Fifty Shades of White
April 4, 2019 6:05 AM Subscribe
For the Guardian, Lois Beckett does a deep dive into recent efforts to address racial exclusion in the romance novel community.
Featuring: Beverly Jenkins, Alisha Rai, Alyssa Cole (previously), Kianna Alexander, Sandra Kitt, Suzanne Brockmann (link to the Rita award speech mentioned in the article, starts at 47:00), Shirley Hailstock, and a brief mention of Courtney Milan (previously). Also some racist white women, to whom I won't link.
The romance novel industry found itself facing a similar crisis over racism and representation as Hollywood, or the news industry, or the Democratic party. But one thing that sets it apart is that it is facing this challenge as an industry dominated by women – specifically, white women. Would anti-racist activism, and the backlash against it, play out differently in an industry run by women – and, in particular, by women who were writers and readers, who by definition loved stories of joy and reconciliation?Spoiler alert: not really, although things may be improving a bit.
Featuring: Beverly Jenkins, Alisha Rai, Alyssa Cole (previously), Kianna Alexander, Sandra Kitt, Suzanne Brockmann (link to the Rita award speech mentioned in the article, starts at 47:00), Shirley Hailstock, and a brief mention of Courtney Milan (previously). Also some racist white women, to whom I won't link.
This is an amazing article and doesn't even include the fact that a romance novel by a black woman was just Reese Witherspoon's book club pick in February, which was a huge deal (full disclosure, the author is a friend).
Also, I think it's super important that they put brown nipples right up front there (hopefully people can extrapolate to other body parts). Celebrate body diversity! We're all hawt.
posted by wellred at 6:53 AM on April 4, 2019 [10 favorites]
Also, I think it's super important that they put brown nipples right up front there (hopefully people can extrapolate to other body parts). Celebrate body diversity! We're all hawt.
posted by wellred at 6:53 AM on April 4, 2019 [10 favorites]
Back on topic: I've never been a big romance reader, even though I find certain niche aspects of the genre totally fascinating (like the chaste Amish romances, which a friend's grandmother eats up like pie). My reading slate is a little full right now because spring quarter just started, but I'm super looking forward to dipping into some work this summer by the authors mentioned here. Any great books by these ladies that I should push to the top of my list?
posted by palomar at 7:26 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by palomar at 7:26 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Thanks for this link. It was a great round-up of the situation. I follow Courtney Milan and Alisha Rai on Twitter which keeps me pretty much on top of this stuff but it's nice to see it all laid out.
“I’m inundated with politics,” Meredith continued. “I want a space where I’m not. That doesn’t mean you can’t talk about being inclusive. Love is love, and I agree with that.” Meredith said she wanted RWA to address diversity without being overtly political. “Maybe it’s old age, but I feel like everyone is trying to push everyone apart. My gang is the good gang. If we’re all divisive, divisive, divisive, we’re screwed.”
What Meredith said about wanting a space without politics echoed what Kianna Alexander had told me about why she had left the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers group: the sense that some people saw politics as distant or optional, rather than something that directly shaped their lives. For Alexander, Trump’s mockery of a disabled reporter during the campaign, his open racism, were personal threats to her, her husband and her son. There was no space where she could avoid politics.
This part of the essay really resonated with me, because it's been one of the hardest things for me to internatlize as a white woman who tries to be an ally. The political is personal to women of colour in a way that it is not for me, and the desire and ability to step away from politics is privilege. A demand to be inclusive and build diversity is not more or less divisive than the status quo. It looks divisive to white people because it forces us to make room for others and maybe even give up some of our space, but all along we've been forcing people of colour to stay out of that space.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:45 AM on April 4, 2019 [19 favorites]
“I’m inundated with politics,” Meredith continued. “I want a space where I’m not. That doesn’t mean you can’t talk about being inclusive. Love is love, and I agree with that.” Meredith said she wanted RWA to address diversity without being overtly political. “Maybe it’s old age, but I feel like everyone is trying to push everyone apart. My gang is the good gang. If we’re all divisive, divisive, divisive, we’re screwed.”
What Meredith said about wanting a space without politics echoed what Kianna Alexander had told me about why she had left the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers group: the sense that some people saw politics as distant or optional, rather than something that directly shaped their lives. For Alexander, Trump’s mockery of a disabled reporter during the campaign, his open racism, were personal threats to her, her husband and her son. There was no space where she could avoid politics.
This part of the essay really resonated with me, because it's been one of the hardest things for me to internatlize as a white woman who tries to be an ally. The political is personal to women of colour in a way that it is not for me, and the desire and ability to step away from politics is privilege. A demand to be inclusive and build diversity is not more or less divisive than the status quo. It looks divisive to white people because it forces us to make room for others and maybe even give up some of our space, but all along we've been forcing people of colour to stay out of that space.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:45 AM on April 4, 2019 [19 favorites]
Any great books by these ladies that I should push to the top of my list?
Alisha Rai: Her Forbidden Hearts series is small town, contemporary romance series with a lot of diversity built in. The second book, Wrong to Need You, is my favourite.
Courtney Milan: She writes mostly historicals which have some elements of diversity in them, but if you're looking for truly diverse novels, check out her contemporary Cyclone series. Particularly Hold Me.
Alyssa Cole: An Extraordinary Union made it onto best book lists for a reason.
I have to admit, I have never loved any of the handful of Beverly Jenkins books I have read, so I can't recommend anything of hers, and I'm not familiar with the other authors mentioned, but I will look for them.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:56 AM on April 4, 2019 [10 favorites]
Alisha Rai: Her Forbidden Hearts series is small town, contemporary romance series with a lot of diversity built in. The second book, Wrong to Need You, is my favourite.
Courtney Milan: She writes mostly historicals which have some elements of diversity in them, but if you're looking for truly diverse novels, check out her contemporary Cyclone series. Particularly Hold Me.
Alyssa Cole: An Extraordinary Union made it onto best book lists for a reason.
I have to admit, I have never loved any of the handful of Beverly Jenkins books I have read, so I can't recommend anything of hers, and I'm not familiar with the other authors mentioned, but I will look for them.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:56 AM on April 4, 2019 [10 favorites]
For what it's worth, some of the authors were in the article because they're popular and perceived to be particularly good writers, but some of them are more-typical, non-superstar authors whom Beckett interviewed, and some of them are historically important because they were among the first authors to write mainstream romance novels with non-white protagonists. So that's not necessarily a list of people to read, although my sense is that many readers I know are fans of Courtney Milan, Alyssa Cole, and Alisha Rai. Also Jasmine Guillory, who isn't in the article but wellred references above.
I'm not a big reader of romance novels, I think because I'm not that interested in romance. (I also don't love books in other genres that focus really heavily on the couple-getting-together aspect of romance.) That's fine: different people have different reading preferences. I think it gets to be a problem when you think that your taste determines whether something is worthwhile or valuable. Something can be not my thing and still be a good book.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 8:13 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
I'm not a big reader of romance novels, I think because I'm not that interested in romance. (I also don't love books in other genres that focus really heavily on the couple-getting-together aspect of romance.) That's fine: different people have different reading preferences. I think it gets to be a problem when you think that your taste determines whether something is worthwhile or valuable. Something can be not my thing and still be a good book.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 8:13 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
Cat Sebastian (a really fun queer romance novelist herself, but not a woman of color) has been keeping a running Twitter thread with some recommendations for romance novels she's enjoyed by several of the authors mentioned, as well as some others that may be of interest here.
posted by Stacey at 8:47 AM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Stacey at 8:47 AM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
My favorite Beverly Jenkins books are her YA romances, Belle and Josephine. I've enjoyed many of her other books, but those two are the ones I reread, because Jojo is the best and it gives me teenaged comfort read feels, even though I hadn't read them back then.
ArbitraryAndCapricious, thanks for posting the previouslies--I had somehow missed that there was a whole Alyssa Cole FPP last year! I love her books so, so much. Also she was super nice to me when I messaged her to share my glee in noticing that the unnamed hotel that the heroines visited in Once Ghosted, Twice Shy was the one where my brother worked. (And also her latest novella is just utterly delightful and will be a reread, because I adore Reggie and Gus and the entire concept of inventing an anime series for the characters to watch is just great.)
Also side note on Courtney Milan's latest: Victorian romance with elderly lesbians. I mean how can anyone not want to read that immediately. And then there's this:
And wellred, thanks for that link above because I had not noticed there is another book from Yangsze Choo, and I loved The Ghost Bride and was looking forward to more!
posted by asperity at 9:17 AM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
ArbitraryAndCapricious, thanks for posting the previouslies--I had somehow missed that there was a whole Alyssa Cole FPP last year! I love her books so, so much. Also she was super nice to me when I messaged her to share my glee in noticing that the unnamed hotel that the heroines visited in Once Ghosted, Twice Shy was the one where my brother worked. (And also her latest novella is just utterly delightful and will be a reread, because I adore Reggie and Gus and the entire concept of inventing an anime series for the characters to watch is just great.)
Also side note on Courtney Milan's latest: Victorian romance with elderly lesbians. I mean how can anyone not want to read that immediately. And then there's this:
Author’s Note: Sometimes I write villains who are subtle and nuanced. This is not one of those times. The Terrible Nephew is terrible, and terrible things happen to him because he deserves them. Sometime villains really are bad and wrong, and sometimes, we want them to suffer a lot of consequences.So, yeah, that was good and fun and sometimes you just want to hiss at a villain and cheer on some excellent heroines and eat some cheesy toast.
And wellred, thanks for that link above because I had not noticed there is another book from Yangsze Choo, and I loved The Ghost Bride and was looking forward to more!
posted by asperity at 9:17 AM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
Rebekah Weatherspoon has several great series depending on your mood, including a good bit of fat representation, characters of color, and some queer rep as well.
Suleikha Snyder is also great. The Bollywood Confidential series is extremely snacky, and I loved Seared and Tikka Chance On Me.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:38 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
Suleikha Snyder is also great. The Bollywood Confidential series is extremely snacky, and I loved Seared and Tikka Chance On Me.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:38 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
Thanks to this thread, I'm reading Extraordinary Union right now on my lunch break! Only $2.99 on Kindle!
I'm already a couple chapters in, and it's a quick-moving delight -- breezy, smart, fun to read, and a delight to me, because it's a historical novel set in the American Civil War where I'm not constantly braced for incoming racist nonsense that isn't recognized as racist nonsense.
(Even if the nerd in me wants to point out that the first English translation of Sun Tzu's Art of War didn't happen until the 1900's, but maybe that's the point???? IS THIS A SUBTLE WAY OF TELLING ME THAT THE HEROINE READS FRENCH????)
posted by joyceanmachine at 9:42 AM on April 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
I'm already a couple chapters in, and it's a quick-moving delight -- breezy, smart, fun to read, and a delight to me, because it's a historical novel set in the American Civil War where I'm not constantly braced for incoming racist nonsense that isn't recognized as racist nonsense.
(Even if the nerd in me wants to point out that the first English translation of Sun Tzu's Art of War didn't happen until the 1900's, but maybe that's the point???? IS THIS A SUBTLE WAY OF TELLING ME THAT THE HEROINE READS FRENCH????)
posted by joyceanmachine at 9:42 AM on April 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
I'm not a big reader of romance novels, I think because I'm not that interested in romance. (I also don't love books in other genres that focus really heavily on the couple-getting-together aspect of romance.)
The best thing about a good romance is that there are more problems in the characters' lives than that the couple hasn't gotten together yet. There are very few things as satisfying to read as when our heroines and heroes solve their own problems and make changes that will make their lives better whether or not the romance is successful. And then usually the romance part works out as a result, because of course it's a romance and that's what we want to read. But I love the moments when they come to some realization about themselves and act on it. It's such a hopeful thing, the idea that we might all be able to find self-acceptance as well as the acceptance of loved ones.
I liked Helen Hoang's The Kiss Quotient a lot for that. Sort of a gender-flipped Pretty Woman with an autistic heroine and sex worker hero.
(Of course everyone should read what they want to read and tastes are individual, just using that line as a jumping-off point to gush about romance fiction some more.)
posted by asperity at 9:44 AM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
The best thing about a good romance is that there are more problems in the characters' lives than that the couple hasn't gotten together yet. There are very few things as satisfying to read as when our heroines and heroes solve their own problems and make changes that will make their lives better whether or not the romance is successful. And then usually the romance part works out as a result, because of course it's a romance and that's what we want to read. But I love the moments when they come to some realization about themselves and act on it. It's such a hopeful thing, the idea that we might all be able to find self-acceptance as well as the acceptance of loved ones.
I liked Helen Hoang's The Kiss Quotient a lot for that. Sort of a gender-flipped Pretty Woman with an autistic heroine and sex worker hero.
(Of course everyone should read what they want to read and tastes are individual, just using that line as a jumping-off point to gush about romance fiction some more.)
posted by asperity at 9:44 AM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
“You can relate to shapeshifters, you can relate to vampires, you can relate to werewolves, but you can’t relate to a story written by and about black Americans?”I'm reminded of that gag from Kimmy Schmidt where Titus realizes people treat him better in public when he's in full werewolf costume.
posted by idiopath at 9:57 AM on April 4, 2019 [11 favorites]
My friend is Jasmine Guillory and she writes just like she is: charming, funny, thoughful. She is very focused on consent which just makes me love her all the more.
posted by wellred at 10:09 AM on April 4, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by wellred at 10:09 AM on April 4, 2019 [13 favorites]
I'm jealous, I feel like she would be a fun friend and I really enjoyed her books!
posted by ChuraChura at 10:10 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ChuraChura at 10:10 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
palomar, Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter series is very enjoyable, if distance memory serves. There's a non-white heroine Alyssa Locke whose love story built over several books and culminated in book 6 "Gone Too Far". (To be honest I liked the build-up in previous books more.)
posted by of strange foe at 10:12 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by of strange foe at 10:12 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
ChuraChura, you are so right, she is the most fun. I miss her so much (we are thousands of miles apart).
posted by wellred at 10:13 AM on April 4, 2019
posted by wellred at 10:13 AM on April 4, 2019
I haven't read any of Jasmine Guillory's books yet and from the descriptions they look like exactly my thing!
Also wow I loved Alyssa Locke and that makes me want to read all those books again, it's been a while. Problem with long series side-character buildup: it is really difficult to meet expectations when they finally get their own story. See also: every Mary Balogh series.
I'm expecting great things from Nya in Alyssa Cole's next Reluctant Royals book, though. She is just so awesome and her romance game habit speaks to me. Can't wait for Johan to demonstrate his non-fuckboi nature.
posted by asperity at 10:23 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Also wow I loved Alyssa Locke and that makes me want to read all those books again, it's been a while. Problem with long series side-character buildup: it is really difficult to meet expectations when they finally get their own story. See also: every Mary Balogh series.
I'm expecting great things from Nya in Alyssa Cole's next Reluctant Royals book, though. She is just so awesome and her romance game habit speaks to me. Can't wait for Johan to demonstrate his non-fuckboi nature.
posted by asperity at 10:23 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'm not a big reader of romance novels, I think because I'm not that interested in romance. (I also don't love books in other genres that focus really heavily on the couple-getting-together aspect of romance.)
A point worth remembering is just how huge the genre is. I hesitate to use the word diverse when this is about the genre grappling with that very topic in a racial sense, but as far as subjects go it definitely has diversity. There are so many sub-genres and styles. It's a matter of learning to navigate the genre.
I'm trying to find romances I'll enjoy, because those requirements of a fulfilling romantic plotline and a happily-ever-after are appealing to me. I am perfectly happy going to a movie or into a book knowing things will work out in the end. So far it has been tough going because of my own fussy preferences on what to spend my time with, but I know it's out there.
As an aside, from the article:
Nor is romance is some marginal part of the book industry – in 2016, it represented 23% of the overall US fiction market, and has been estimated to be worth more than $1bn a year in the US alone.
^ This is a thing I keep telling anyone who rolls their eyes at romance. If you like having books to read, you should be glad romance exists and treat it with respect. We all keep talking about the troubles of the publishing industry as a whole in recent years. Think of what happens if suddenly everyone stops reading romances: the trad pub industry collapses, you have no books to find in the stores, and everyone goes home crying.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:34 AM on April 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
A point worth remembering is just how huge the genre is. I hesitate to use the word diverse when this is about the genre grappling with that very topic in a racial sense, but as far as subjects go it definitely has diversity. There are so many sub-genres and styles. It's a matter of learning to navigate the genre.
I'm trying to find romances I'll enjoy, because those requirements of a fulfilling romantic plotline and a happily-ever-after are appealing to me. I am perfectly happy going to a movie or into a book knowing things will work out in the end. So far it has been tough going because of my own fussy preferences on what to spend my time with, but I know it's out there.
As an aside, from the article:
Nor is romance is some marginal part of the book industry – in 2016, it represented 23% of the overall US fiction market, and has been estimated to be worth more than $1bn a year in the US alone.
^ This is a thing I keep telling anyone who rolls their eyes at romance. If you like having books to read, you should be glad romance exists and treat it with respect. We all keep talking about the troubles of the publishing industry as a whole in recent years. Think of what happens if suddenly everyone stops reading romances: the trad pub industry collapses, you have no books to find in the stores, and everyone goes home crying.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:34 AM on April 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
I enjoyed Hamilton's Battalion, with novellas by Courtney Milan, Alyssa Cole, and Rose Lerner. The Wedding Date and The Proposal, both by Jasmine Guillory are really fun. Bingo Love by Tee Franklin is pretty amazing. She Wore Red Trainers is a neat British Muslim romance by Na'ima B. Robert. And I have been really excited that Helen Hoang is writing romances starring Asian-American men, starting with The Kiss Quotient, with The Bride Test coming out in May. I haven't read a ton of Beverly Jenkins, but Forbidden and Tempest are two historical romances that were really neat -- strong romance as well as education about Black people in the Old West. Treasure by Rebekah Weatherspoon is a lovely contemporary lesbian romance. I look forward to reading more of these authors and appreciate the recommendations for books to start with.
posted by Margalo Epps at 10:37 AM on April 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Margalo Epps at 10:37 AM on April 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
The political is personal to women of colour in a way that it is not for me, and the desire and ability to step away from politics is privilege.
So - I think it's actually more nuanced than that, as a woman of color who is heavily engaged in politics but who also desperately loves romance novels as escapist literature and really, viscerally dislikes when authors insert politics into romances, even when they're my politics.
As a het feminist who reads romantic literature, a part of me feels like all of it is a fantasy. These men don't exist. They definitely didn't exist at the historical times a lot of the books I read are set in. I don't believe they exist now. These lives don't exist. They didn't exist then, and they don't exist now. Reading about sensitive-yet-giving-yet-strong men who want to sacrifice to make the lives of their women better is for me exactly like reading about werewolves, in that I think I am exactly as likely to encounter one in my daily life.
I read these books, primarily, when I am unhappy, because it gives me a way to dream, temporarily, of a place where Happy Ever Afters exist. I need that ability to step away from politics for a few hours not because of my privilege, but because of my lack of it. Because my life is genuinely so hard that I need a few hours where I /can/ step away.
The current issue that I see developing within romance is that because the political times are so very hard, it is incredibly hard for authors to write uncritically anymore. It's hard for them to write dukes and earls and lords and such without also confronting the fact that hereditary aristocracy was a fundamentally unfair situation. It's hard for them to write about glittering parties with hand-sewn dresses from seamstresses without writing about the labor conditions that those seamstresses lived under. It's hard, because writing like that without adding in politics feels like an abrogation of your moral responsibilities.
And some people reading romance novels want that, I should say! There are a lot of people who think differently than me, who want to read romance novels where the author is signaling their politics, so that they can still have the good romance without feeling like there are unaddressed problematic elements. That is totally a real and valid feeling!
But I think there's a lot of tension between those two elements - between the 'analyze the political in romance' aspect and the 'ignore it to give people an escape' aspect.
posted by corb at 10:39 AM on April 4, 2019 [20 favorites]
So - I think it's actually more nuanced than that, as a woman of color who is heavily engaged in politics but who also desperately loves romance novels as escapist literature and really, viscerally dislikes when authors insert politics into romances, even when they're my politics.
As a het feminist who reads romantic literature, a part of me feels like all of it is a fantasy. These men don't exist. They definitely didn't exist at the historical times a lot of the books I read are set in. I don't believe they exist now. These lives don't exist. They didn't exist then, and they don't exist now. Reading about sensitive-yet-giving-yet-strong men who want to sacrifice to make the lives of their women better is for me exactly like reading about werewolves, in that I think I am exactly as likely to encounter one in my daily life.
I read these books, primarily, when I am unhappy, because it gives me a way to dream, temporarily, of a place where Happy Ever Afters exist. I need that ability to step away from politics for a few hours not because of my privilege, but because of my lack of it. Because my life is genuinely so hard that I need a few hours where I /can/ step away.
The current issue that I see developing within romance is that because the political times are so very hard, it is incredibly hard for authors to write uncritically anymore. It's hard for them to write dukes and earls and lords and such without also confronting the fact that hereditary aristocracy was a fundamentally unfair situation. It's hard for them to write about glittering parties with hand-sewn dresses from seamstresses without writing about the labor conditions that those seamstresses lived under. It's hard, because writing like that without adding in politics feels like an abrogation of your moral responsibilities.
And some people reading romance novels want that, I should say! There are a lot of people who think differently than me, who want to read romance novels where the author is signaling their politics, so that they can still have the good romance without feeling like there are unaddressed problematic elements. That is totally a real and valid feeling!
But I think there's a lot of tension between those two elements - between the 'analyze the political in romance' aspect and the 'ignore it to give people an escape' aspect.
posted by corb at 10:39 AM on April 4, 2019 [20 favorites]
I write SFF, not romance, but I haven't been able to see how to not write politically, ever. I read just enough romance to see the same thing going on there, too. One may not write about electoral politics specifically, or name characters as Republicans or Democrats, but politics are still woven into every story.
It's there in the casting. It's there in the values. It's there in the conflict. It's in the decision of how much detail to give to sex, or whether sex happens at all, or in the class and economic dynamics of the story. Yes, we are now at a time where a random celebrity can say "People should try to be nice" or maybe "it's important to tell the truth" and it's seen as a direct shot at the current president. But even if we could dial stuff back to, what, the Obama era? The '80s? All those politics are still there.
A writer's politics inform who they are and what choices they will make as a writer. Writing is an inherently political act. Ultimately, if you can ignore the politics in a story or if you straight-up don't see them, it's not because politics aren't there; it's because you're so comfortable with the politics of the story you don't see them as such.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:58 AM on April 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
It's there in the casting. It's there in the values. It's there in the conflict. It's in the decision of how much detail to give to sex, or whether sex happens at all, or in the class and economic dynamics of the story. Yes, we are now at a time where a random celebrity can say "People should try to be nice" or maybe "it's important to tell the truth" and it's seen as a direct shot at the current president. But even if we could dial stuff back to, what, the Obama era? The '80s? All those politics are still there.
A writer's politics inform who they are and what choices they will make as a writer. Writing is an inherently political act. Ultimately, if you can ignore the politics in a story or if you straight-up don't see them, it's not because politics aren't there; it's because you're so comfortable with the politics of the story you don't see them as such.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:58 AM on April 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
As a het feminist who reads romantic literature, a part of me feels like all of it is a fantasy. These men don't exist. They definitely didn't exist at the historical times a lot of the books I read are set in. I don't believe they exist now. These lives don't exist. They didn't exist then, and they don't exist now.
I do know some men who are like that, but they didn't marry me, is all I can say. But I share this feeling, which is why I like to read queer romance. That has its own problematic areas of fantasy, but for good or ill, men always see other men as people. In a romance between them, there doesn't need to be a long section of thefic book in which one character gradually learns to believe that the other is as fully human as he is.
I still read het romances, though, when they're highly recommended and I know the author has the problems on the table from the outset. I especially like the ones that are equally driven by a non-romantic plot in which the characters must work together whatever their feelings must be.
posted by Countess Elena at 11:13 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
I do know some men who are like that, but they didn't marry me, is all I can say. But I share this feeling, which is why I like to read queer romance. That has its own problematic areas of fantasy, but for good or ill, men always see other men as people. In a romance between them, there doesn't need to be a long section of the
I still read het romances, though, when they're highly recommended and I know the author has the problems on the table from the outset. I especially like the ones that are equally driven by a non-romantic plot in which the characters must work together whatever their feelings must be.
posted by Countess Elena at 11:13 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
Yes, I only want completely modern characters in my romance novels, whether they are set now or in the past. This is, as corb notes, in tension with historical settings. But I know other people who cannot with modern characters in historical settings.
I've been casually following the RITA aspect of it on Twitter and with friends who are members but not finalists, and it is a really in depth discussion being had. There has been a lot of really racist remarks, and there are some quite actively racist books, as well as the passive sort in most of them. (It is also true that authors of colour are submitting less often as it costs money to submit and they know they can't win.)
This comes on the heels of the concentration camp conversion romance nominee controversy of quite recently, too.
posted by jeather at 11:13 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
I've been casually following the RITA aspect of it on Twitter and with friends who are members but not finalists, and it is a really in depth discussion being had. There has been a lot of really racist remarks, and there are some quite actively racist books, as well as the passive sort in most of them. (It is also true that authors of colour are submitting less often as it costs money to submit and they know they can't win.)
This comes on the heels of the concentration camp conversion romance nominee controversy of quite recently, too.
posted by jeather at 11:13 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
But I share this feeling, which is why I like to read queer romance. That has its own problematic areas of fantasy, but for good or ill, men always see other men as people. In a romance between them, there doesn't need to be a long section of the fic book in which one character gradually learns to believe that the other is as fully human as he is.
While I won't generally read m/m romance because I am sick of stories without women as protagonists.
posted by jeather at 11:14 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
While I won't generally read m/m romance because I am sick of stories without women as protagonists.
posted by jeather at 11:14 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
[erratum: "men always see other men as people" --> terms and conditions may apply depending on race and/or class]
posted by Countess Elena at 11:16 AM on April 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 11:16 AM on April 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
I've been a romance reader for literally decades. The racism has always been there right in the books, most overtly in historicals with Native American characters. Far too many of those books had the word 'savage' right in the title. Interestingly, repeat offender Cassie Edwards didn't get into trouble with her publisher until Smart Bitches, Trashy Books exposed her extensive history of plagiarism.
posted by LindsayIrene at 11:52 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by LindsayIrene at 11:52 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Just finished reading An Extraordinary Union even though I promised myself I'd only read it at lunch. It's even better than those initial chapters!
In fact, it's a good counterpoint to the genre criticisms raised in this thread -- for one thing, there is romance, but there's also lots and lots and lots of other stuff, like a solid action plot, lots of chases and action and espionage and close calls, lots of interesting side characters, social commentary on the Scottish clearances, clear-eyed commentary on the abolition movement, and a side plot with a childhood friend who was FWB for the heroine, be he wanted to marry her, and she was like LIBERIA!
And as the reviews of Goodreads indicate, it does maybe the best job I've seen in any historical romance (and I've read a LOT of historical romance) at resolving the tension between "yay this is fun escapism!" and "boo let's be realistic about politics and history!" One of the primary ways the author does it is by emphasizing that even in the past, people were not monoliths, and that people were multi-faceted, and that society was multi-faceted. Plus, the male love interest's a-historical-seeming decency is placed in enough gauzy historical and personal justification alongside secondary characters who are just as good and noble and forward thinking that he feels reasonably believable.
tl;dr: romance contains multitudes, and my God, this book is a finger in the eye of those authors who think that it's impossible to do black dialect respectfully in written form. (Hint: it's much harder if you're racist.)
My primary complaint is that after reading the whole book, I still didn't get an answer about whether Elle actually reads Chinese, or whether she read the Sun Tzu in translation to French, or whether this is a universe where Sun Tzu got translated into English roughly 50 years ahead of schedule. INQUIRING MINDS, ETC.
posted by joyceanmachine at 12:17 PM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
In fact, it's a good counterpoint to the genre criticisms raised in this thread -- for one thing, there is romance, but there's also lots and lots and lots of other stuff, like a solid action plot, lots of chases and action and espionage and close calls, lots of interesting side characters, social commentary on the Scottish clearances, clear-eyed commentary on the abolition movement, and a side plot with a childhood friend who was FWB for the heroine, be he wanted to marry her, and she was like LIBERIA!
And as the reviews of Goodreads indicate, it does maybe the best job I've seen in any historical romance (and I've read a LOT of historical romance) at resolving the tension between "yay this is fun escapism!" and "boo let's be realistic about politics and history!" One of the primary ways the author does it is by emphasizing that even in the past, people were not monoliths, and that people were multi-faceted, and that society was multi-faceted. Plus, the male love interest's a-historical-seeming decency is placed in enough gauzy historical and personal justification alongside secondary characters who are just as good and noble and forward thinking that he feels reasonably believable.
tl;dr: romance contains multitudes, and my God, this book is a finger in the eye of those authors who think that it's impossible to do black dialect respectfully in written form. (Hint: it's much harder if you're racist.)
My primary complaint is that after reading the whole book, I still didn't get an answer about whether Elle actually reads Chinese, or whether she read the Sun Tzu in translation to French, or whether this is a universe where Sun Tzu got translated into English roughly 50 years ahead of schedule. INQUIRING MINDS, ETC.
posted by joyceanmachine at 12:17 PM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
I'm not sure there can be such a thing as apolitical romance, because it's largely a genre written by women, for women, about women's concerns, and with happiness for women as the expected end result. There's never been anything uncontroversial about that.
Courtney Milan: I’ve heard explanations for why romance moved from abusive/dubious consent in the 60s and 70s, to what it is now (still exists but isn’t the majority), and the most persuasive answer I’ve seen is this:
That’s when a lot of romance editors started to be women.
posted by asperity at 12:25 PM on April 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
Courtney Milan: I’ve heard explanations for why romance moved from abusive/dubious consent in the 60s and 70s, to what it is now (still exists but isn’t the majority), and the most persuasive answer I’ve seen is this:
That’s when a lot of romance editors started to be women.
posted by asperity at 12:25 PM on April 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
The problem I have with "there are no characters to whom I can relate" isn't just the oddity of elves, vampires, etc., etc. being OK, but being black is a bridge too far. No, it's the sheer narcissism required to say, "If there aren't any characters close enough to being me I can act out being them, then I'm not interested." How can you not be interested in other people? How can you pass up the chance to walk in their shoes?
Cliché though it may be, the mind boggles.
posted by aurelian at 5:24 PM on April 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
Cliché though it may be, the mind boggles.
posted by aurelian at 5:24 PM on April 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
The thing is, it's not clear to me how much of this is readers, and how much of it reflects the assumptions of the publishers. For years, Hollywood assumed that white audiences would reject movies with non-white casts and used that as an excuse not to make those movies, and that really just appears not to be true. White people, as well as other people, managed to go to Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians and survive and even have fun. Those movies made a ton of money, and they were marketed to everyone. Maybe publishers are right that they would have faced a revolt if they'd included books with PoC protagonists in romance subscription services, but maybe they were underestimating their audiences. Maybe readers would have been like that (terrible) white author who was shocked to read a book with a black protagonist and realize that black people fell in love just like everyone else. Maybe all readers would be open to reading diverse romance novels if diverse romance novels were published by the same imprints as romance novels about white women, shelved in the same sections, marketed with the same resources. I have no doubt that a lot of white readers are terrible, because a lot of white people are terrible, but it sounds like a lot of this is being driven by the industry, not necessarily by the readers themselves.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 5:44 PM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 5:44 PM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
I'm really grateful for this post. I used to read so much romance (sooooo much Amanda Quick and Mary Jo Putney, etc) and I gave it up because it got squicky: I got tired of the patriarchal, racist, misogynistic tropes. I didn't recognize then why I got tired of it but I see it now.
And now, this post gives me Alyssa Cole and lots of recs for romance written by WOC who write about privilege, patriarchy, consent, gaslighting and unpaid emotional labor (Hello, Duke by Default!).
I'm so excited to have an in back into a genre I used to love!
posted by blessedlyndie at 9:27 PM on April 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
And now, this post gives me Alyssa Cole and lots of recs for romance written by WOC who write about privilege, patriarchy, consent, gaslighting and unpaid emotional labor (Hello, Duke by Default!).
I'm so excited to have an in back into a genre I used to love!
posted by blessedlyndie at 9:27 PM on April 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
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posted by Fizz at 6:29 AM on April 4, 2019 [38 favorites]