite annoyed to be honest. But yeah, Amish Christian romance. Ugh. Can that not be a genre anymore? I think it's full, just saying. <br /><br />Oh, and also, another rant, whenever people write Biblical fiction about women it's ALWAYS just a romance, like the girls have no other agency. They're either a seductress being redeemed by a man or an innocent, godly virgin fighting against the temptation of her emotions for a man. It's not cool. I don't think the women in the Bible had no character outside of romantic relationships. So yeah, that needs to stop too. <br />All these points I'm coming up with now. XD <br /><br />Your binge-eating comment sounds pretty spot-on, I totally agree. <br /><br />To be honest there are the nice cowboys who really aren't that romantically interesting and then the really not-nice ones who I suppose are romantically interesting if you like parties and beer and sleeping around the rodeo circuit. At least that's what it's like here, but yeah. I don't understand the cowboy attraction. Even as a horse-lover I've never been attracted to cowboys. They're too egotistical and often are just show-horsemen anyway. :P And they are NOT BODYBUILDERS EVER I DON'T KNOW WHY THESE COVERS ARE LIKE THAT??<br /><br />Sameeee (about being a romantic/INFJ). I am both a hopeless romantic and a cynic so if it's romantic it better be GOOD is all I'm saying. And yes, it is not the be-all, end-all of anything ever. <br /><br />Haha, I love your TSatS reference there. XD<br /><br />Thank you for reading! Yesss, those titles. I found a great tumblr page dedicated to bad romance novels and yeah, it was quite an interesting experience. There were so many more that I wanted to share but were too inappropriate! :PEmily Mundellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-74099455753564032192017-03-21T09:02:53.080-07:002017-03-21T09:02:53.080-07:00I know right?? The agony I waded through to find t...I know right?? The agony I waded through to find these gems/horrors was great and should be appreciated. There were so many that were just terrible but unfortunately too inappropriate to share on a family-friendly blog. :P<br />I agree completely. Romance is just so much better when it's not the focus of a story. Some of my favorite romances happen in adventure stories where the stakes of the relationship are much higher and people could die at any time and slowly fall in love through their shared traumatic experience. Those are so much better and more genuine, I don't understand the attraction to romance novels. <br />Thanks so much for checking out my rant, Hannah! XDEmily Mundellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-27936564962565515652017-03-21T08:58:55.794-07:002017-03-21T08:58:55.794-07:00YES. Exactly! You made the point better than me. I...YES. Exactly! You made the point better than me. I love what you said about "romance is just one slice of life. And if you zoom in too close on it, you end up with something artificial." That's so true, you hit the nail on the head and I totally agree. That's ultimately the heart of why these novels suck. <br />Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Beth! :DEmily Mundellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-38826848238809633872017-03-20T20:48:17.068-07:002017-03-20T20:48:17.068-07:00Yes, I completely agree with you!! You nailed this...Yes, I completely agree with you!! You nailed this on the head, Emily! Romances create the BIGGEST unrealistic expectations. And "Christian" romance does not mean it's not damaging! I've read some Beverly Lewis (the Amish Christian romance XP) and it wasn't all healthy :/ Wrong was wrong & right was right, but ... Rumschpringe is a do-whatever time of your life, sooo. Hehe. -_-<br /><br />*sigh* While I don't avoid books because they contain romance, I rarely enjoy them if romance is the actual focus of the story. There, I said it. Sometimes I enjoy them initially because I'm wrapped up in the story and the next time ... there's nothing there :/ It's like binge eating or something. Not that healthy.<br /><br />And I live in Texas and can vouch for the fake cowboy thing. 1) not that attractive, 2) not that muscular, 3) accents ain't pretty, 4) yes they do have egos and it is NOT attractive. Or healthy. Again. The exceptions I know aren't seductive people or that tall, so you're outta luck, ladies.<br /><br />I'm a romantic--I am. But I'm also an INFJ, so puh-lease. Romance is not the answer to every life question. It's certainly not my favorite thing about earth, and WHY is there no story without it anymore?! Must we all resort to sorceresses and squids? 'Tis but one slice of life.<br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing all of this. You're a braver woman than me! *cries tears of laughter and shame* Those titles though. Soooo not okay XXXDDDDAbigayle Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01182504899939054458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-69752766674622967622017-03-20T20:14:09.953-07:002017-03-20T20:14:09.953-07:00okay like what even with those titles?!?!?!?!
SEDU...okay like what even with those titles?!?!?!?!<br />SEDUCE ME COWBOY WHY WHY *cringes for 948309284 years* <br />But I so agree. I don't normally read romance like just romance novels (in Christian fiction). <br />I don't love it and like you said, it's an emotional manipulator whether it's on that creepy shelf or among the many many amish books in Lifeway. <br />I like books that have romance as more of a side thing and when it's realistic. Not barbie girls picking up Mr. tall dark and handsome with a pumpkin latte in hand. Hannah Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032229483859881446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-92114099452251536162017-03-20T13:44:50.195-07:002017-03-20T13:44:50.195-07:00I completely agree with you about romance within n...I completely agree with you about romance within novels of a greater scope, rather than romance as the complete focus and "end-all." I believe that is ultimately why romance novels fall short: they portray romance as the great answer to life, able to fill the void and answer the questions of "Why am I here on this earth?" Romance is just one slice of life. And if you zoom in too close on it, you end up with something artificial. Kind of like pretending life is made up of Saturdays (I wish). As authors, we won't actually provide lasting encouragement and inspiration unless we help people embrace all aspects of life (not just the Saturdays, and not just the romance). E.B. Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01307486279928344658noreply@blogger.com