The Day After
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day (as if you didn’t know), the day dedicated to love. And though it’s supposed to be about all love, romantic love is arguably the most exciting, so it’s what we focus on. I’ve never been a fan of Valentine’s Day, but it doesn’t stop me from appreciating the symbols and gestures of the holiday. With one exception…
Fairy tales are not romantic. I’m always baffled when people claim they want “the fairy tale.” With very few exceptions, fairy tales contain none of the hallmarks of romance. No meet-cutes, no long courtships, no enemies to friends (exception being Beauty and the Beast) and all the kissing happens when one of the party is unconscious. Not romantic!
And yet, we continue to look for our romantic ideals in fairy tales that were written in a time when romance was more about worship from afar, and becoming a couple was more about joining of property than joining of soulmates.
But I do believe in literary romance—Jane Austen comes to mind—just not in fairy tales. I just prefer my happily ever after’s to actually include love. Maybe we should change the saying to wanting the “Austen novel” or “fill-in-the-blank novel” (like Susanna Kearsley or Olivia Atwater).
Or (shameless plug) The Cemetery Circle!
What’s your favorite happily ever after?
