HAPPILY EVER AFTER discussion

Hello everyone, please let's share our reasons for enjoying the genre of Romance :-) Thanks...! :-)

There's not enough romance in my real life, so I have to make do with what I can get from the books...

Now that sounds really sad...

On a more positive note, I enjoy romance because it's a quick, easy read which will nearly always have a happy ending. So I don't have to think to much, which sometimes is exactly what I want from a book.

Why I enjoy Romance? Because with all the practicalities and realities of life around me, I guess I need to read something where everything eventually gets better. TO know that there is a happily ever after out there waiting. Irrespective of the hardships one has to go through, if the end result is worth it, it is worth it.

And also, it makes me believe that one day I will find the man of my dreams.

The negative side to it is that my expectations for the dream man sort of tend to be unrealistic because a man in a novel and a man in real life can simply not be the same, now can they? But I can hope, right?

BTW, I never much cared for Mr Darcy who seems to be the first fictional love of most girls. The first time I ever fell in love with a fictional guy was with Salar (from Peer-e-Kaamil). Matt and Zack are close seconds from Paradise and Perfect respectively.

I have written such a lengthy comment, I think I am going to turn that into a post for my blog. ;)

Looking forward to your blogpost, Hina :-) Please do inform us when you publish it, by mentioning it in the BLOGGERS CORNER, thanks! :-)

I believe that I enjoy reading Romances for pretty much the same reasons that I enjoy reading the books of my other favourite genres :-) 

There are times when I yearn to temporarily escape into the wonderful world of fiction, where love flourishes, justice prevails, tolerance is encouraged, compassion is felt, mercy is recommended, good triumphs over evil, and a happily ever after is achieved :-)

The positive characters in these books become close friends. They touch me with their sincerity and kindness, delight me with their humour and decency, motivate me with their optimism and wisdom, inspire me with their faith and goodness, impress me with their courage and intelligence, reassure me with their weaknesses and eccentricities, and improve me with their principles and values :-)

Some people claim that the genre of Romance sets unrealistic expectations but it's my opinion that we can learn many things from the stories in Romance books, since most of them convey the message that apart from romance and love, other things such as, honesty, trust, respect, commitment, loyalty, fidelity, decency, tolerance, forgiveness, fulfilling responsibilities, being supportive in both the good and the bad times etc, are also important, and it's when we try to incorporate all these qualities in ourselves and our relationship/marriage, that we are eventually blessed with happiness :-) 

It's true that such may not always be the case in real-life and it is also true that in most of the Romance books, the harsher aspects of the reality are softened and a more idealized version of people and relationships is provided, however, here I would like to say that as far as I am concerned, I actually do not wish that the books that I read greatly resemble reality, since to me, reading fiction is like going on a vacation to a wonderful world, which is preferably different from the real world, where I can just relax and unwind :-) 

Reading such books provide me immense happiness and a sense of deep comfort ...and afterwards, I am able to face the responsibilities of real-life with strengthened faith, renewed hope, rested mind and fresh enthusiasm :-) 

Ramla, you have certainly encapsulated my thoughts on Romance genres. We all strive for enduring love and happiness. Romance fiction allows us a glimpse of those possibilities.

Well put, Ramla!

KathyLauren wrote: "Ramla, you have certainly encapsulated my thoughts on Romance genres."

Abigail wrote: "Well put, Ramla!"

Thanks! :-)

I enjoy reading romance since I lost my husband of 30 years to a heart attack in '97, and I like to relive the fun and excitement of our courtship through the stories. I especially enjoy those heroes who are witty, and teasing, but can also be serious, like my late husband. :D

C. wrote: "I enjoy reading romance since I lost my husband of 30 years to a heart attack in '97, and I like to relive the fun and excitement of our courtship through the stories. I especially enjoy those hero..."

Really sorry to hear of your loss. It's good to know that reading is apparently a source of joy and comfort to you.

Ramla Zareen wrote: "C. wrote: "I enjoy reading romance since I lost my husband of 30 years to a heart attack in '97, and I like to relive the fun and excitement of our courtship through the stories. I especially enjoy..."

Thank you Ramla, yes, I have been an avid reader since childhood, and I am so thankful for that. Reading is a joy, and a reader is never bored when reading a good book.

C. wrote: "Ramla Zareen wrote: "C. wrote: "I enjoy reading romance since I lost my husband of 30 years to a heart attack in '97, and I like to relive the fun and excitement of our courtship through the storie..."

That's true :-)

It's funny... I've always loved reading, but never really thought about why I like it, or even why I do it, until now. I suppose what I love about a good story is the escape into another world full of sights, sounds and experiences that I may never know, except through the pages of a book. I'm also very curious by nature, so any time I can learn something new or expand my understanding of the world or a human experience, I'm happy to find it in a good novel.

C. wrote: "I enjoy reading romance since I lost my husband of 30 years to a heart attack in '97, and I like to relive the fun and excitement of our courtship through the stories. I especially enjoy those hero..."

I'm sorry for your loss.

Thank you C.S. :]