Clues for the clueless ... men should read romance novels!
Please welcome our guest blogger, local romance writer Sally Sorenson, with something for the guys:
Do men read romance novels? The better question might be, do men admit to reading romance novels. Better still, why not?
A survey done by Romance Writers of America in 2008 found that 9.5% of romance readers are male. It’s a slim number, even when padded out to account for liars. There’s some speculation that men are intimidated by the male cover models, the traditional alpha-male hero stereotype, but that’s hard to believe. Women of all shapes and sizes have no trouble identifying with too-gorgeous heroines. Surely men have equal imagination.
By avoiding an entire genre, men are missing out on great stories of action, mystery, humor and history. They might also be overlooking the key to the universe—what women want in a relationship. After all, most romances are written by women, for women. They are full of fantasy and based on universal emotions. What could be more fundamental than the attraction of men and women whether it be in a historical setting, contemporary, or some far-out paranormal universe? There are clues here, if only the reader takes the time to dissect the message.
In a quirky piece on TheRomanceClub.com by Laura Mills-Alcott, she introduces Guy Hero, who finds that hanging out in the romance section of the bookstore perusing back covers is a great conversation starter, a “chick magnet” that tells female readers he’s a sensitive guy who is trying to understand women. It’s step one of “things we might have in common.” Guy Hero seemed to have a blog link that recommended romance books for men that, alas, wasn’t working. (Due to disuse?) I suspect most the books were by Ms. Mills-Alcott anyway.
Over at Romancingtheblog.com the topic of men reading romance prompted some wonderful posts. One by a former corrections officer said romances are hugely popular reads among even the most hardened prisoners. They would discuss scenes and motivation like any other book club. (The many romance authors who get fan mail from prisons are nodding their heads in agreement.) Perhaps it’s the great plots, well-crafted scenes, or characters who tend to be larger than life. Possibly it’s because of the satisfying endings—the hero doesn’t end up doing time in state or federal.
In romances, the heroes treat the heroines with dignity and respect. From this respect, stronger emotions develop. Hero and heroine most certainly will disagree with one another. What characters worth their ink don’t have strong opinions? They might be obsessed, but that never translates into stalking, because it’s obvious throughout that the attraction is mutual. They will falter, but ultimately both will grow through their fictional journey. And they will do the right thing when circumstances demand it, for that’s what makes them heroic. Ahh, and there’s possibly a little sex thrown in there too, but what man would shy away from that!
Dignity, respect, strong characters, love—women find all that appealing in a good novel. Men might, too, if only to discover what women find appealing. If only they dare read between the covers.
Tags: Romance
January 27th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Sally, your article is right on. But I think more men read romances than gets into the statistics. Because of the wrong impression and the usual lumping of all romances into one basket, I believe it takes a heroic and couregous man to admit he reads them. And I'm proud of those strong men who don't mind admitting it. But I also appreciate the closet readers as well. You know who you are. You are more apt to have a successful relationship with a woman than a guy who'd rather walk through fire than touch one, let alone read it.
Quite a few, tough well-trained brave military men read romances and I salute them for their bravery on all fronts. Three cheers for the military. Look at the great job they are doing in Haiti. No wonder military men are romantic. They are living heroes.
February 1st, 2010 at 12:50 am
Sorry Lynde, but being a male and having read (out of curiosity) some "romance" novels, I can only say that if the level of fantasy displayed in those writings is what drives women, then heaven help them when they have to try and survive in the real world. They will find it a very lonely place, simply because no one man could meet all the pre-requisites of a romance novel hero.
As for lumping all romances into one basket, it's not very hard to do, simply because, apart from a very small number, that's where they all tend to fit. Read one and you have read them all. And that's probably why most men don't read them. Oh and by the way, my relationship with my woman was successful long before I ever read a romance novel.
February 24th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Friends of the Library Readers' Report
We’re working our way through the books listed here. Local Vietnamese wives nodded vigorously over sightings and citings in “Catfish and Mandala” (Andrew X. Pham) saying “people over there speak that way of us who came over here.”
Before returning backstage, a comment on: “Cyberspace Civility:" Blog exposure may be like having too much sun at one time—possibilities of making one’s face red. One posted to me: “You write too often, give others a chance to express their opinion.” A Phd’s response to another piece: “And I resent that Mr. Rath ended his essay by asking, ‘Are you stirred to comment.’”
February 26th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Why We Need Newspapers
In “Homer and Langley” (2209), E. L. Doctorow reminds us why we need newspapers in the first place. (Of course those two were a bit compulsive about never wanting to let go of a good story.):
…They help make humans of us, reminding us of our connections, not only to one another, but to our pasts and what remains of our future.