Within the world of literature, there are many literary genres. We could say that there is one for each person; and within them, the romance novel is grabbing an ever greater share of the market.
Although many see it as a "second" or "third" genre, in reality, if you take into account statistics and reports, it is discovered that it is one of the most sold. But, What is a romance novel? What characterizes it? And what is it about? Find out below.
What is a romance novel?
Defining a romance novel today is not easy. Before it was said that a romantic novel was the love story of characters that should ALWAYS have a happy ending. However, today we see in series, movies and yes, also in romantic books, that this premise that you have to have a happy ending is not always fulfilled. But that does not mean that it ceases to be a romantic novel.
The RAE (Royal Academy of Language) defines the romantic novel as a "rose novel", it decir, "A variety of romantic story, cultivated in modern times, with very conventional characters and environments, in which the vicissitudes of two lovers whose love triumphs in the face of adversity are narrated". However, as you will see below, that definition is already very out of date.
Characteristics of the romance novel
Like any other literary genre, the romance novel also has a number of characteristics that must be known. Among them, we can highlight you:
- A happy ending. Although in this case there are also romantic novels with a tragic ending that are still romantic.
- Descriptions of feelings. Because the characters do not focus only on telling what happens, they delve into their feelings. In this way, the development of the characters is much deeper than in other novels, where they only stay on the surface. And with this, you help the reader connect more with what they read.
- The tragedy. And it is that in every romantic novel there has to be a story, either of unrequited love, or of a relationship that is born little by little, or through a plot that links both characters and creates a love relationship. .
- Love is the protagonist. It does not matter if it is a crime novel, paranormal, juvenile ... The important thing about this story is not what the characters go through, but that love breaks any type of barrier. Whether fighting for love, building it, or otherwise, this feeling is the nexus and the center of all romantic history.
Subgenres of the romance novel
Some time ago, we talked about several years ago, the romance novel was just the love story of two characters. But this genre has evolved and is capable of telling a love story encompassed within a subgenre that makes it even more entertaining.
In fact, many romance novels can be difficult to classify for this very reason: although they meet the requirements to be considered as such, they also meet those of other genres.
Today, the most successful subgenres within the romance novel are the following:
Police
Since detective literature became fashionable in 2019, romantic novels have also changed and instead of presenting the story of two characters, beyond a contemporary context, the plot had hints of a crime novel where it differed from the "authentic" in the fact of giving greater prominence to the couple.
chick lit
Chick lit can be defined as a comedy, a "fun adventure", and so on. Actually, we are talking about showing characters who "don't mince words" and who offer situations and stories that can be very similar to reality, but always with a touch of humor.
Historical romance novel
Are those stories that are set in a distant time, and always trying to keep in mind what happened on those dates, the lifestyle, etc. The truth is that there are many historical novels, which in turn makes them divided into more subgenres: medieval, pirate, regency, highlanders, etc.
Romance novel new adult
It is a genre of recent appearance, but that already existed for a long time. Formerly it was called "young adult", or young adult, and presented a romantic story where the protagonists were young boys.
In fact, some consider that it is the prelude to enter the adult romance novel.
Erotic
Erotic novels are part of the romantic genre, although many consider it to be an even larger subgenre, since within erotic plots there may be stories of other genres.
It is characterized by offer sex scenes with a greater description in the act itself. Of course, there are many levels, from the most subtle to those that border on the pornographic.
Paranormal
They are those where the protagonists, characters or story does not become "real" at all, that is, nuances of magic, time travel, extraterrestrials, mythological characters, etc. are included.
The most romantic books
To finish, we want to talk to you about what are some of the most romantic books that exist today. In fact, there is no romantic book that, as such, is chosen as the most romantic novel in history. And it is that, having so many, subjectivity comes into play. But we can quote you some readings that should be in your library (and be read).
Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoi
It is one of the best known and most acclaimed Russian novels. Talk about a woman of high position married and with a son. But with a desperate passion that is narrated through words full of feelings. And, for a romance novel, the events that occur will make you rethink that this genre is always "rosy."
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
A love story of several sisters who want to find a husband (at that time it was expected). However, the dialogues, misunderstandings and the passionate charge that is seen in the chapters will make you enjoy it.
Postscript: I love you, by Cecelia Ahern
A novel that will make you cry almost from the first page. Because love is narrated in a different way. In it, an event that means that the couple can no longer be together, leads to a love story that teaches that love does not have to die when the other person is no longer there.
Of course, there are many more romantic novels that we could highlight, and even some that, without being of that genre, have included love in their history (Millennium saga, The pillars of the Earth ...).