11-25-2017, 12:37 PM
Great topic, Penfeather! I AGREE! I love the period gothic romances for the same reasons as you do. Perhaps the author could set up a situation in a remote castle/mansion or on a private island in the present day in which the heroine's cell phone could be taken away from her and/or no computers or network is available on the premises. Then the story might be palatable in the present day. Someone could always unexpectedly arrive who is carrying a working cell phone (or a fast boat), though, so that's a risk and an "easy out."
I also eschew the presence of cars and other non-horse-drawn means of transport, as they present opportunities for the story to move at too quick a pace. Maybe this preference is influenced by my personal love of horses (hate those heroines who are afraid of them!), but I think it gets back to the pace issue. Life today rolls along at such a hectic pace with so many external distractions and complications caused, at its root, by over population of our planet. I, like you, want to escape from that world to a slower one when I read for pleasure.
The speedy appearance of EMTS, ambulances, skilled doctors, and access to a high level of health care and knowledge also affects the plot and pace of a story and its "clean up" after a life-threatening event. The internet provides so many answers to health and personal questions that the heroine could easily find them on her cell phone, plus do a rather thorough background check on the potential hero or villain in just a few minutes. This also affects the pace of the plot.
Those who are enamored of their cell phones and internet/service access may have a different take on this issue. They may find their absence in period novels to be totally unrelatable...?
Thanks for posting! I hope others on this list will respond with their thoughts.
I also eschew the presence of cars and other non-horse-drawn means of transport, as they present opportunities for the story to move at too quick a pace. Maybe this preference is influenced by my personal love of horses (hate those heroines who are afraid of them!), but I think it gets back to the pace issue. Life today rolls along at such a hectic pace with so many external distractions and complications caused, at its root, by over population of our planet. I, like you, want to escape from that world to a slower one when I read for pleasure.
The speedy appearance of EMTS, ambulances, skilled doctors, and access to a high level of health care and knowledge also affects the plot and pace of a story and its "clean up" after a life-threatening event. The internet provides so many answers to health and personal questions that the heroine could easily find them on her cell phone, plus do a rather thorough background check on the potential hero or villain in just a few minutes. This also affects the pace of the plot.
Those who are enamored of their cell phones and internet/service access may have a different take on this issue. They may find their absence in period novels to be totally unrelatable...?
Thanks for posting! I hope others on this list will respond with their thoughts.