Romance vs chick-lit?

April 26, 2007

What is the difference between Romance and Chick Lit? Is there a difference? Should we make a distinction?

I cam across this very um… thought-provoking interview with the mega-best-selling Sophie Kinsella in Time magazine.

One of the differences, muses Sophie, is that “everybody’s a lot more wry or ironic or will crack a joke rather than have their bosom heave.”

What do romance readers and writers think?

(BTW, it took me ages to find a picture of a heaving bosom. The above picture was the closest I could get. Not heaving, not a bosom – but in the general area)

Comments

1. On April 26th, 2007 at 11:01 am
   Charlotte Says:
   

   That’s just gratuitous :p

2. On April 26th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
   Julie Says:
   

   Hi Philippa!

   I love your blog! I’ve Sophie Kinsella’s book and I’m disappointed in her comment about the differences between romance and chick lit. It seems to me as if she’s reinforcing all the old stereotypes about romances and being dismissive of a genre which isn’t that different from the books which she is writing and which have made her a millionaire.

   Sophie Kinsella should do well to remember that those people who read her books, read romances as well – and to read a couple of romances before putting her foot in her mouth!

3. On April 27th, 2007 at 4:28 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Hi Julie,
   Glad you enjoy reading the blog. I think Sophie K might have been put on the spot by the interviewer! I agree that in some romance genres, emotions and language can be very intense and that isn’t to everyone’s taste. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no place for irony and humour in other romantic fiction – take all of the LBD authors for instance!On the other side, writers such as Marian Keyes, Jill Mansell and Catherine Alliott deal with serious issues and intense emotions in their chick-lit novels. I hope Decent Exposure offers a mix of humour and lots of emotion. I couldn’t bear it if the hero and heroine didn’t tease each other mercilessly!

4. On April 29th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
   Barbara Hannay Says:
   

   It’s a pity when people make sweeping comments about a genre, especially when they fall back on cliches like ‘heaving bosoms’. I’ve read several SK books and thoroughly enjoyed them and, admittedly, there’s more focus on humour than intense emotion, but there are also many similarities to the Romance line I write for — especially the focus on the heroine and the light touch when it comes to sensuality.
   Phillipa, DE definitely fitted the bill — offering humour alongside angst. Lovely.

5. On April 30th, 2007 at 5:54 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Thanks Barb. I agree there *are* similarities with your Romance line. I do wonder if Sophie K was suddenly backed into a corner. I don’t expect she menat to offend but it’s a bit unfortnate that she mentioned the heaving bosoms!