A recent trend that has become a pattern amongst older generations as well as our own, Gen Z, is that romance fictional novels are portrayed or thought of as exactly those, cringy romances with repetitive tropes. While it is true to a certain level, it is unfair to reduce them to simply that title. Many writers label their books as ‘romance’ but are so much more elaborate. These books have action, thrill, and mystery and sometimes also teach us about toxic relationships as seen in the very popular internet-famous book; ‘It Ends With Us’ by Colleen Hoover.
Although in the beginning, it is seen as a simple romance, it blooms into a book talking about an abusive relationship and how difficult it becomes for the victim to cut themselves off. It also talks about trauma and the origin of abusive behavior in the male love interest.
I understand different opinions of people about this book as well. While some people think that it is shown to be foolish behavior for Lily, the protagonist, to continue her abusive relationship, people tend to not understand how the victim truly feels, they lack empathy and they cannot be blamed for it is not a common phenomenon for everyone to go through. This book is a vivid example of how young adult books are so much more than just fictional love.
Another beautiful YA fictional book that is categorised as ‘romance’ and yet focuses on a very important topic has to be ‘Holding Up The Universe’ by Jennifer Niven. It deals with two young high schoolers and how they fall in love. What makes it different is that the female protagonist is overweight due to depression, a very present topic that we come across daily - body positivity - and the male protagonist suffers from a disorder that makes it difficult for him to remember the faces of anyone. This story is molded into such beautiful lives that it makes everyone take a step back and appreciate the end, as it becomes whole. It encourages us to dive into the life of these two characters as they explore their relationship and love.
‘Looking For Alaska’ by John Green talks about young love and tragedy. A very popular novel, turned into a movie, ‘The Perks Of Being A Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky talks about mental health and sexual assault, and ‘We Were Liars’ by E. Lockhart talks about tragedies.
While all of these talk about romance, and it does play a vital role in the forming of the storyline, they have depth beyond Person A falling in love with Person B. Young adult novels are much more than what they have been reduced to be.
They are loud and educational, and new, most of all. Not all of them are bells and whistles talking about love where we imagine slow-motion dancing and spotlight moments. They have embarrassment, trauma, joy, and all these emotions a growing teenager needs as they are learning about it themselves.
Author: Kavya Maheshwari
Комментарии