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Post by ruthmadison on Dec 1, 2011 9:23:54 GMT -5
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Post by darkie on Dec 2, 2011 3:39:20 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing
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Post by Inigo Montoya on Dec 2, 2011 8:36:42 GMT -5
I did enjoy it.  |
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Post by mariposa on Jan 6, 2012 19:05:38 GMT -5
I found this really interesting:
"Not all people who enjoy these books are like me. Some may also enjoy these romances just to see a different kind of hero. The term “imperfect” hero came about, I believe, because some people were tired of reading about men who were completely and utterly perfect in every way with no vulnerability, no flaws, no humanity. The muscled guy who went to Harvard and was on the rowing team and now makes billions of dollars and still has perfect abs is not my kind of hero."
But you know, the term 'hero' has its roots in the ancient Greek stage. And as Aristotle defined it, these men (they were always men of course, back in them days) were never meant to be perfect, as the play's audience would never be able to identify and therefore empathise with an infallible character. Rather than redefining the romantic ideal, perhaps us devs are merely more in tune with what most people latently desire?
After all, as you so eloquently put it, it's the pleasure of seeing a man overcome the struggle and then redefining the male stereotype that I definitely find attractive, and that doesn't seem so far away from the conventions of the Greek/Shakespearian hero.
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Post by ruthmadison on Jan 7, 2012 8:34:57 GMT -5
Good point! The idea of the "fatal flaw" is from that period.
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Post by dentelle on Jan 7, 2012 9:27:59 GMT -5
I found this really interesting: "Not all people who enjoy these books are like me. Some may also enjoy these romances just to see a different kind of hero. The term “imperfect” hero came about, I believe, because some people were tired of reading about men who were completely and utterly perfect in every way with no vulnerability, no flaws, no humanity. The muscled guy who went to Harvard and was on the rowing team and now makes billions of dollars and still has perfect abs is not my kind of hero."But you know, the term 'hero' has its roots in the ancient Greek stage. And as Aristotle defined it, these men (they were always men of course, back in them days) were never meant to be perfect, as the play's audience would never be able to identify and therefore empathise with an infallible character. Rather than redefining the romantic ideal, perhaps us devs are merely more in tune with what most people latently desire? After all, as you so eloquently put it, it's the pleasure of seeing a man overcome the struggle and then redefining the male stereotype that I definitely find attractive, and that doesn't seem so far away from the conventions of the Greek/Shakespearian hero. This is why I started to write my own stories. I was sick and tired of the Harlequin and Silhouette Romances and all other ones where everyone was so perfect. So, I made my own up. And I was 17 at the time. I started reading romances at 13. |
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Post by mariposa on Jan 7, 2012 12:40:14 GMT -5
Angela Carter reckons soft romance of the Mills and Boon type is more heinous than hardcore porn. All those unrealistic expectations! Good for you for redressing the balance and being a good little feminist  |
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Post by ruthmadison on Jan 8, 2012 18:00:55 GMT -5
I definitely came to writing because of wanting to read stories with heroes that I was interested in! I think that's true for many of us, almost everyone writing in the fiction section. lol.
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Post by mariposa on Jan 11, 2012 14:46:18 GMT -5
I have accidentally stumbled upon a chick-lit type romance with a quad hero and it's pretty good! And surprisingly mainstream! (in the UK at least - part of the Richard and Judy Book Club). The author has obviously done her homework. However, it has an unfortunate euthanasia theme running through it, although this is not an inevitable outcome. Well, I'm not sure it is, anyway. I haven't finished it yet. I'll write a review when I do. And don't shoot me if the ending is more mawkish than the first half promises.
It's called Me Before You and it's by JoJo Moyes.
Interestingly, there is a chatroom/forum nod in the narrative. I wonder if she's popped in here?
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Post by ruthmadison on Jan 11, 2012 14:48:59 GMT -5
Someone else *just* mentioned this book too! I'm definitely curious to read it.
Just tell me by private message, he doesn't end up killing himself, right?
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