I probably have a long musing post one day on the Uberwealthy Domineering Asshole archetype that seems so popular.
I think I know why. Although it's hard to put in words. I think it's pure fantasy.
There was this interview with EL James who wrote the 50 Shades books, and she was sort of asked that question. What she said is there's this fantasy of just having everything taken care of, all decisions, etc. But in reality - you do want someone to help you wash the dishes.
So..a lot of people seek out in romance novels the exact opposite of what they'd want in reality. I know my mother did - she adored the boddice rippers. And the edgy heroes - although with the caveat that the woman was just as tough and could rip him a new one.
The problem I have with a lot of the new romance novels is the heroine isn't very strong, the hero is a domineering asshole who is uberwealthy, and she's weak and kittenish. Give me a break. ewww. For it to work for me - they sort of have to be on equal footing. (ie. Spuffy)
But, I've discovered a lot of female readers identify with the kittenish heroine (Bella from Twilight until she becomes a vampire, I'm guessing) and don't like the strong one (who they consider shrewish - which is odd). They are oddly more forgiving of an asshat hero than an asshat heroine. (internalized sexism?)
For myself? I'm intrigued by impossible relationships. It's what I liked about Spuffy, actually, it was impossible. Nasty guys are often more interesting to read about as heroes in a romance novel, less predictable, ...but keep in mind, I'm not necessarily reading it for the "romance" - so much as for the conflict resolution and to see how they overcome their issues. I'm not fantasizing about dating the guy myself or that relationship. So I'm not reading the novel for the same reasons a lot of people are. I trying to figure out something else - something else is pulling me in. Of course if the guy doesn't change and remains an uberwealthy asshat throughout or the forgiveness isn't earned or doesn't come across as believable...and the heroine stays with him...I get annoyed.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2014-02-28 03:34 am (UTC)I think I know why. Although it's hard to put in words. I think it's pure fantasy.
There was this interview with EL James who wrote the 50 Shades books, and she was sort of asked that question. What she said is there's this fantasy of just having everything taken care of, all decisions, etc. But in reality - you do want someone to help you wash the dishes.
So..a lot of people seek out in romance novels the exact opposite of what they'd want in reality. I know my mother did - she adored the boddice rippers. And the edgy heroes - although with the caveat that the woman was just as tough and could rip him a new one.
The problem I have with a lot of the new romance novels is the heroine isn't very strong, the hero is a domineering asshole who is uberwealthy, and she's weak and kittenish. Give me a break. ewww. For it to work for me - they sort of have to be on equal footing. (ie. Spuffy)
But, I've discovered a lot of female readers identify with the kittenish heroine (Bella from Twilight until she becomes a vampire, I'm guessing) and don't like the strong one (who they consider shrewish - which is odd). They are oddly more forgiving of an asshat hero than an asshat heroine. (internalized sexism?)
For myself? I'm intrigued by impossible relationships. It's what I liked about Spuffy, actually, it was impossible. Nasty guys are often more interesting to read about as heroes in a romance novel, less predictable, ...but keep in mind, I'm not necessarily reading it for the "romance" - so much as for the conflict resolution and to see how they overcome their issues. I'm not fantasizing about dating the guy myself or that relationship. So I'm not reading the novel for the same reasons a lot of people are. I trying to figure out something else - something else is pulling me in. Of course if the guy doesn't change and remains an uberwealthy asshat throughout or the forgiveness isn't earned or doesn't come across as believable...and the heroine stays with him...I get annoyed.