By Alyssa J. Montgomery
In
September 2018 on this blog, I wrote an article about how romance novels can
empower women. I mentioned how modern romances cover a whole host of
hard-hitting issues women face such as rape, abuse and loss of children. I also
discussed how romances are culturally relevant and promote discussions about
love and relationships and it really hit me how much romance writers as a
collective group have achieved and how much a story can not only impact on an
individual life but on society in general.
Literature
isn’t just a form of entertainment. It’s a powerful platform. It can provoke us
into deeper thinking about controversial subjects, challenge the perceptions or
prejudices we may hold and teach us so much—all while presenting us with a
riveting story.
(Image courtesy of Pixabay.com)
Some
authors have specifically set out to ignite burning questions and their stories
have become classics that are still studied.
Earlier this year, my youngest daughter had to write an essay on George
Orwell’s 1984 – a book that I had
studied over thirty years ago when I was at school. What a powerful story that
is.
George
Orwell used his literature to push his political viewpoint and I doubt there are
too many romance authors who write with that intention. Having said that, there
aren’t too many romance novels (Romantic Tragedies such as Shakespeare’s Romeo
and Juliet aside) that are perennially studied. But, when I thought about it I
realised that there are a lot of contemporary romance novels that make mention of
pressing issues that are relevant in our society.
I
don’t think it’s necessarily been a conscious decision by the author to bring
these issues to light. I feel it has most likely been an organic part of the
story, relevant because of the characters’ beliefs, values, difficulties and
general life experiences.
I
have never set out to write romances as a platform to highlight some of the
problematic issues of the world. After all, by their very nature, romance novels centre on
the development of the romance between characters and how each character
becomes stronger because of the romance and none of us who read romance want to
be diverted from that by a whole host of heavy hitting side issues. But if authors
are penning believable contemporary romances, the characters must surely have
been touched by some real issues that are present in modern society. Who hasn’t
been?
(Image Courtesy of Pixabay)
When
I reflected back on some of the issues relevant to my characters I was
surprised by the diverse range of issues that have been mentioned in my
stories. I won’t list them all but Logan from Roses for Sophie was
campaigning against the use of Blood Diamonds. Chloe from The Irresistible Royal was
a lawyer fighting a legal case against discrimination in the workplace. The
Formidable King briefly mentioned a dictator in Africa who used child
soldiers. The Irredeemable Prince highlighted the need for ongoing
measures to be taken against drug dealers. And, in my latest release, Seduced
by the Billionaire (12th April release date), both the hero and heroine involved me in a whole
host of issues relevant to society—all completely character driven!!
Despite
all those issues, I wouldn’t think that they stand out in the readers’ minds
and I hope they don’t because they weren’t essential to the romance but they
were very relevant to who the characters are.
Are
you aware of a romance novel you’ve read where you’ve learned something
interesting, or one that’s highlighted a societal problem?
Love to Love: The feeling of emotional connection to characters in
romance novels and the satisfying HEA in a story that has delivered
entertainment, escapism and on some level has also been educational or
thought-provoking.
Love to Laugh: At romantic comedies.
Love to Learn: I love learning as I read romances – whether it’s
interesting little facts about life in historical times or in contemporary romances
something about a city, culture, occupation or an issue that’s occurring in
society.
