Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for January 11, 2023

So if Nancy thinks her romance novels are so wonderfully written and full of history and intrigue…. why did she hide them from Luann for so long?

Luann ever the complainer about written works of masterpiece when she herself can barely write anything worthy of a masterpiece.

Did Luann really wanted to become a writer or was it just a momentary idea? And while Nancy’s suggestion that reading good writers will help her become a good writer is true, There are lots of good writers in the library that aren’t writers of bodice-tippers. Luann would be better serviced there.

Mention of all of the history in “Coverly’s” books re-enforces the assumption that Coverly is Mr, Fogarty.

But his first book as about Mer folk in Atlantis. I’m not sure there is much history there. That stuff was all made up.

Bodice ripping is a lost art

A new author appears upon the firmament; Lou D. Groot! Or will it be I. M. Groot? 8^ )

I . . . honestly can’t even really gauge just what sort of response/reaction Luann is even putting out there. Sarcasm? Facetiuousness? Derision? She’s kind of been a bit of a roller coaster.

Still think the author is really Aaron Hill!

Luann get past yourself.

Snoopy, Billy, and Pig are stuck to a refrigerator door.

I have an Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman who are waiting for the punchline.

It would be like giving a Playboy or Penhouse to a teenage boy for his own reading. You got to know your kid! Maybe Luann’s mother knew that she couldn’t deal with the sex part. In the real times we can’t hide this from the kids anymore it is so sad. That we let this get so out of hand!

Hey I like the fridge magnets! And “Mr Coverly”. Is this setting us up for a surprise, that it’s actually a pen name for Ms Tara.

Just wait until they see who the author really is.

Maybe this is Nancy’s way of getting out of giving “the talk”. Give Luann the book to read instead.

I still don’t understand why everyone is so intent on the author being someone who is already part of this little world. I hope it’s a team, like James Patterson and all his cowriters. Why not bring in someone new? Why always dredge up old characters, like Fogarty?

The Sheesh moment

If you ask me, romance novels are a perfectly valid and valuable genre of literature. What bugs me about them is the specific ways that the fans try to defend the genre (which in itself is a fine thing to do).

The books are often full of history… So? A book doesn’t become great art because it’s educational. A book set in contemporary times isn’t (And as romance fans sometimes point out, a lot of historical romances take place in a sort of fantasy version of the past. Not “fantasy” as in “dragons and magic” but as in “Characters have modern-day values, and all their teeth still in their mouths.”) Tom Clancy doesn’t become a great literary master just because his books teach you about international politics and give you specs on air force planes.

Romance novels usually focus on women’s pleasure, fans often say. That’s a good thing, natch, but it doesn’t automatically make a book well-written or the characters deep.

The REAL reason that romance novels are good, when they are, is that they have deep characters, dialogue that rings true, prose that says exactly what it’s supposed to say, conclusions that are satisfying without feeling contrived, and other things like that.

And yeah, some of it is just cheap thrills. Which is fine if that’s what you’re into, of course. No need to try to dress it up. Nothing makes it harder to take a genre seriously (for me, at least) than when the fans insist that every darn book must be regarded as great art in its own way.

Interesting magnets behind the device in Panel #1: Snoopy, Jeffy, and Pig (Is that his name? I don’t regularly read Pearls Before Swine).

No, now we’re just irritated. It’s not reading it that’s weird, it’s deriving pleasure—and smugness—out of making their daughter and friend feel so uncomfortable. As if they’re bullying her. And if Luann is uncomfortable with the topic of sex I’m sure Nancy and Frank had something to do with that. They raised her. Remember, Frank was all “Do you have any questions about sex?” with Brad on Brad’s wedding day. (Brad was no by child then.)

Now Luann’s resistance to those novels is so exaggerated to be suspicious. This is no longer a prejudice, this is Luann who has decided to completely eliminate love and romance of her life, probably because of her delusion with Quill. Nancy and Bernice are right, she needs to read those books and try to make peace with that part of herself that she is denying and make her being sick in silence. Also, the magnets on the fridge are great.

I don’t care much for those types of books myself having read a couple of random ones, but here’s the thing, each of these characters are adults, so her mom sharing them with Bernice isn’t really an issue. I will side with Luann that they aren’t great writing, but where they meant to be? Although if she hasn’t looked into those books, I can’t say I agree with Luann analysis either. Would hope that Nancy wouldn’t recommend a “p” book.

My wife assures me that not all romance novels are like “p”, but at the same time, each one I looked at seemed to be, guess I was just lucky or unlucky, depending on your point of view.

N & B are right. The way Luann is poo-pooing them and their choice of entertainment makes her appear to be just a critic who probably doesn’t really have aspirations to be an “author” beyond entering that contest. The D.Coverly is earning a few dollars from the “bodice rippers”.

OMFG SHE SAID THE “S” WOOOORD !!! (tee hee hee!)

I love that term “bodice ripper”… sounds so animal. :-D

I’m thinking the real “surprise” will come when they finally meet author “D. Coverly.”

The fridge magnets are cool.

I’m thinking more “if you want to be a SUCCESSFUL writer, read writing that SELLS.”

Greg Evans, please TURN OFF commentary.

Soooo… a guy writing chic poorn? Where’s the outrage? Besides, I’m sure Ann Eiffel could do MUCH better and it would make a boffo Netflix series. The Count would binge that one. Hope she leaves in the part with Harry and Megan.

I remember reading modern romance magazines growing up, I hid them from my mom,she eventually found out,sooo happy she wasn’t mad,my older sister omn the other hand liked mad magazines

Who else is amazed Luann used “bodice”?

I’m suddenly reminded of the TV series “Legends of Tomorrow” in which Mick Rory, a big, burly, gruff former supervillain, secretly became a highly successful romance novelist with hordes of devoted fans.

Great shout out to Peanuts, Family Circle and Pearls Before Swine.

I now have serious doubts that seeing the author will be a big deal. It would appear that maybe Luann may be about to find her niche as a romance novel writer. Play one of the Beatles’ old songs all day for inspiration and get after it.

Wonder if any of these characters read anything by Harold Robbins?

Wait until she discover’s Coverly is dad’s nom de plume.

I knew a guy who wrote bodice-rippers, the formulas were so rigid they almost wrote themselves. He said the writers conventions were great, there were 100 women per guy.

It’s hilarious the change in dynamics between Lu’s surprise, now mocking attitude toward her aptly described disbelief and amusement over the latter’s sharing of steamy novels. I think the real point is that if Lu wants to be a better, more inspired writer (or creative period) she needs to open her mind and not get boxed into unnecessary biases.

The last thing that Luann wants to read about is a fully detailed description of two people making sweet, sweet love to each other in bed. Just another reminder that she can’t get herself a man.

9 Chickweed Lane Classics strip today mirrors what is happening here, almost. Never even looked at that strip until Kymmie mentioned it last week.

If you look closely on the fridge, there are magnets of Snoopy, Pig from “Pearls Before Swine”, and Billy from “The Family Circus”.

All this time I had assumed D Coverly was a woman.

Twenty-year-old college girls should be out enjoying life with friends, not laying around the house reading about it.

Is this the first time the strip has ever used the word sex? Normally they hint at it.

Mrs Fogarty/Miss Phelps may be the surprise writer! Books not hidden from Luann…Luann not interested in Mom’s interests.

“Try it, you’ll like it.” Who knows Luann, maybe by reading a “bodice ripper” you’ll get inspired-to write something, at least.

Luann will never become self-aware or mature, will she?

Now we get to see Nancy and Bernice convince Luann they have good taste in books. YAWN. On a more important note, they have a really short refrigerator. What is it, one of those little apartment size units?

Prude!

Guilty Pleasures…so little guilt…so much pleasure…

Uh, Luann, haven’t you been trying to shove Bernice into a shag and/or relationship? Why come off as a prude now?

Aw, go ahead, Luann. Rip a few bodices.

Just becuase something is well written, doesn’t mean it’s for everybody. She probably didn’t want to have to defend her guilty pleasure to someone who wouldn’t understand it.

I love Radiohead. I know many folks don’t think any relevant mysic has been created after the 70s, 80s, or whatever they were listening to in their prime. But I’m not going to defend them to those people.

When Luann reads that book she’ll probably have an organization moment.Always nice when a book helps you get organized. I call them “self-help” books.

Who said she hid them? Maybe Luann just did not come across them before. BTW why do you always write in bold face font? lol Your comments always invite replies.

I don’t read Romance/Lust books. Are any of them really Good Writing?

“Which is the hardest thing to write well.” And you would know this how, Bernice?

Yeah, “bodice-ripper.” Now that’s a teen slang term that you hear all the time. I keep feeling like this comic is being written by out-of-touch senior citizens trying to relive their lost mojo.

The point some of you are missing, is that Luann, (as many of us don’t) never thought of her mother as a person with urges, needs, things of that nature. And when her mom comes out and says, “Hey I like these kinds of books” it’s that whole kind of “Ewww, I don’t need to know that.” Coupled with Bernice, who, as far as Luann, knows, has never had a boyfriend, she’s a little freaked out. I’d say it’s actually a pretty common reaction.

Hmm.

I am not sure if I would agree with idea that the typical bodice-ripper romance novel constitutes “good writing”. I have had a long-unfullfilled dream of writing a novel of some sort during various times of my life. During one period of attempting to organize myself to do so, I was trying to discern which genre would be good for a first attempt. I looked through a few romance novels, thinking that a) they tended to be shorter, b) they might be “easier” to write and get accepted as they are in a genre that is abundantly published and are almost a “dime-a-dozen”. When I read a couple, I found the writing to be average at best and often times rather poor.

But, if Luann really does want to become a writer, it IS good to examine a wide array of genres. I think Nancy and Bernice are correct on that score.

So, instead of this being an arc about Luann realizing more depth concerning her Mom, it appears that it may instead be becoming an arc about Luann’s writing dream. I actually like that focus, and if true, it should be quite fun and enjoyable…. even though I DO think Luann does need to become more aware of her Mom’s depth and also not be so rather dismissive and critical of Bernice in this instance as well.

The only good thing about this arc is that Luann has insulted Bernice two days in a row.

i like cozy mysteries. i have learned a few historic facts from them. like there was a book about the lover’s eye broach and another one about the tin masks that men wore while out in public that looked like their face. they had disfigurement from the war and would use them. when i come across some facts like these i would google them. this is a couple of examples but, some romances might have a few historic facts thrown in.

hung up on the phrase “bodice-ripper”……

Don’t listen to them, Luann. There are much better written stories than dumb romance novels.

I truly hope that we actually see who D Coverly is and not another cliff hanger left dangling in the wind never to be solved.

“Mr Coverly’s books are full of History & intrigue is like saying Penthouse Letters are written by Nobel Prize winners….LOL…..

We’ve read your writing, Luann. You are in no position to judge.

Just add a few witches and spells to those books and turn them into movies

Luann’s body language says a lot.

I have trouble buying that Luann, who’s Gen-Z and grew up with fanfiction/fandom and the internet, would act like such an prudish, old biddy over this. Also Gen-Z Luann… Mind-boggling thought, right? I started reading this strip when she was older than I was and I’m a millennial. Anyway, seeing her ragging on her mother and best friend’s reading taste is kind of irksome given she’s never been shown to read anything for fun outside of tabloids.

Anyway, Nancy’s right, the genre isn’t that different from any other genre. Especially these days where there’s a lot of genre crossover with authors merging romance with other genres like mystery/paranormal/sci-fi/historical etc. and the only difference is that they may include sex scenes and the demographic it’s targeted at. I’ve noticed books on Goodreads labeled romance that include no sex scenes but which have a couple falling in love as a plot beat. Sometimes people just want to watch a couple get together, is it a big deal?

Could it be it helped her sex life?

Luann has been wrapped up in her own life, maybe taken her Mom for granted not thinking she’s a person with her own interests. Many movies and period tv series are adapted from books. Many popular period dramas, like Outlander are based on “bodice rippers”/historical romance novels.

I like the frig magnet salute to Sparky, Pastis and Keane. ;-D

Now we see where this story is heading. Luann is going to attempt to write a steamy romance novel! This should be interesting, considering from all Greg has shown us, she is still a virgin. Come to think of it, so is Bernice, for all we’ve seen.

I know sex is distracting, but didn’t anybody else notice the tributes to “Peanuts,” “Family Circus,” and “Pearls Before Swine”?

This is amazing, Mom has come out to be a human being with feelings of passion. Luann who is normally pretty open minded is suddenly a prude and Bernice who is usually a prude is a passion freak awakening. (nothing wrong with being a passion freak)This storyline is a bit backwards from the usual. And refreshing when you think of how old the “usual” had become for most of us. Tedious at times. Many of us wondered aloud if they would ever grow up?

Love the fridge magnet shout-outs to Family Circus and Peanuts (can’t quite get the pink sweater one, though)

Don’t faint, Luann!!!!!

They need to rename the town this takes place in “Disfunction Junction”.

Maybe Luann will get hooked on these books—-not so much for the sex as for the character development and plot. She actually could learn a lot.

I never thought Luann was this much of a prude.

See what works. See what fails.

Hey folks, stop ripping the bodices, okay? Those things cost money.

You might be surprised, Luann. There’s lots of good young authors writing romance novels on specs just to pay their bills. Some have real talent.

I guess it is a little surprising that a mother would encourage her daughter to read something like that. However, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, could be she is trying to have an open mind.

“Bodice-rippers” are a waste of brain cells.

Does Luann want to be a writer? Or was she just going along with something that Bernice and Tara pulled her into?

Time and place…time and place.

Is she really using MAGNETS to hold notes to the back of her monitor ????

Could be a codpiece ripper.

I’d love to see Bernice write a hot, steamy romance novel. It would be more neurotic than erotic. Any suggestions for a title?

Speed Bump by Dave Coverly?

I say Luann give it a read

Did anyone else notice the cool refrigerator magnets???? Nice tip of the hat to Peanuts Family Circus and Pearls Before swine.

So…the bookstores nowadays all have plenty of YA Romance Novels. So are those novels more like PG-13 movies as far as sex is concerned, while the romance novels that Nancy and Bernice more like R-rated movies? (I’m thinking a “Fifty Shades of Grey”-type audience.) Please help, I’m kind of clueless as far as this is concerned!

R.I.P. Jeff Beck, guitarist. One of the best ever.

My mom wouldn’t let me read or watch the James Bond books/films when they came out- I think I was around 11 or 12 then. And a few years later, she wouldn’t let me read Madam Bovary, when my brother lent me his copy after his college English class studied it. Still haven’t read it, although I have finally watched most of the older James Bond films.

Given that there’s so much terrible writing out there involving sex, and that Luann has no experience to help her weed out the trash, I’d say she probably should start with something else.

BTW, I like the cutesy comic-themed refrigerator magnets. Nice thinking.

(Slight cognitive dissonance between “The Family Circus” and the three women’s discussion, though.)

Nancy, i don’t mean to be a pessimist but i HIGHLY doubt you’re getting any grandchildren. Luann is practicing abstinence and toni doesn’t want kids.

Well, well, another snark from Luann. She called Bernice a nerd. Of course, she is. I am pointing out that Bernice’s snarks about Luann are all true as well.

Don’t be such a prude you wouldn’t take their advice. They gave you good ones.

Let me see here…. Are you maybe implying, mortified little Luann, that maybe, just maybe, you know what a “bodice buster (or ripper)” is because you have read one (or more)? Hypocrisy?

Hm. What you describe sounds to me like a liberated girl having fun with her many suitors and friends.

Luann is lucky to have such a close, understanding family, where people say who they are and not be attacked. I bet Luann would enjoy Lady Chatterly’s Lover and that author’s other novels about women in love. As an aspiring writer she appreciates good writing, which is not what the bodice rippers are.

“Which is the hardest thing to write well.”

https://literaryreview.co.uk/bad-sex-in-fiction-award

Is Nancy saying that her daughter isn’t a good writer? Way to be supportive.