romance formula vs. the modern fairytale
I'm planning to do something I always hate to do. Quit reading a book before I finish it.
I always feel so horrible doing that.
It's not really a bad book. There's nothing about the writing that makes me cringe. And it isn't boring. It kept my interest. But I put it down and now have no desire to go back to it. And I just got 3 new books at the library I'm excited to read.
The thing is the book I quit is a romance novel. I'm just burned out on the whole romance formula. Girl meets guy. Girl is a little ugly or emotionally scared and/or vows never to love again. Guy is an asshole. Girl and guy hate each other. But somehow girl and guy end up having sex. Then girl and guy fall in love. But they know it won't work out because they assume the other person doesn't return the feelings. But in the end, it all works out, and they live happily ever after. And yeah, we're supposed to forget the guy is a total ass and that these two lovebirds have nothing in common.
The book I do like now is what I'm beginning to call the modern fairy-tale. This book is more centered on the female character. Often first person narration. Setting usually Manhattan. Supporting character: Usually a gay male.
Female character goes through some struggle in the book. Her life is tough. Then in the end, prince charming comes. And no he doesn't rescue her and fix everything. He's kind of more like the icing on the cake.
The guy in the modern fairy tales is nice usually. Romantic. Sweet. And there's usually another male character in the story to compare him too. Controlling, superficial, unfaithful, etc.
I think Sex and the City would be a good example of a modern fairytale. The story centered around the women. But in the end, they all got their men. Not perfect guys. But nice guys. And wonderful compared to the other men that appeared through out the 7 (?) seasons.
Okay, and I know they say fairy tales are bullshit and don't come true.
But you know, I've heard more "how-we-met" stories that sound like fairy tales, than stories that sound like romance novels.
I don't think I know many couples who met and hated each other in the beginning.
I always feel so horrible doing that.
It's not really a bad book. There's nothing about the writing that makes me cringe. And it isn't boring. It kept my interest. But I put it down and now have no desire to go back to it. And I just got 3 new books at the library I'm excited to read.
The thing is the book I quit is a romance novel. I'm just burned out on the whole romance formula. Girl meets guy. Girl is a little ugly or emotionally scared and/or vows never to love again. Guy is an asshole. Girl and guy hate each other. But somehow girl and guy end up having sex. Then girl and guy fall in love. But they know it won't work out because they assume the other person doesn't return the feelings. But in the end, it all works out, and they live happily ever after. And yeah, we're supposed to forget the guy is a total ass and that these two lovebirds have nothing in common.
The book I do like now is what I'm beginning to call the modern fairy-tale. This book is more centered on the female character. Often first person narration. Setting usually Manhattan. Supporting character: Usually a gay male.
Female character goes through some struggle in the book. Her life is tough. Then in the end, prince charming comes. And no he doesn't rescue her and fix everything. He's kind of more like the icing on the cake.
The guy in the modern fairy tales is nice usually. Romantic. Sweet. And there's usually another male character in the story to compare him too. Controlling, superficial, unfaithful, etc.
I think Sex and the City would be a good example of a modern fairytale. The story centered around the women. But in the end, they all got their men. Not perfect guys. But nice guys. And wonderful compared to the other men that appeared through out the 7 (?) seasons.
Okay, and I know they say fairy tales are bullshit and don't come true.
But you know, I've heard more "how-we-met" stories that sound like fairy tales, than stories that sound like romance novels.
I don't think I know many couples who met and hated each other in the beginning.