Prompted by a hazy semi-memory from a long-ago English lit class, I just looked up 'romance' in the dictionary. The memory was that before there was 'the novel' [which has its own interesting etymology] there was 'the romance', which lacking a nuance or two, was pretty much the same thing. So, from Mr. Webster: "romance 1)(a)- A medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural; b) a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place...; c) a love story..."
I got started down this particular rabbit-trail of thought when I was thinking how interesting-- and a bit unusual-- it is, for you to have set out to write something you've called a romance novel. I mean, over and above the highly unusual subject matter. I am enjoying your success at keeping a balance of information, humor, narrative action, and the inherent poetry of the human heart-- even a fictional one, if the fiction is going to interest me.
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a fine romance
30 Jul 2011
Prompted by a hazy semi-memory from a long-ago English lit class, I just looked up 'romance' in the dictionary. The memory was that before there was 'the novel' [which has its own interesting etymology] there was 'the romance', which lacking a nuance or two, was pretty much the same thing. So, from Mr. Webster: "romance 1)(a)- A medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural; b) a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place...; c) a love story..."
I got started down this particular rabbit-trail of thought when I was thinking how interesting-- and a bit unusual-- it is, for you to have set out to write something you've called a romance novel. I mean, over and above the highly unusual subject matter. I am enjoying your success at keeping a balance of information, humor, narrative action, and the inherent poetry of the human heart-- even a fictional one, if the fiction is going to interest me.
Keep 'em coming!
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