The “horrid novels” were especially fortunate to have Jane Austen cast a spotlight upon them. So what are they? And why these titles?
Source: How Jane Austen Raised Seven Gothic Novels From the Dead
Tag: Articles
The 11 Best Jane Austen Books (Press This! Business Insider)
According to Goodreads, “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility,” and “Emma” are the best Jane Austen books.
Source: The 11 best Jane Austen books, including one she wrote as a teen
“Coming Out” During the Early Victorian Era – About Debutantes” (Press This! Kate Tattersall)
Extensive article on the subject and great read.
During the Regency and into the Victorian era, the London social season was particularly busy from April to the end of June, but events were held throughout the winter, starting when Parliament returned in late January and included military reviews, dinner parties, and charity events, and went on to the end of July. Débutante (French for female beginner) balls were a highlight, hosted at the grand houses of the aristocracy. Lord Byron referred to these galas as marriage marts, because it was the best venue for young ladies to encounter possible suitors.
Source: “Coming Out” During the Early Victorian Era; about debutantes | Kate Tattersall Adventures
Fabio Romance Novel Covers: A Brief History By The Numbers (Press This! Book Riot)
The famous Fabio romance covers of the 1980s and ’90s were glorious, embarrassing, corny, sexy, or off putting, depending on whom you ask. Because of their prominence, Fabio is shorthand for a man with flowing locks, gripping a comely woman against his glossy, hairless chest in a pose known as a clinch.While Fabio may be the joke romance played on itself, the joke is also on those who can’t get past him — they’re missing out on the fun.
Source: Fabio Romance Novel Covers: A Brief History By The Numbers
The Dashwood Sisters in Sense & Sensibility
The Dashwood Sisters. Could there be anything more entertaining than these two women? They are as different as night and day and both on a pursuit for husbands. Elinor bears everything with quiet decorum and sense. Marianne is outspoken and seeks the thrills of romantic fellowship with no sense at all.
Sense and Sensibility is one of my favorite Austen works. It was her first novel written in 1795 at the age of 19 and was accepted by a publisher and put into print in 1811 (at her own expense, I might add for all you indies out there). Though I’m not an Austen expert by any means, I’m thankful for the many resources available online about her life and works from people who are. I have had the good fortune of seeing part of her manuscript for Persuasion at the London Library penned in her own hand with the name of Captain Wentworth on the page.
I’m not quite sure what it is about this story. Perhaps it’s the yearning for love and silent pining inside the hearts of women that draws me so strongly to their characters. As females, we probably all have a bit of Elinor and Marianne in each of us.
Elinor, who loves the steady, kindhearted, humble man in the form of Edward Ferrars, is the sensible sister of the two. She bears her love and disappointment with quiet restraint while dealing with her sister’s outward and passionate emotions regarding Willoughby.
Though I’ve never had a sister, the fact that they are so different as night and day is entertaining to me. Austen does a wonderful job with each of them telling the other about their own exasperation over the other’s personality. Hear how Marianne scolds her sister.
“I do not attempt to deny,” said she, “that I think very highly of him—that I greatly esteem, that I like him.” Marianne here burst forth with indignation. “Esteem him! Like him! Cold-hearted Elinor! Oh! worse than cold-hearted! Ashamed of being otherwise. Use those words again, and I will leave the room this moment.”
Then there is Marianne — brokenhearted Marianne whose life nearly ends because she cannot have the man she loves. Marianne, of course, is undoubtedly the romantic at heart in this story compared to her sister Elinor who keeps everything hidden for the sake of propriety. Marianne lost all good sense when it came to her infatuation with Willoughby. Gregarious, passionate, and handsome Willoughby fits perfectly into her idealist qualifications of what a gentleman should be. “Mama, the more I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much! He must have all Edward’s virtues, and his person and manners must ornament his goodness with every possible charm.”
Though Marianne is happy for her sister’s budding relationship with Edward, she clearly expresses her thoughts of the deficits of his personality in her eyes. “Oh! mama, how spiritless, how tame was Edward’s manner in reading to us last night! I felt for my sister most severely. Yet she bore it with so much composure, she seemed scarcely to notice it. I could hardly keep my seat. To hear those beautiful lines which have frequently almost driven me wild, pronounced with such impenetrable calmness, such dreadful indifference!”
For me, Marianne represents all of the girlish and hopeful feelings we possess at 16 years of age regarding love. Our hearts are filled with romantic notions of being swept off our feet by the most amiable of men, who can recite to us poetry with heartfelt enunciation that brings tears to our eyes. They rescue us when in distress, are attentive, offer flowers, cut locks of our hair to keep with them, and promise to adore us for all eternity.
Elinor, on the other hand, is the more mature young woman who sees the wonder of what love can be but also recognizes the cruel hurt and devastation it can bring to a female’s heart. She not only sees the terrible effects of a broken heart nearly bringing her dearest sister to death’s door, but she also bears the heartache of love lost to another.
As far as modern adaptations on screen, we have been blessed with two beautiful renditions of Sense and Sensibility in film and television. The 1995 movie version with Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson is a wonderful condensed version. My favorite, however, probably because it is much longer is the 2008 BBC version starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield. The choice of characters for Edward and Colonel Brandon excited me a bit more, as well as the cinematography.
Do you relate to Elinor or Marianne? Are you the sensible sister or the whimsical sister? In historical romance, I love to examine characters, and Jane Austen gives us wonderful ones to enjoy.
| 1995 Movie | 2008 BBC TV | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||
|
|
| 1995 Movie | 2008 BBC TV | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
10 Books Like ‘Bridgerton’ To Read When You Need More Romance (Press This! Elite Daily)
Author Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series of novels is as delightful as the hit Netflix show adapted from it. Luckily, many viewers getting into the world of Bridgerton means quite a few new readers will head to their libraries or local bookstores to check out the books that inspired the show.
Source: 10 Books Like ‘Bridgerton’ To Read When You Need More Romance
Review: Netflix’s New Drama is as Shallow as its Aristocrats (Press This! Vox)
I have a Google alert for anything new that comes up under the term “historical romance.” The past four alerts have been jammed pack with news about Bridgerton and how it’s the next best thing on Netflix to tickle our romantic souls. This review, however, is a rather scathing one in the opposite direction. Three days to release! What will you think about this drama based off Julian Quinn’s popular series?
Bridgerton tries to put a fresh perspective on historical romance, but it forgets to be interesting. “As a huge fan of historical romance, I once longed for Netflix to make a lush, extravagant, twisty series in the vein of the books I loved. But now that it’s actually gone ahead and made one, I’ve found that I have to eat my words.”
Source: Bridgerton review: Netflix’s new drama is as shallow as its aristocrats – Vox
How Bridgerton Can Avoid Outlander’s Mistakes (Press This! Den of Geek)
Bridgerton is one of the most-anticipated premieres of the season. Here are a few changes the Netflix adaptation can and should make to the source material.
Source: How Bridgerton Can Avoid Outlander’s Mistakes | Den of Geek
This is a must-read article that brings up key questions about source materials in books and adaptations to screen. There will be deviations from Julia Quinn’s books in both race and sexual encounters. There are also good comparisons to Outlander and Poldark, which were adapted to screen.
It raises the question:
- Do you prefer historical romance to be accurate to the times in which people lived?
OR - Do you prefer that history be adjusted in historical romance to be in tune with today’s movements towards race equality, the me-too campaign, or sexual orientation?
Feel free to comment.
6 Historical Romances To Read Before Bridgerton (Press This! Cultured Vultures)
If you can’t wait for the swoon-worthy Bridgerton to drop on Netflix, sate that thirst with these six rollicking historical romances.
Source: 6 Historical Romances To Read Before You Watch Netflix’s Bridgerton |
Penguin Random House to Buy Simon & Schuster (Press This! New York Times)
ViacomCBS agreed to sell the 96-year-old company in a deal that potentially creates a megapublisher. A spokesman for Bertelsmann said Penguin Random House had lost market share in recent years and cited Amazon as a competitive threat to the overall book market. The combination of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster would be “below 20 percent,” the company said, citing data from the Association of American Publishers, an industry trade group.
Source: Penguin Random House to Buy Simon & Schuster
What does this mean for readers and authors? Some of your favorite historical romance authors who are under Penguin contracts are Evie Dunmore, Mary Balogh, Amy Rose Bennet, and others. From Simon & Shuster are Julia London, Meridith Duran, and others. The pricey eBook prices from these two traditional publishers of $7.99 and up are no doubt competing with the lower-priced historical romance novels from independent authors on Amazon. The competition for readers is fierce, and the industry is changing to survive.
Bridgertons on Netflix: Costume Designer (Press This! Slate)
Just don’t call them “ugly.”
Ellen Mirojnick on the Featheringtons’ dresses and historical accuracy. Netflix’s upcoming Regency drama Bridgerton promises plenty of sumptuous, tastefully designed gowns—and a few not-so-tastefully-designed ones.
Where was Bridgerton Filmed? (Press This! Welwyn Hatfield Times)
Scenes from eagerly awaited new Netflix series Bridgerton – which premieres on Christmas Day – were filmed in Hatfield.
Source: Where was Bridgerton filmed? Locations used for Netflix series | Welwyn Hatfield Times
First Teaser for Netflix and Shonda Rhimes’ Bridgerton (Press This!)
We get our first long-awaited look Shonda Rhimes’ first Netflix Original series, the romantic drama period-piece, Bridgerton. It’s a romantic, scandalous, and quick-witted series that celebrates the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way, and the search for a love that conquers all.
Handkerchiefs and Flirting Language – Geri Walton
Recently while researching for my next novel, I did a little searching about the use of handkerchiefs. Apparently, they had a language of their own just like fans. This is definitely another interesting tidbit to add to your reality shelves while reading historical romance. Have you found any books referencing the handkerchief flirt? Enjoy.
Flirting or coquetry remained an art form throughout the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian Eras, and handkerchiefs and flirting language became all the rage.
Jane Austen’s Influence on Georgette Heyer by Susannah Fullerton | Jane Austen’s World
Reposting – worth the read if you love Georgette Heyer.
Inquiring Readers, I discovered that Susanna Fullerton, President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia and Austen author, is as much of a fan of Georgette Heyer as I am, perhaps more. This delightful article compares and contrasts the writings of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.
Source: Jane Austen’s Influence on Georgette Heyer by Susannah Fullerton | Jane Austen’s World
Printer Jam: Serious Supply Issues Disrupt the Book Industry’s Fall Season – The New York Times
Read about the pandemic-driven industry publishing woes. “Books that were bumped from spring and early summer are landing all at once, colliding with long-planned fall releases and making this one of the most crowded fall publishing seasons ever.” You thought the market was crowded before? As authors, visibility is a challenge that is even greater.
Capacity issues at the two largest printing companies are among the factors creating havoc for authors and publishers.
Source: Printer Jam: Serious Supply Issues Disrupt the Book Industry’s Fall Season – The New York Times
Here is another article released as well. 590 new releases coming your way in various genres.
Source: 590 books will be released on a single day next week — have publishers lost the plot?
Sanditon: why are Austen fans so enraged by Andrew Davies’ ending? | Books | The Guardian
Get your tissues ready. Half of the world is in tears, and when this hits PBS, the remainder of us will be crying in our tea.
Read More: ITV’s dramatization of the unfinished novel has offended the sensibilities of many Janeites. Alison Flood wonders if this makes sense
Source: Sanditon: why are Austen fans so enraged by Andrew Davies’ ending? | Books | The Guardian
What Makes a Great Historical Romance?
If you ever get to know me personally, you will soon find out that I love to analyze just about anything. My question for the day is what makes a great historical romance book?
To answer that question, I turned toward one-star reviews left for books written by famous historical romance authors from the big publishers. You would think I’d be reading the five stars instead, but what is lacking in historical romance stories has piqued my interest. Here are the top-ten complaints that I discovered.
Predictable Plot. Supposedly, these are books where you already know how it’s going to end after reading a few chapters. In other words, there isn’t a plot twist or anything else interesting between boy meets girl and the happily ever after. The story is supposed to reach a climax point (not the other kind of climax, ladies) before reaching the satisfying end.
Contrived Plot. I’ve seen contrived plots on television but what’s the definition and why does it irk readers? Frankly, there is an excess of comments if you Google the term. Authors apparently stretch plausibility, such as setting up situations that are unbelievable and deliberate or forced and unnatural.
No Tension – No Sizzle. Well, this one is obvious. The hero and heroine are a dud. Is sexual tension always the spice of the story? Of course, how can you believe the love if there isn’t any sizzle?
Too Much Sex or Not Enough Sex. There doesn’t seem to be a happy medium when it comes to this complaint. There either isn’t enough sex or there is too much sex. I suppose a story should come in between the sheets somewhere.
Dialogue. Boy, this one rampant, of course. Historical romances with too many modern statements don’t go over very well. Authors must write Regency-speak or Victorian-speak, regardless if we actually lived in those eras. However, I question whether every historical romance needs to sound like Jane Austen’s writing or Charlotte Bronte’s prose.
It’s a Ghost. This is an interesting complaint aimed at well-known authors who have released multiple books. Statements like, “Makes me wonder who actually wrote it.” “What have you done with the author?” “Someone else must have written this book.” Do you think long careers make some authors fizzle out? Do they rehash plot lines and run out of inspiration? Food for thought.
Boring. It’s either a boring story or boring writing. The boring story is an obvious one — nothing to keep the reader interested in continuing the book. Another common complaint is scenes that are too descriptive. How long does it take to describe a person, a room, landscape, or even a sex scene? Too much is often termed writer’s fluff.
Poor Editing. Surprisingly, these comments are not for independent authors. There are plenty aimed at large traditional publishing houses. It makes me wonder how much author support has been cut back due to financial reasons. An odd style that drives me absolutely bonkers is no quotation marks for dialogue. And don’t get me started on the lack of the Oxford comma.
Unlikable Characters. This brings me back to what is a likable hero or heroine? There are some personality types readers do not like in their books.
No Character Development. Characters are made of cardboard or are fully formed. Character development is a hot topic but also a difficult one to pinpoint. Of course, characters need flaws, positive traits, and growth.
In conclusion, everyone reacts differently to a book. It’s interesting to read polarized positions of the same novel, making you scratch your head if they read the same story.
As always, chime in! What are your complaints? I love to hear from our followers.
Your Admin for Historical Romance Books
The Perfect Hero
The perfect hero in historical romance. Is there one? What fantasy do readers want?
In reality, as much as we are filled with fanciful and romantic thoughts, there probably isn’t a perfect man. Of course, it depends on how you define perfection. Like the variety of readers and their various tastes over heroines, there is no absence of criticism over the perfect male. Once again, I’ve strolled through the reviews of some best selling authors to find out what women are thinking.
There are the usual complaints of women who dislike emotionally scared men (except for Fifty Shades, apparently), along with arrogant aristocrats and walking cardboard characters (boy that term gets used a lot). Frankly, I think women who look for the perfect hero want a type of man they can fall in love with during the story. Women are looking for romance and ways to live vicariously through storytelling, no doubt to soothe our lack of it in real life. If you love historical romance, then no doubt you want a swoon-worthy, good-looking chap in breaches, boots, with a ruffled shirt, and white cravat.
So what is the perfect hero? If we look at the typical male stereotypes in works of centuries past, we can categorize them in a variety of ways.
The Darcy Type – Prideful and arrogant but humbled in the presence of one woman. His good sense and social class tell him to walk away. Instead, he bemoans his tortured and bewitched existence as if he’s helpless to resist. “In vain have I struggled, it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
The Knightly Type – A soulful, kindhearted, and wise man who is your friend. He supports you, chides you when needed, admires you silently, and gradually falls in love. He cares deeply about your well-being and sacrifices his own happiness to ensure your own. When his outward motives reveal a deeper love, he declares the obvious. “Marry me, my wonderful darling friend.”
The Captain Wentworth Type – He suffers in silence over a love lost but clings to the hope that he may regain what he desires. As he quietly watches from the sidelines the love of his life, he waits for the opportune time to once again profess his love. “You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever…I have loved none but you.” Who can deny such a plea?
The Mr. Rochester Type – The tortured soul, who is moody and cynical about life. He has a dark secret, that binds him to another, while in the meantime he lures the innocent and young Jane into marrying him. Even though the Rochester type of hero should contain a warning label, women are drawn to his brooding character. His words of love are filled with desperation. “My very soul demands you: it will be satisfied: or it will take deadly vengeance on its frame.” It’s not until the ultimate tragedy plays out that happy ever after arrives.
The Mr. Thornton Type – A successful man of determination in his business and family life. A bit too close to his mother, annoyed by his sister, but nonetheless respected by his peers. He is drawn to a woman of strong character, like himself, and they clash repeatedly like a stormy sea. “He shrank from hearing Margaret’s very name mentioned; he, while he blamed her–while he was jealous of her–while he renounced her–he loved her sorely, in spite of himself.”
The men above are just a small sampling, and I bet you can think of more.
The Edward Ferrars Type
The Willoughby Type
The Colonel Brandon Type
The Mr. Bingley Type
It’s an endless list of possible men who can make you swoon.
I don’t know that there is necessarily a perfect hero by any means because I believe women are drawn to types and situations when they think of falling in love between the pages of a book. Whether they be an arrogant male, steadfast friend, silent sufferer, tortured soul, or irritating sod, they possess alluring and attractive qualities. Every woman has their type. Of course, that makes it difficult for authors to consistently write the perfect hero!
Do you have a particular type of man that you like to read about in historical romance? Frankly, I like the silent suffering male who cannot live without me, like Captain Wentworth.
All our best from Historical Romance Books!
Dancing 1872 Style – Notes on the Waltz
“A lady – beautiful word! — is a delicate creature, one who should be reverenced and delicately treated. It is therefore unpardonable to rush about in a quadrille, to catch hold of the lady’s hand as if she were a door-handle, or to drag her furiously across the room as if you were Bluebeard…” (A quote from The Habits of Good Society: By Unknown Author, originally published eighteen seventy-two. Copyright twenty-twelve by Forgotten Books).
I enjoy watching period dramas with romantic scenes of waltzes. Some of my favorites are from The Young Victoria, War & Peace, Cinderella the movie, and Crimson Peak. They look so romantic with women in gorgeous gowns being swung around the ballroom by handsome men.
According to The Habits of Good Society, there were rules to be followed if you were considered to be an “accomplished” individual on the dance floor. The introduction above focuses on how men should gently treat the lady. Apparently, if a man is too brusque with a woman while dancing, it may be an indication of how he is in his personal life.
A man should always smile when taking a lady’s hand. The book states, and I quote, “To squeeze it, on the other hand, is a gross familiarity, for which you would deserve to be kicked out of the room.” Also, bowing at the waist is still in style.
I’m sorry, but it’s difficult not to laugh over that rule. Even though the quadrille is a bit outdated in 1872, it is still danced albeit a bit slowly. Too slowly it becomes ridiculous.
The waltz, of course, is the preferred dance of this time period. In fact, the writer of this book wishes he could rave about it for days. He begins by explaining that position is the first importance, as well as the placement of the man’s hand where it should be – at the center of the lady’s waist. The lady should turn her head a little to the left. Oh, and it’s considered atrocious for a lady to lay her head upon a man’s shoulder! Position, therefore, is of utmost importance.
These points are fascinating:
- In Germany the waltz is rapid but it slackens the pace every now and then.
- The Russian waltz men perform like the Austrians and will dance around the room with a glass of champagne in the left hand without spilling a drop. This reminded me of the scene in Crimson Peak where the waltz was done with a candle in the man’s hand that remained burning throughout.
- To be graceful in England, one must waltz with the sliding step. It’s up to the gentleman to steer, keep his eyes open, and watch where they are going to avoid collisions in a crowded ballroom.
- Violent dancing (too fast and reckless) can cause injury. The author apparently had seen an occasion where the gentleman broke his ankle and the lady gashed her head.
There are quite a few more references to various dances, including the Polka. Instructions are detailed. The overall sense, of course, is skill, ability, and following the social norms of treating the female with respect.
The waltz can be such a romantic scene in a historical romance novel. Have you read any lately?
