Unabashedly Bookish

[#1]

The Historical Novel Society held its biannual North American conference* last weekend, and I'm happy to report two things after attending: Historical fiction is alive and well, and historical romance is respected among this group who not only are history nuts and lovers of good writing, but who also support fictional representations of the past in any feisty, funky or formidable form talented authors can create.

No mean feat, when one understands that even among those who write and read historical romance there can be vigorous disagreement over whose historical backdrop is "accurate," and whose is slapped to the storyline like "wallpaper."  But at HNS, nobody pointed a finger at historical romance as anything "less than," only repped it early, often and right alongside the categories of historical- and historical women's fiction.

During the opening track panel, "The Best New Historical Fiction: What to Read and Why," author and Booklist reviewer Sarah Johnson ( Historical Fiction II  ) recommended Meredith Duran's acclaimed "Duke of Shadows  " because of its exploration of the sociopolitical climate of its Southeast Asian setting, as well as distinctive relationships among characters. 

Johnson's co-presenter, Georgine Olson, Outreach Services Manager of Fairbanks (AK) Northstar Borough Public Libraries, said today's romance authors, like those writing historical women's fiction, are concentrating on the common woman. "You get a sense of how what's going on in the time period affects [women].  Even if your characters aren't ‘known' ones from history, or the [typical] landed mistress, for example, you're understanding what really did happen during that time period through new eyes and other classes."

In the spirit of full disclosure - and since I love to talk about it so much - I'm here to tell you that sex was well represented at the HNS conference. Jade Lee (The Dragon Earl  ), who moderated the panel, "Is Sex Necessary? Spicing Up Your Historical (or Not)" added to the HNS conference the perspectives of businesswoman (remember that, when writing for certain audiences, there are parameters that help publishers sell your novels), mom (even though historically accurate, 13 year olds having sex a la "Romeo and Juliet" is just unappealing and "squishy" to many modern readers) and bestselling erotic romance author (her highly sensual novels broke ground for depicting realistically and respectfully Asian heroines, heroes and sensuality).  Lee also took part in the popular "Late-Night Sex Scene Reading" along with Diana Gabaldon and other authors who presented hot, emotionally layered excerpts from their novels.

During the "sex" panel, as some playfully called it, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries author Carrie Bebris (Matters at Mansfield ) condoned writers knowing when characters simply don't need to do the deed on the pages.  And in the q/a portion, I was pleased to inform yet-to-be-published historical authors that the depiction of "older" couples falling in love and/or engaging in joyful sensuality is alive and more-and-more well represented in romance.

  Yet another way one noted romance a bit ahead of the game was in romance's decades-old acceptance of female authors writing opposite-sex point of view (p.o.v.).  In a dynamic panel featuring successful male and female authors who write characters of the sex opposite their own, each spoke with gracious good humor and a bit of bemusement of some negative reception of their "right" or "ability" to write in opposite-sex p.o.v.  One imagines it won't take too long for the majority of folks to realize what romance long has known: The "outsider's" view often absorbs facets of behavior that add to the richness of any character created, and any story being told.

This year's HNS conference is history, so to speak, but I recommend highly joining the Society to anyone who loves writing, reading and learning what's new and hot in all categories of historical fiction.

What do you think is the current state of the historical romance?  What kinds of panels on historical romance fiction would you suggest HNS consider presenting?  Who are your favorite romance fiction authors/novels?  And what's the difference between historical romance fiction and historical fiction with romantic elements, anyway?

*For more info on HNS conferences, including those held biannually in the UK, click here. 

Michelle Buonfiglio writes daily about romance fiction and pop culture at Romance: B(u)y the Book (RBTB).  Read all of Michelle's UB posts here.

Message Edited by Michelle_Buonfiglio on 06-16-2009 02:27 PM

Message Edited by Michelle_Buonfiglio on 06-22-2009 03:12 PM

[#2]

Oh, you wrote this one just for me. I'll admit it: I used to kind of sneer at historicals. I thought they were like the Regency romances I read in the 1970s -- there were good ones out then, but I had no one to point me in the right direction, and I was left with the impression that they were all either bodice-rippers, a la Kathleen Woodiwiss (who I liked, back then) or books that were more about costumes and manners than romance.

I met author Christine Merrill, who writes historicals, and read her books out of curiousity. I was surprised to find  myself enjoying them. Then I read "Claiming the Courtesan" by Anna Campbell, and thought possibly I was mistaken about this genre. Melanie Murray, the Romantic Reads moderator, was the first person to give me a nudge toward historicals. Then I discovered Anna Campbell's list of favorite romances, most of which were historicals: 

 LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase

MR. IMPOSSIBLE by Loretta Chase

FLOWERS FROM THE STORM by Laura Kinsale

THE SHADOW AND THE STAR by Laura Kinsale

AS YOU DESIRE by Connie Brockway

A ROSE AT MIDNIGHT by Anne Stuart

WELCOME TO TEMPTATION by Jennifer Crusie

IN THE MIDNIGHT RAIN by Ruth Wind

SCARLET KISSES by Patricia Camden

THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL by Teresa Denys

A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS by Eva Ibbotson

GREEN DARKNESS by Anya Seton

THE BEDROOM ASSIGNMENT by Sophie Weston

BEAST by Judith Ivory

PRISONER OF PASSION by Lynne Graham

THE BARON by Juliana Garnett

CAPTIVES OF THE NIGHT by Loretta Chase

KNAVES’ WAGER by Loretta Chase

THE SILVER METAL LOVER by Tanith Lee

CRY NO MORE by Linda Howard 

LADY BE GOOD by Susan Elizabeth Phillips 

GAUDY NIGHT by Dorothy L. Sayers 

[#3]

Sorry, I posted that accidentally before I was ready. Anyway, suffice to say I am now on a historical binge. I firmly believe there are enough authors for every taste, and, thanks to my discovery of these amazing authors, my TBR pile has reached dangerous heights. I admit it: I'm hooked.

[#4]

Thanks, becke!  Those Chases are my faves, too, especially LOS and "Mr. Impossible," Dain and Rupert also making my Greatest Heroes of All Times list.  I recently was turned on to "Knave's Wager" by rbtb community member orannia, and it's a wonderful example of the traditional Regency style (super for those who want sweet sensuality level).  Brockway's AYD also is on my faves short list.  I'm so glad you've found historicals; think of the vast body of work you have to enjoy!  i envy you.

Now, who's this Anna Campbell chick?

[#5]

Hmm. Debating whether to look for Knave's Wager. I tend to like heat, but then again, I loved A COUNTESS BELOW THE STAIRS, and that one was sweetly sensual -- or maybe just sweet. And for once I got the title right, since it's listed in the above post. For some reason, I'm always messing up that one.

[#6]

I can remember when I first found romance, I wondered why anyone would want to write anything other than Historical Romances...they had everything: costume, manners, balls, horses, swords, many, many rooms in beautiful houses, carriages...I do read many other types of romances now, but I still love historicals--all kinds, mystery, paranormal, straight, romantic elements.

The romantic elements thing is such an eye of the beholder thing--does it mean that if you take the romance out it's still a good read--I don't think so, meaning: I (me) I don't think so.

The conference must have been great--I love Carrie Bebris, she captures the Austen characters but makes them her own--and writes a mean mystery to go with them as well. The conference must have been so interesting.

becke I adore Anna Campbell and love it that you posted her list--I think historicals get better and better. Betterer if you will.

[#7]

I'm on a historical binge too! I hadn't read historicals for many, many years, not since my younger days when I used to read lots of Jean Plaidy and Anya Seton and the like, but then, when I started hanging with Michelle and the Bellas, I read all these glowing recommendations for historical romances and I dove back into them. LORD OF SCOUNDRELS is an obvious all time fave now, and I've loved Anna's CLAIMING THE COURTESAN and also PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS & DELICIOUS by Sherry Thomas.

My happiest reading experiences come from a strong romantic love story at the heart of the book, rather than a straighter historical novel, but if the writing is good, I can enjoy any level of sensuality, from hot to sweeter.

[#8]

Historical fiction is a double edged sword for me, while I absolutely love Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Johanna Lindsey's Mallory series  and also Jade Lee's novels I have a hard time reading Historical romance of the 70's thru the 80's because for one, the heroine is always 16 (which I'm not and don't enjoy reading about) and two the first "love " scene sometimes is nothing more than rape (and how any woman can enjoy reading that I'll never know). But I have noticed a distinct change in the way today's Historical romance is written and I am enjoying it because one,  many times it involves women of a "certain" age and two the love scenes are more realistic and the arousal is mutual between the two parties .

The difference to me between Historical Romance and Historical Fiction with romance involved is harder to define, but I would call the Outlander series while definitely a love story not a romance, it's a saga of a realistic look at life of that time where romance is not the main topic but love results none the less, where as in some of Lynn Kurland's historical romances we can't assume anything else but love when there are meddlesome ghosts playing matchmakers and it's obvious that love is the heartbeat of her novels. 

[#9]

Ah, dhaupt, good definition.  I interviewed Gabaldon at HNS and asked her a bit about the romance/hist fict connection, and she does talk about 'courtship' stories vs stories of relationships growing, maturing, etc.  Hopefully I'll have that iview worked up soon, as Ms G is a delight and speaks as she writes, in great detail. In other words, lots of transcription to be done.   One of the issues that arose in the 'sex' panel was the idea of the age of the heroines.  As Jade was saying, romance has kind of raised the age of the heroine, since we don't really dig the actual ages history would have given us; a 45 yr old hero w/a 14 year old heroine is akin to abuse to us.  And the 35 yr old widow introing the 15 year old lordling to the ways of love is the same in my opinion, though there's a great double standard, no?   

I think lots of folks have trouble w/the historicals of the 70s/80s, although many view them in different ways.  I find it important to try to look at what readers' and authors' sensibilities were at that time, what their choices were, etc., then try to read the books w/those things in mind, almost in an anthropological sense.  I was discussing this same issue at the conference w/several authors, because we find the topic fascinating, concerning, important, as most who care about romance do.

I like how you say: "Love is the heartbeat of her novels."  That's such a beautiful way to describe central love story as being  the important component of the romance novel.

[#10]

Ah, historicals. They are my hands-down favorite. But I tend to love any history in any book, not just romance. I'll devour straight-up history books as quickly as I will Amanda Quicks and Philippa Gregorys, so...

My favorites? The afore-mentioned, along with Madeline Hunter (who does a great a job of letting plot and character emerge from the historical context of her stories, in my opinion,) Amanda Quick, Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Hoyt, and Lisa Kleypas. I know I'm forgetting some....

To me the difference between historical romance and a historical with a central love story is that in the second category there isn't the guarantee of a happy ending, and the other elements of the plot, the other characters, and the history itself can be just as much the focus of the book as the romance.

[#11]

Love Amanda Quick. Her heroes are wonderful. When I need a break from writing  I read historicals, esp Amanda. Her stories take me away for my world.

IMO historicals are very popular and getting more so. Maybe because the world around us right now is not so great.

And historicals have such romantic covers! :-)

Dianne

[#12]

Ah, Melanie, a chick after mine own heart!   Madeline Hunter's on my short list of best hist rom authors.  she's got some brilliant stuff, and her medievals are ridiculously fine.  'By Possession" a fave.  And you've given a definition I believe most folks agree with.  I think so many of we nerd girls who dreamed romance into dry history tomes find what we're looking for in historical romance. And as some authors/I were chatting about at HNS, perhaps hist wom fict is an "allowable' read for the crowd who's not accepting of -- or doesn't feel it's 'ok' to read -- romance fiction.  Women put a lot of pressure on each other, and upon what's 'more literary,' 'more valuable' in terms of fiction.  We see it even w/in romance (is category 'less legit' than full length; are e-books 'less legit' than print?).  Resounding No and No in my opinion on both, btw.

Hi, Dianne!  So great to see you here!  I, too, am glad to see the 'rebirth' of the historical, though I think everyone lamenting its death for a few years was a little akin to that Twain line, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated," no? 

So interesting to read how many authors are Quick fans.  And you're so right about the covers.  I especially find the historical fiction covers gorgeous. The clothes tend to be so lovely; I just want to savor them, imagine the time and what wearing them was like, what that woman's life was like.  They're really effective. But interestingly enough, the hist fict type of cover doesn't work so well on hist romance.  That's why we have those gorgeous, sexy hist romance covers.  Gotta love romance.  Funny, I wasn't so into em when I was younger...  Have I become a cliche?  If so, it's kinda nice.