Now normally when I place a question mark in the title, it means I intend on answering a question I have posed. This time, I kind of don't really have an answer, I'm just reacting to something I have noticed as of that.
I went to my local library a few mere weeks ago and decided to have a little fun, I checked out three romantic novels, a genre I had yet to really read until now.
One was steamy and erotic, one was your typical "romance is the bestest", and this last one doesn't seem to be like the others but I'm only one-hundred pages in. Now, the first and last one decided it was important to have massive plots, like an epic, and both were magic based. The second one did not do anything like that, romance was the main plot, and everything else felt like a subplot, which if I'm being frank barely went anywhere and were obviously just excuses for the main plot to happen.
Now, the epic plot ones did admittedly have their plots as romance excuses as well. During the reading of the first one, I wondered why it bothered. I knew why I was reading it, the author knew why I was reading it, I felt like it could have just gotten away with the romance stuff and had no reason to have the other plot unless the author just really wanted it that badly. However, I did still like the plot. It was written well enough, and it didn't bother me.
I've let it stew in my mind, and I like the book more now. I'm reminding my own brain that the plot worked, that the author is a good writer and knew what she was doing, it may have made the book better and maybe it just simply didn't decrease the quality of the book, and really, that's what I ask for in a lot of media. It didn't distract me by feeling out of place for the kind of characters and setting the story had. So far, the last book is working out that way as well.
The second book made me laugh, and not because it was good. It was hokey, melodramatic, and frankly sickeningly sweet. More sinisterly and cynically, it felt like the author did not care about making something people would like. This felt like a cash-in, writing a book in a genre that is popular among book readers. Despite being a love story, there was no love from the author. I could be wrong, but that's what it felt like.
After all of this, I'm reminded of a quote. Popular Internet celebrity Lindsay Ellis, in I believe her "Nostalgia Chick" review of When Harry Met Sally...., stated that romance is often a subplot instead of a main plot. I don't remember if that was the video, or if the video still exists after the death of Blip, so I can't link it due to those uncertainties. Nonetheless, I'll try to recall why she said it, barring in mind it's been years since I heard the quote, but even if it's my interpretation there is still a valid point here. I believe she claimed that romance is typically viewed as boring by the typical audience member, that they want something else and need romance as a side thing. A special sauce, if you will, and that is definitely my words. I mostly agree with her, while also seeing that romance novels are incredibly popular reads.
After what I've read, I think even with romance novels, the main plots tend to end up being something else. Perhaps making them be obvious excuses for the romance to happen may be the case, but I can attest this can be done right.
Before, my question was a serious one. I wondered why there was a point. Now, it's a question I can't think of a serious answer for. From what I've seen, there do seem to be a good number of romance novels that insist on grandiose plots. At first I wondered why they needed to go so far into it said plots when the reader obviously wants just two people in love.
After reading all of one, and in the process or another. No, I get it. I get that having a regular plot, but with a stronger romance subplot than normal, does in fact make an enjoyable experience. Or, maybe just a romance main plot with an epic subplot.
I'm becoming fascinated by this genre now. Sadly, I tend to be fascinated by certain genres quite a bit, and then go on to my normal tastes a while later. Maybe I need to listen to my impulses and read more before I move on. It's a nice change of pace to be fully invested in the romance between two people, and then later digest what was a nicely written and in-depth plot.
Who knows?
I'm still saying there is nothing wrong with a story that is purely just the romance. Even if the one I read made me laugh at how awful it happened to be. I guess it's just more to choose, and variety is nice.