by Jackie Barbosa
For most of us, I think reading romance novels feels more like a guilty pleasure than an educational experience. That’s not to say that romance aficionados consider the books they love to be worthless trash—far from it—but that we tend to look at them as “pop” literature, to be consumed more for pure entertainment than for any practical information we might gain from them.
The thing is, I think we’re wrong. When Bev asked me if I’d like to do a regular feature on The Season for Romance blog, my first instinct was to decline, simply because I have a hard enough time coming up with topics to post about on my own blog. But then I started thinking about blogging about how I came to be a romance reader, some ahem-odd years ago, and perhaps touching on some of my “old skool” favorites. That, in turn, got me thinking about how reading romance as a teenager changed me and my outlook on the world in really practical, useful ways.
All of which is a preface to the first post in a series of (you guessed it) ten. And so, without further ado:
Lesson 1: History Is Boring—NOT!
I have to admit it—I hated high school History classes. All those dates to memorize, all those dry, dull narratives about who did what to whom where. Gah! Having to learn all that stuff seemed like a form of torture. How boring could it be?
And then I discovered historical romance novels. I did so by a fairly circuitous route, because I dipped my toe in the romance waters with contemporary category romances, but I have to admit that those books didn’t leave much of an impression on me since I can’t remember any of them. The books I remember were all historicals, and they were the ones that truly pitched me headlong into my romance with romance novels.
One of the first historical novels/series I remember reading and absolutely adoring is Angelique, by the husband/wife writing team of Sergeanne Golon. Strictly speaking, I’m not sure these books can be termed romances; they were more like the urban fantasy series we have today in that they followed the heroine’s adventures all over the world (Angelique was exceptionally well-traveled for a 17th century French girl, lol, even making it to Barbary in one book) but each book didn’t necessarily end with an HEA. Angelique did have “one true love”—the terribly scarred yet still hot and charismatic Joffrey de Peyrac—and as far as I can remember, she had some HFNs with him, but each book threw new obstacles in their path. There were eight or nine books in the series, at least, and I read every one of them.
By today’s standards, these books are actually kind of shocking and certainly far from feminist or politically correct—there’s a lot of forced seduction, sexual slavery, etc.—but something about them grabbed me when I was 15-16 and wouldn’t let go. Part of it might have been that the heroine was about my age in the first book, and thus, I really related to her (and thought her life was miles more fabulous than my own). But the other element that drew me into these books was the historical detail about life) in the late 1600s. I loved the gowns, the bodices cut so low that nipples were rouged but to show even a hint of ankle would be considered scandalous. I loved the descriptions of King Louie the 15th’s court, which I knew included real people and events. The books made history come alive for me because now it wasn’t just names and dates and events, but CHARACTERS I felt were friends (or, in some cases, enemies).
Another book I remember vividly for its historical details is Touch the Sun, by Cynthia Wright. This book (originally published in 1978) was set mainly in Philadelphia just after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, and the hero, Lion Hampshire, was running for a seat in the first Senate. Real people I was learning about in U.S. History were players in the story, including Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Not only was Touch the Sun a great love story that I read ragged, but it gave me a real appreciation and understanding of the foundation of our nation that history textbooks just couldn’t provide.
It’s also a book that wouldn’t stand a chance of being published today—sadly, post-Revolutionary American settings are “out” with the reading public unless they’re Westerns (and even Westerns are hard to come by). I’d love to see a renaissance of post-Colonial American romances; I don’t know why they went out of fashion as I’m sure I read tons of them in the late 70s/early 80s and I know they had a positive effect on my US History grades. Maybe the publishers can think of the children and pick up a few?
Over the years (okay, decades!), I’ve read tons of historical romances and learned a lot about history as a result. Some of it was probably not 100% accurate, but in general, I think the writers tended to adhere pretty closely to the facts of history where they intersected with the plot of the story. Like most historical romance readers, I fancy I know a lot more about the English monarchy, Parliamentary systems of government, and the evolution of democracy than the average person as a direct result of my reading habits. It would be impossible for me to enumerate the tidbits of historical data I’ve gleaned, but there have been many times when I’ve mentioned some obscure historical fact and realized that the only reason I know it is because I read it in a romance novel.
So, if you read historical romances, don’t think of it as merely entertainment or a guilty pleasure. Consider it as an opportunity to connect in some way to the past and to learn something about a time and place most people never even give a second thought. Romance is good for your head–and your brain, and your mind, too :)!
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Jackie Barbosa is the author of Behind the Red Door, a Regency-set novella anthology published by Kensington Books, and the Grace Under Fire, an erotic short story set in the Georgian period coming from Harlequin Spice Briefs this April. You can follow Jackie on Twitter, friend her on Facebook, and learn more about all her published works at http://www.jackiebarbosa.com.
I’ve been saying this for years! So glad I’m not the only one. I started reading romance when I was 14, smack in the middle of those awful, boring high school history classes. And the books I started with were Johanna Lindsey’s historicals. Specifically 18-19th century Scotland, and her Medieval books. I couldn’t get enough. And reading about people–however fictional–during those times, with (as you pointed out) real-life historical figures made history come alive. To the tune of getting an A from a D in World History my junior year. I still remember the dates and events, but not from the textbook–from Johanna’s books. In fact, I’ve publicly credited her with my ability to pass high school history, as well as introducing me to my absolute, most favoritist genre of reading.
I started reading romances in the early 1980s and since I was swiping them from my mother they were those ENORMOUS historical tomes — I’m don’t think they publish behemoths packed with those kinds of details these days! I loved them and it was a surprising to me to realize that some of the historical information I retained was accurate! Every once and awhile, still, a fact will pop into my head and I’ll realize I now if because of a romance novel. That is so cool…and an added bonus to why I read romance: because it makes me happy.
I love history and historical romance.
I have the Angelique books on my shelf but haven’t read them yet. They are very popular in Germany.
Valerie
in Germany
I think one of the first romance books that I read was Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I remember going through my mom’s books searching for just the right one. After that I was hooked. So I guess I have my mom to thank!
I must have been one of those odd kids but I loved history and paid attention in those classes. I love catching a little something that I didn’t know from my historical romance books.
Jackie, I so love this topic and I love that you’ve mentioned older books! I’d love to read the Lyndsay Sands novels. I absolutely love the cover.
Like the ladies who posted above me, I started reading romance at a young age. I think I learned more from reading than I did in a classroom! Sometimes if I didnt understand a term or words, I was curious enough to research what it meant! LOL!
The first “romance” I picked up was Gone With The Wind when I was 12/13 from then I was hooked on Historical Romance. I know that certain liberties at the time might have been used in the bodice rippers that I was devouring almost every day but over time there seemed to be movement within the writer’s to add more elements. Through the 90s to now places, people, words, behavior… all unfolds as living history as the romance novel story itself blossoms.
Funnily enough, I enjoyed history but took to reading the classics in literature and historical romance to try to improve my vocabulary for the SATs when I was in high school. It was a fun way to aim for my goal.
This was in interesting post; I enjoyed reading it.
What an interesting and great post, Bev. I, too, love history and have learned many aspects of it by reading romance novels. I also enjoy reading about different settings and places of the world.
Great post. I find that I learn a lot about history and culture from reading romance.
I have been reading romance for over 20 years now and think it is fasinating how much writing styles have changed. I like todays a lot better but still occasionally indulge in a old school bodice ripper! I am amazed about how much history I learned from reading romancess it made learning fun for once! I miss early ameriacan romances to and I love romantic westerns and read them all when I find em! Thanks for a great post today!
I said as much to my husband when he started teasing me early on in our relationship about reading romances. For some reason he doesn’t bother me if I am reading a Nora Roberts book but if he sees that it is a historical romance he starts digging in. My husband is extremely intelligent and just laughed at me when I told him I was brushing up on my history. I really wish I had found HR while I was in high school, I think both my history grades and English grades would have been improved.
It’s a shame that romance novels are no longer set during the Revolutionary War or even the Civil War. Many of the 1980s Avon romances were set in the Colonial era and Heather Graham’s novels were set during the Civil War. It reinforced all the history courses I took.
I too have always said I learn something from every book I read. And why shouldn’t history have some interesting facts besides what they teach in history class. I remember a lot more about someone or something when interesting facts are given. Actually, many history books aren’t even factual since they are written by the “victors” or those with the power. And I wish publishers wouldn’t decide what is “in” or not although I do know it’s a business. I remember hearing for most of my life that historicals weren’t “in” but I never agreed! Great post.
I love historicals. I too love that I am able to learn more about what went on back then.
Enjoyed reading the comments. I read all of the Angelique books also. I especially enjoy reading the historicals and I find I have more appreciation for other times and places than the average non-Romance book reader. I have learned a lot of things from reading them over the years.
I love all different types of historical romance and it’s actually made for a common ground with my husband who reads biographies and history books. When we’ve traveled he often amazed by the historical facts I’ve learned from my reading. Most of what I read is set in England and Scotland but one author I found has added a different perspective that was Deeanne Gist and the book was A Bride in the Bargain that was based in Seattle after the Civil War. I picked it up on a whim and really enjoyed it.
It made me realize how much I enjoy reading in general and finding different authors and perspectives of writing romance. My main resolution for 2011 has been to find new authors and expand the genres I read – but historical romance will always remain my passion.
Great post. I have learned a lot about history and other countries by reading romance.
I too have learned a lot about history through reading historical romance novels! I very rarely read anything else!
Chris M
Jackie, I’ve learned LOADS about history from romance – from important dates (thank you, Julie Garwood, for writing about the Norman invasion; I impressed my first English lit prof at UCLA by being the only student to know it happened in 1066) to vocabulary. By the way Madeline Hunter has a fantastic page on about history on her website.
Thanks for this post!
I wholeheartedly agree with your blog on historical romance novels educating the reader with history tidbits one might not have picked up on in those boring History classes. Even today at 55 years young I am still learning or perhaps relearning LoL
Love & Hugs,
Pam
I love historical romance, I think that you learn a lot of history through romance novals
I agree with you. I was never interested in history when I was in school but when I started reading historical romances then history became a lot more interesting. Even th0ugh the romances are about the characters, the historical setting often seems to play a big part in the stories.
I was considering why certain historical romances may have gone out of style. Students are generally hammered with *years* of American history. Personally I wouldn’t want to read a historical romance set in the U.S. (including Westerns) because I had to go through at least five years of American history, and that was before college. Likewise I wouldn’t want to read a historical romance set in the 2oth century in any part of the world because I was particularly hammered with that century. I really love history, and it was one of my favorite courses, but if I’m reading for pleasure, I generally don’t go for something I’ve already had to learn multiple times.
Jackie, I loved your post. I have been reading romances for about 44 years now (now 58 yrs old).
I got straight A’s in my History class and have always loved reading about the different time periods in historical romances. I don’t remember the Angelique books, but if they were written way back when, I might and probably have read them. I think I started out with Barbara Cartland books, but not sure.
I love historical romances because it allows us to see a different type of relationship and courtship.
Great post!
Reading practically is good for the mind. If nothing else, I’ll pick up new vocabulary words. Also, I, too, look up historical events sometimes after my curiosity is piqued by a historical.
I have always felt tht way. History is so mucheasier to learn when it is part of story. Makes it real.
I’ve never thought history was boring, it was always my favorite subject in school. I started reading historical romances way back when, and still enjoy them a lot.
I totally agree! I have been reading historical romance since high school and I breezed through renaissance literature, medieval literature, and even a part of the dark ages! 🙂
I really enjoyed reading your blog post Jackie! I do feel like I’ve learned things from romance novels. Either things about different countries that I didn’t know about or in historicals details about the past.
Have to agree with you. My world history teacher in high school totally turned me off of history. Luckily later teachers rekindled my interest. My American history teacher required us to read one historical novel for class. That was an eye opener. I read LYDIA BAILEY by Kenneth Roberts and loved it. I learned so much about Barbary pirates, slave trade, the West Indies, clothing styles of the time period, etc. It was wonderful. I didn’t discover historical romance (or read any romance) until several decades later. I have certainly learned more about history and the everyday details of life in those books than I ever did in class. I do want the details in the books to be accurate. Why confuse people when it isn’t that much more work to get it right. The more details the more I like it.
It is a bit of a guilty pleasure, yes, but I am learning while I indulge.
I ADORE Angelique. I had all of the books and read them so much that they were pretty much falling apart. After carting them around with me for about 20 years, I finally gave them away, but just recently, I found 6 of the 8 in a thrift store for $0.50 each and promptly bought them all again. My other great love was the Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett – an amazing historical series set in 16th century Scotland with a hero who spent time all over Europe right in the middle of the big events of the time. Wow – you wouldn’t believe how much I learned from that one. People comment all the time on how much I know about history. I don’t usually bother to tell them that I learned pretty much all of it from those books LOL.
Love the blog! I’ve learn a lot of history reading historical romances. I’ve been reading romance since the 70’s.
History is definitely not boring. And, yes, you do learn about it in well researched Historical novels. I read Historicals to travel to places I’ve been, places I haven’t been and places that don’t exist.
I first read some of Jude Deveraux’s & Kathleen Woodiwiss’ stories and really liked them. History is not boring when it’s got a lovestory tha’t speaks to you. The characters from that time make it come alive I think. And I too learned some nifty facts 🙂
I read my first Historical Romance a couple years ago, but I must have read the wrong book because I didn’t come back to it until only a couple months ago. Now, I can’t stop reading romance. I just finished The Wolf and the Dove, Kathleen Woodiwiss and now I’m reading Raeliksen by Renee Vincent right…love it! I’ll have to get a copy of Angelique!
I love History. I tell my older kids I have learned more from my reading of Historical romance then I ever did in school. We readers benefit so much from our Author’s research. I’m greatful for that alone.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com
I have always loved history, so historical romances are my first love. These stories put “faces” to the historical time periods. I have learned great details about the customs, fashion, food, and living conditions while being entertained with a lovely story.
Thank you so much Jackie for this article! I too agree, these books increased my interest in history by providing a different perspective. While not scholarly works, I was certainly intrigued enough after reading them, to research that period of time and pay closer attention. As a result, I am now researching and writing about history before, during & after the American Revolutionary (AR) period for my WIPs series & continue to fall in love with that era.
I also agree that the American Revolution (& post-AR) time frame is a truly fascinating one and worth reviving through fiction. But as I learned in a writer’s conference yesterday, AR is a HARD sell and not ‘in’. Thank goodness, for writers like Beverly Jenkins (‘Midnight’), Suzanne Adair (Paper Woman series) and Lucia St. Claire Robson (‘Shadow Patriots’) -among others – who are reviving AR. It’s so sad to me that the defining events in our country and for us as people are not ‘in.’
They really do give you a more life like view of history. Sure authors will take a little artistic license now and again but they u sually add a note about it. There have been several times I’ve read something in a book and then folled it up by looking more into an event online. History is only boring because history classes shove so much in and make it impersonal. They should just follow the romance novel’s example. There are a lot more voluntary romance readers than history readers. 🙂