by Marco Fiori

Created on: April 10, 2009

Supposedly the age of romance is dead. Someone ought to tell the multitude of authors currently making a living off the genre. The success of consumer romance boils down to the basics of humanity. It takes a pretty cold-hearted person to openly admit they have no desire for romance within their life. Therefore, as literature began to question its need for high culture representation, the commoditisation of books as a consumer product combined to produce the Mills and Boon revolution.

Traditionally concerned with emotionality, melodrama and unattainable human interaction, romance novels have rarely strayed from their literary path. As our civilised society supposedly crumbles, and the destruction of the home environment continues, bored housewives are dipping their toes in the escapist fiction more than ever. So why exactly do they have such a powerful appeal?

The sentimentality found in the novels is always going to strike the readers' heartstrings. Whether you are a lonely woman, a happily married man or a thirteen year old girl, there is something classically alluring to reading a romance novel. The narrative is always easy to follow, and despite stereotypically ending the same way every time, the books still manage to conjure a basic form of interest. The novels are engaging and relatable, (even if we're concerning ourselves with historical romance). Romance fiction often has the perfect blend of storytelling and predictability to make it the powerhouse genre it is.

Escapism aside, your mind does not receive the same workout you would expect from, say, Kant or Freudian arguments. Chaucer, Dickens and Joyce all have their place, but the readability of romance novels comes from the fact they are page turners. There isn't any analysis needed and you won't lose any sleep over the intended meaning. Popular culture? Definitely, but that's the whole appeal. Grannies, uncles and priests can all divulge in a romance book. Accessibility is key and the genre rarely disappoints.

Thus we end up at the crux of the argument. The main draw of romance novels? Idyllic love. Mr D'arcy is always going to win against tales of torment and suffering. The warm fuzzy feeling may be a bit corny, but Heathcliff is timeless. It may be beyond your reach in reality, but one can always dream. The location for such escapades? Your imagination, helped along by the romance novel. The running into each other's arms may be a cinema trick, but it found its roots in romantic fiction. Whether you're a fan or not, romance is here to stay.

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