Fiction Examiner: eBooks offer an affordable option for budget minded book lovers

Fiction Examiner: eBooks offer an affordable option for budget minded book lovers

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Why We Search for the Lost Soul

The Lost Soul archetype found in literature and film is the tortured, secretive individual with a sensitive heart. He is brooding, moody, sometimes aggressive, and usually a loner. And as I write this description of the Lost Soul I am trying to understand why he is so popular with the femmes.

Let's think about this, if there is a man who snaps like a crazy straw, beats himself up like a self-flagellation fan, and can't crack a smile...well, where is the appeal?

It must be his search for something pure and true. Someone who will ease his hurt and bring that glimpse of heaven that has been so elusive. He needs .... that sums it all up. He needs.

And a strong man that needs something emotional from a woman is sexy.

My two favorite vampires Angel and Edward Cullen epitomize the Lost Soul archetype. Angel and Edward fight the very nature of their beings in order to adhere to a personal moral code. If the moral code were not in place they would just be monsters, but with the code they become heroes.

Edward is "the lion who fell in love with the lamb." He recognizes that his instincts are to destroy, so he separates himself from humans as much as possible. But when Bella comes to town he discovers an unexpected and inexplicable attraction to her. She is his destiny, and he is loath to admit it.

He tries to distance himself with indifference and anger. But he can't win. He will fall in love with the human, and now his torture is up close and personal. Because now he wants to eat the woman he loves -- and not in a good way. Ouch!

But Edward's struggle brings out the fantasy. If there is a man out there willing to risk everything for his woman, then all his faults fall to the wayside.

He is the epitome of female fantasy fiction. And we love it.

Why is the Bad Boy so Damn Sexy?

I took an unofficial poll, and the results are in. Women love a rebellious, dangerous, don’t mess with me type of man. In fiction and film, these men are the snarling, brooding types who don’t want anyone to get close to them.

They are the forbidden fruit.

For those of you who like your men a bit fuzzy, Wolverine is a Bad Boy. His mean disposition, bad attitude towards authority, and aggressive nature drop him right into the Bad Boy category. But his good heart, quest for justice, and protective instincts make him a hero. And that’s the beauty of the Bad Boy; he loves to save and can be saved.

The Bad Boy might also be the man from the wrong side of the tracks. Shakespeare got this right when he paired up Romeo with Juliet. Charlaine Harris created the ultimate Bad Boy, when she brought the vampire Bill Compton into Sookie’s life. And he not only comes from the wrong side of the tracks, he is on the wrong side of the food chain – But Sookie loves him (so do I).

Bad Boys function best in positions of power. Legal or illegal, normal or paranormal, the Bad Boy will become destructive and frustrated if he doesn’t have an outlet for his negative energies. But despite his aggressive behavior, his actions are monitored by an internal system of chivalry that keeps the women coming back for more.

But let's face it, we also love the Bad Boys who don't want to be saved. Can you think of any?

Did I Say I Hate Twilight?

I might have. But I take it all back.

I finally broke down and bought Twilight on PPV. I’m hooked! Edward is the most amazing, ancient, alpha- teenage male I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching for two hours on the big HD. And that includes Leo in Romeo and Juliet.

Edward is the bad-boy trying to stay good, thanks to the help of the right woman (or in Edward’s case, the woman he’s been waiting for). And on top of it all, his protective instinct makes a girl (woman) want to melt right into his shimmery gold eyes. And when Bella’s friend says it looks like Edward wants to eat her…well, someone sound the bell, it’s snack time.

Considering that Edward is 17, I should feel a little icky about my infatuation with the high school heart breaker. But he’s been 17 for a while so that would make him old enough to be a great, great, great, great, grandfather...In my wishfully thinking mind that's not too old, not too young, but juuust right.

In a literary sense, Edward’s onscreen character is an interesting combination of the Lost Soul and the Bad Boy archetypes found in Romance Literature. The brooding, dark looks, protective instincts bordering on insane obsession, open heart yearning for acceptance, are all elements of Edward’s character that make him perfect for Romance lover’s searching for a timeless love story.

Next post…I’ll take a closer look at the Romance Literature archetypes.