I'm just gonna go on a spurt so here I go:
>Are romance novels any good?
>Can romance novels have literary merit?
>Can you recommend some good romance novels?
>Are romance novels only appealing to woman?
>Are all romance novels too corny?
>What is considered a good romance novel?
>Is there romance novels not catered only toward women?
I don't read any romance because to me it's all corny, but I've been trying to expand my reading taste, and I thought I'd give some romance a try.
I'm not sure these count as pure romances but the books that come to mind as a starting point are Ethan Frome and Return of the Native
Well, just like with horror and science fiction, romance novels from the 1800s are usually well regarded. But whereas I'm a fan of popular "pleb" horror and science fiction/fantasy I'm unfamiliar with popular "pleb" romance novels so I can't really give recommendations in that area.
I would personally recommend Fortress Besieged by Qian Zhongshu.
>Are romance novels only appealing to woman?
Well, in Pride and Prejudice the appeal for females is that Mr. Darcy is hot, and the appeal for males is that Elizabeth Bennet is the perfect waifu and you want to marry her.
>Is there romance novels not catered only toward women?
Fortress Besieged, although the book isn't "just" romance. Also it's extremely depressing, which most classic romance novels outside of Austen's books are.
>spurt
maybe Lady Chatterley's Lover
I can't speak to how good it is but it is culturally significant
catch a mate my gena showalter :^)
Norwegian Wood by H. Murakami sort of
>I think I want to let you fuck me in the ass
What did she mean by this?
Victoria by Knut Hamsun
braaap