The Forgotten Queen of Romance Novels feat. Casey McQuiston | A Second Look Podcast

The Enduring Appeal of Romance Novels

• Romance novels are often overlooked and stereotyped, with some people viewing them as inferior to other genres, as seen in a 1989 commentary by Andy Rooney, who expressed skepticism about the quality of writing in romance novels (28s).
• Despite the negative perception, romance novels are the second-largest category in the US book market and the fastest-growing genre, with many readers seeking positive and uplifting content (1m0s).
• The first romance bookstore in the US, The Ripped Bodice, was opened in California in 2016 and has since been followed by nearly 30 other romance bookstores across the country (1m36s).
• Barbara Cartland, a British romance author, was once the most famous romantic author in the world, inspiring an entire generation of readers and selling over 750 million copies of her books (3m10s).

Barbara Cartland: The Queen of Romance

• Despite her significant impact on the genre, Cartland's work is no longer widely available in romance bookstores, with none of the 28 stores contacted carrying her books (2m11s).
• Cartland was profiled by 60 Minutes in the 1970s, and her success was seen as a counterpoint to the prevailing view that romance was dead (2m33s).
• Cartland's writing style and legacy have been described as iconic, but also problematic, with some readers and writers viewing her as a complicated figure (3m27s).
• Best-selling author Casey McQuiston discussed the legacy of Barbara Cartland and the romance genre in an interview, highlighting the complexities and challenges of the genre (4m11s).
• Barbara Cartland is a Romance novelist who has been described as a cross between the Queen Mother and Jaakko, having written 200 romantic paperbacks set in the 19th century, with 70 million copies in print worldwide and earning a million dollars in royalties in the US alone over two years (5m9s).
• Cartland's writing process involved dictating her stories to one of her three secretaries, often from her bed, and her work is characterized by high camp and glamorous elements (5m37s).
• Casey McQuiston does not identify with Cartland's writing style, preferring to use a keyboard and often having their dog nearby instead of a secretary (6m13s).
• Cartland's public image is one of glamour and luxury, often dressing up for interviews and photo shoots, and is described as being like a queen, with a strong sense of camp and commitment to her persona (6m52s).
• A 60 Minutes interview with Cartland in 1977 showcases her iconic image, with her dictating her latest chapter to a secretary, answering phone calls on multiple rotary phones, and displaying her lavish lifestyle (7m43s).
• The interview was produced by Jean Langley, who shared a story about Mike Wallace arriving at the interview on a very hot summer day, which added to the challenges of filming (8m37s).

Cartland's Unique Writing Style and Image

• Cartland's legacy as a Romance novelist is complex, with some viewing her as a pioneering figure in the genre, while others criticize her work for being overly formulaic and lacking in diversity (4m48s).
• Barbara Cartland was interviewed by Mike Wallace in 1976, and upon his arrival, she insisted that he take a shower before the interview, eventually winning the argument and ensuring he did so (8m58s).
• Cartland had been writing for over 50 years by the time of the interview, starting her career after her father's death in 1918 left her family with no money (10m3s).
• Her mother suggested she become a receptionist or secretary, but Cartland decided to write a novel instead, which was met with laughter and skepticism from others (10m33s).
• Her debut novel was a huge success, despite being considered a racy love story at the time, and even led to her great aunts disapproving of her and refusing to speak to her (10m45s).
• Cartland was born in 1901, six months after Queen Victoria's death, and grew up in a time when women's rights were limited, which may have contributed to her family's disapproval of her writing (11m1s).
• Despite the objections, Cartland continued to write passionate courtship narratives, producing numerous books with similar themes and cover art featuring a tall, brooding man and a young woman in a pastel gown (11m51s).
• Author Casey McQuiston analyzed Cartland's book covers, noting the recurring theme of a strong, dark-haired man in uniform and a young woman with a snatched waist and a big, beautiful gown, often with the man focused on the woman and the woman looking away (11m56s).
• This trope of a pure, chased heroine and a dark, brooding man was familiar to readers, reminiscent of Jane Austen, but also characteristic of the emerging bodice ripper subgenre of romance novels in the 1970s (12m40s).

Cartland's Views on Sex and Romance

• Barbara Cartland, known as the queen of romance, opposed the inclusion of sex scenes in novels, finding them degrading to women and preferring to focus on the purity of romance (13m2s).
• Cartland believed that women preferred a more subtle approach to romance, citing a survey she conducted among her secretaries and friends, which found that women's erotic fantasies often involved a man fully clothed (13m41s).
• In an interview with Mike Wallace, Cartland candidly discussed her views on sex and romance, revealing that she had six proposals of marriage before learning how people had babies and was shocked by the discovery (14m31s).
• Cartland even joked about the Amazon warriors of Greek mythology, suggesting that men who had been crippled in war might make better lovers due to improved blood circulation (14m57s).

Cartland's Family and Legacy

• Tara Parker, Cartland's youngest granddaughter, described her as an amazing character who was funny and unafraid to speak her mind, with a strong sense of self and a willingness to argue with those who disagreed with her (15m41s).
• Parker recalled watching a 60 Minutes piece on her grandmother and being struck by Cartland's forthrightness and articulateness in expressing her opinions (15m47s).
• Cartland's novels inspired devotion in millions of fans, including Princess Diana, who was an avid reader of her books when she was young (16m32s).
• Barbara Cartland's granddaughter, Tara Parker, shares a fond memory of her grandmother, recalling how she always had time for her family despite being very busy, and how she was the right person to go to for advice on romance (17m32s).
• Tara Parker mentions that Barbara Cartland was very disciplined and dictated a new book every two weeks, never missing a deadline, and that every character and situation in her books was different (18m16s).
• Barbara Cartland drew inspiration from various sources, including the diaries of Lady Anne Blunt, who traveled across Syria in 1872, and incorporated elements of history and adventure into her romance novels (18m37s).
• Barbara Cartland's fans were very loyal, and she valued their feedback, even changing the ending of one book after a fan from Australia threatened to commit suicide if the characters didn't get married (19m32s).

Princess Diana's Connection to Cartland

• Barbara Cartland had a famous step-granddaughter, Princess Diana, who was an avid reader of her books and received copies of her latest novels directly from her (19m57s).
• Princess Diana likely enjoyed Barbara Cartland's romance novels for the same reason many young girls do - the hope of finding love and the inspiration they provide (20m20s).
• Tara Parker argues that Barbara Cartland's heroines are often mischaracterized as damsels in distress, when in fact, the majority of them are strong, heroic women who drive the story forward (20m46s).

Cartland's Social Activism and Advocacy

• Barbara Cartland was a prolific romance novelist who also fought for various social causes, including establishing a gypsy camp on her own land called Barberville to provide education and medical care to Romany people (21m27s).
• She successfully campaigned to change a law in England that required gypsies to move every 24 hours, which prevented their children from attending school (21m50s).
• Cartland also advocated for better pay and conditions for midwives, recognizing their importance to women's health (22m11s).
• She organized the first female-only car race at Brooklands, a UK racetrack, to prove that women were just as good drivers as men (22m34s).

Cartland's Health, Wellness, and Self-Promotion

• Cartland was passionate about health and wellness, endorsing natural foods and taking 90 vitamins a day, and she believed that a healthy lifestyle contributed to romance (22m59s).
• She was a self-promoter who traveled the world to appear on TV and radio shows, and she had her own range of products, including fabrics, perfume, and face cream (23m58s).
• Cartland's approach to celebrity differed from modern-day celebrities in that she did not have the luxury of technology and computers, but she would likely have been active on social media platforms like Twitter if they had existed during her time (24m26s).

Cartland's Literary Philosophy and Criticism

• Despite being looked down upon by the literary world, Cartland was unapologetic about her work and preferred to write romance novels that brought joy to her readers rather than focusing on heavy, gloomy themes (24m45s).
• Romance novels were looked down upon by the literary elite when Barbara Cartland was writing, but this did not affect her as she was aware of it and was writing for the normal working woman or the woman at home, not to be the next Bronte sisters or Shakespeare (25m5s).
• Cartland's writing style was deliberate, using short sentences and simple language so that people of any intellect level could enjoy the story (25m36s).
• The Daily Mirror once called Cartland a "pink vitamin-fed vampire living on sweetness, light, and virginity," and many within the feminist movement in the 1970s took aim at her work for allegedly upholding the patriarchy (25m59s).
• Germaine Greer, a leading activist, called Cartland's body of work "titillating mush" (26m17s).
• Cartland expressed that she deplored women's lib, stating that she thinks men are wonderful and superior to her, and that she would rather be with men because she likes them better (26m27s).
• Cartland also stated that she finds women rather frivolous and not yet the equivalent of men, but believes they may come to it in the future (26m59s).

Cartland's Contradictory Views and Modern Relevance

• Despite presenting as a fiercely independent and outspoken woman, Cartland's views on women seem contradictory, but it is believed that she enjoyed the company of men more because the conversation was about politics, work, or other topics (27m21s).
• Cartland would likely be thrilled with the progress women have made and would probably support women's liberation (28m0s).
• It is believed that Cartland would have something to say about the current boom in sales of romance novels, possibly criticizing some of them (28m36s).

The Evolution of Romance Novels

• Romance novels are timeless and popular, with the concept of two people falling in love and being happy remaining a constant theme despite changing trends (28m46s).
• The romance genre has evolved to become more inclusive, with stories about people of different backgrounds, body types, and identities, including a plus-size romance section (30m3s).
• Best-selling romance novelist Casey McQuiston notes that when they started their career in 2016, the genre was not very inclusive, and queer romance novels were extremely rare (30m26s).
• McQuiston's debut novel, "Red, White, and Royal Blue," which depicts a fictional love affair between the son of an American president and a British prince, was initially met with skepticism by editors and agents who didn't see a market for it (30m47s).
• Despite the initial doubts, the book was a surprise success, and McQuiston attributes its popularity to the organic online community, particularly book talk on TikTok (31m40s).
• The romance genre has experienced a boom in readership, with romance novels making up a significant portion of the New York Times bestsellers list, and five of the top 10 best-selling adult fiction authors being romance authors in 2023 (32m26s).
• Romance novels are the second-largest category in the US book market and the fastest-growing genre in 2023, with many readers drawn to the genre's inclusive and diverse storytelling (32m29s).

Debunking Criticisms of Romance Novels

• Despite the genre's success, doubts have persisted, with some people questioning the literary merit of romance novels and assuming that women are the primary readers (32m47s).
• Romance novels are often discredited as a pleasure genre, with some people believing they don't enrich the minds or cultures of readers, which is considered false and silly (33m11s).
• The romance genre is a significant contributor to the publishing industry, providing an entry point into literature for many readers and promoting readership and general literacy (33m44s).

The Power of "Smut" and Inclusive Storytelling

• The term "smut" has negative and judgmental connotations, implying a reductive and low-value form of art, but romance readers have reclaimed the word to describe pure pleasure reading (34m27s).
• Romance fiction has evolved since Barbara Cartland's time, becoming gayer and more inclusive, with readers now having dedicated spaces to share their love of romance novels (35m19s).
• Modern romance novels reflect contemporary society, often focusing on the agency of women and their ownership of their sexuality and desires, which is more in line with current attitudes about sexuality (36m0s).

The Comfort and Escapism of Romance

• Barbara Cartland, despite her conservative views on women's sexuality, understood the value of romance novels in providing a sense of pleasure and calm for readers, which persists to this day (36m37s).
• Romance novels can be a source of comfort and relaxation, with some readers finding them more effective than tranquilizers in reducing stress and anxiety (36m45s).
• Romance novels, such as those written by Barbara Cartland, provide escapism for readers, allowing them to temporarily forget about the difficulties of everyday life and immerse themselves in a more beautiful and pleasant world (37m1s).
• In times of economic hardship, people are more likely to spend their free time and money on activities that bring them joy and relaxation, rather than something that is serious or emotionally taxing (37m5s).
• Barbara Cartland's granddaughter, Tara Parker, notes that her grandmother's books offer a welcome respite from the ugliness and negativity that pervades the news and other aspects of modern life (37m32s).
• Cartland's books are characterized by their beauty and ability to transport readers to a more pleasant and idyllic world, which is something that many women, in particular, are seeking in their leisure activities (37m45s).
• The news and media often focus on negative and disturbing topics, such as wars, violence, and ugliness, leaving little room for beauty, romance, or positivity (37m56s).
• Cartland's books, on the other hand, are intentionally beautiful and focus on romance, relationships, and happy endings, which is something that many readers find appealing and refreshing (38m10s).