Science Fiction Romance: The Illegitimate Cousin No One Wants to Talk About

When the average person thinks of romance, what comes to mind are the bodice rippers of old featuring burly pirates clutching their scantly clad maidens longing for their touch. Grant it that maybe true for some aspects of the genre, but what about the rest? Romance books reach into every aspect of the human experience from tragedy to triumph with one major feature-- the romantic relationship between the couple or couples or name your number (erotic readers you know what I'm talking about) as the main component of the story. This does not mean forsaking story line, plot and character development. It does mean that we readers are drawn into the relationship and are involved in their journey of discovery.

In science fiction however, particularly films, there often is an element of romance within it. (Think boy gets the girl at the end and they fly off into the abyss to colonize a planet in peace.) And I'm all for that. I think it's cool. However it is usually an after thought in the film or book in question. However that's not quite what we're discussing here.

Then what is Science Fiction Romance? Is there a sure fire definition? Not yet in my opinion. But you'll definitely know it when you read it. In lieu of a definition here are some hints that will help narrow your focus.

In this kind of story the basics of science fiction do apply be it technological, behavioral, social or otherwise i.e. futuristic world, time or place-- not necessarily visitors from a futuristic world time or place. Because that could be considered Time Travel. Think space ships, genetically altered babies, aliens, intergalactic wars, space pirates you get the picture. And there always has to be a romantic element that is central to the plot and development of the character i.e. not only is she is a space pirate but her husband is a Captain in the Intergalactic Police Force charged with capturing her.

Sounds easy enough? Well we're not quite finished. Because they have to have a believable relationship (we're not talking about real. After all why would a space pirate fall for a stuffy old captain anyways? But the real -er the better.) And more importantly, there has to be a happy ending. What's the point if they both die in a tragic explosion killing themselves and never having the chance for that baby (who has to choose which side of the law he/she is on in the sequel) to come about? Sounds formulaic? I think not.

There are plenty of writers who write works of tragedy (and you know the ending will be let's just say “heartbreaking”) and their work is considered sound, valid even praised as excellent pieces of literature. Why then books with the expectation of a happy ending be less valid or even praised as a type of literature? In this world of good news and bad. Wouldn't you rather have more good news? I would. Bad news will come any way, I don't always have to read about it. But back to my point.

So does Science Fiction Romance fall under the heading of Science Fiction-- where it is more often scoffed at or does it belong under the heading of Romance where there is a loyal following but keeps a low profile under the categories of Futuristic or Paranormal depending on who categorized the directory. If we as an audience were to seriously review our favorite scifi books, movies and tv shows and give the work a closer look, would we recategorize?

What if Star Wars was more about Han and Leia? Would it be Sci fi/Space Opera or would it be considered Scifi Romance? Read the Courtship of Princess Leia and let me know.