Today I am going to begin a Genre Discussion; and the genre at hand is "Chick Lit," a rather derogatory term for a sub-genre of fiction which does not get a great deal of press, but does comprise a large section of many bookshops. I am going to explore some of the devices and storylines that frequently populate books of this genre, as well as generally discussing the genre as a whole. I hope that you will join in the discussion with me in the comments section.
Starting off, what is "Chick Lit"? A simple and frequently used definition of this term is "literature which appeals to young women," which I personally find sexist and a grand generalisation which assumes that all young women enjoy lighthearted, often stereotypical stories and frequently mindless romance. It's a definition which has been used for a number of years and apparently is here to stay. Sexist internet definitions aside, "Chick Lit" is a term generally used to describe books which follow female protagonists through the 'trials' of modern womanhood, i.e: Sex and relationships with men.
The problems with this sort of label are numerous, and altogether a rant for another day. While there is nothing inherently wrong with books that follow romantic and sexual relationships, the stereotypes which frequently populate books in this genre (if you believe it is a legitimate term) are problematic. For example, the vast majority of books in this genre involve at least one woman giving up her entire life and often her identity, in pursuit and containment of a man. Don't even get me started on this one, because it will not end well.
One could argue that the very nature of "Chick Lit" is anti-feminist. While there are certainly exceptions to the rule (the books of Candace Bushnell come to mind), the generally-held conceptions about this genre are that there is a simple formula to follow: Woman has life of her own until world is tipped upside-down by a man and then her life revolves instead around him.
The literary devices often employed in "Chick Lit" novels are strong use of metaphor, analogy and hyperbole. The man is not 'handsome,' he is 'a burning star in the dark skies of love.' He is 'the sexiest and most attractive man on the entire planet.' This type of writing leaves little to the imagination and constructs a larger-than-life view of a single person. It is easy to get lost in the descriptions in "Chick Lit" novels, because they often take up entire pages.
Some examples of "Chick Lit" novels are:
- Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding (which I actually found to be quite funny and a good read)
- Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell
- One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell
- I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
- The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
- Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
- Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger
While these books are not inherently bad, one has to wonder what the effects of perpetuating such strong female stereotypes could be on the social climate. By depicting humorous, dorky or 'weaker' women who have things going for them but blow off all said things when the opportunity for a relationship with a man comes around, that is sending a message to millions of readers that it's okay to be your own woman, until you find a man.
There is nothing wrong with a lighthearted romance novel. I'm not suggesting that all self-aware women should boycott this section of the bookshop or even that these books don't have their place in literature. What I am suggesting, though, is that perhaps there is room for change.
Rhi xo
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