Tag: asako yuzuki

I have just finished the absolutely transformative Butter by Asako Yuzuki, which gives such nuanced thoughts about women, their perception of themselves, and how their bodies are scrutinised in public. In the context of my own writing, it made me think of what we consider a happy relationship in fiction, especially in romance. While some level of objectification feels necessary (after all, romantic partners generally have to find each other attractive), in a lot of romance and romantasy novels I read lately, a lot of emphasis is put on the size disparity between the protagonists. The female characters are usually tiny, to a point of fetishism (with the notable exception of some Sarah McLean novels), with their partners being almost grotesquely larger. 

The male romantic lead so often is portrayed as a bit dangerous, usually uncommunicative, with a very distinct strength/power disparity between himself and the female protagonist. 

I wonder just how much of those differences come from the reader’s desire to relinquish control in a safe setting, and how much comes from our society’s fetishisation of toxic/controlling relationships. I personally tend to feel a bit uneasy with such scenarios, especially when such relationships are idealised in romances. 

Whilst I’m not here to judge anyone’s preferences in reading, it is important to me to create a space in fiction for healthy, communicative and equitable relationships, and writing passion that comes from true connection, rather than the thrill of danger. And, most importantly, I want my readers to feel happy once they’re finished reading Binding the Cuckoo. I want them to feel confident that the protagonist is, in fact, quite, quite safe with her chosen partner. 

I want my Happily Ever Afters to have no caveats to them. I like to write my romance romantic, and my horror horroresque. And I tend to leave the two distinct from each other.