Ruritanian romances

[db105]

According to wikipedia:

Ruritanian romance is a genre of literature, film and theatre comprising novels, stories, plays and films set in a fictional country, usually in Central or Eastern Europe, such as the "Ruritania" that gave the genre its name. Such stories are typically swashbuckling adventure novels, tales of high romance and intrigue, centered on the ruling classes, almost always aristocracy and royalty,[1] although (for instance) Winston Churchill's novel Savrola, in every other way a typical example of the genre, concerns a revolution to restore rightful parliamentary government in the republican country of Laurania. The themes of honor, loyalty and love predominate, and the works frequently feature the restoration of legitimate government after a period of usurpation or dictatorship.

Of course, the most famous novel in the genre is The Prisoner of Zenda (1894), set in the imaginary country of Ruritania, which gives the genre its name. In it, a British man is traveling in Europe and, when he gets to Ruritania, it turns out he very closely resembles the new king who is about to be crowned. There is a conspiracy to prevent the king from being crowned and he is persuaded to act as a political decoy, resulting in dangerous adventures.

Apart from that well-known novel, I have also read Long Live the King (1917), by Mary Roberts Rinehart, a less-known but rather charming and well-written Ruritanian novel about the country of Livonia, where the old king is about to die and revolutionary conspirators want to get rid of his grandson and heir, who is still a child. It is more thoughtful and less action-filled than the Prisoner of Zenda, although it still had plenty of adventure and excitement.

A more recent novel that pays homage to this genre is The Princess Bride, set in the country of Florin, which is a fond parody and homage of the classic swashbuckling Ruritanian novels.

And there are also secondary world fantasy novels that are influenced by this genre.

Have you read any novels in this genre?

[rkomar]

I think even one of the Three Investigators mystery novels for children were modeled after this genre. In "The Mystery of the Silver Spider", the boys travel to the tiny European country of Varania to help the prince foil a plot to overthrow the government. The book was published in 1967.

[db105]

Originally Posted by rkomar

I think even one of the Three Investigators mystery novels for children were modeled after this genre.

Interesting. I hadn't made the connection before, but now I remember that one of Enid Blyton's adventure books for children is 100% a Ruritanian tale. The Circus of Adventure, published in 1952.

This is the plot, taken from here:

For Philip, Dinah, Jack and Lucy-Ann, it seems a real bore to have the strangely conceited young foreign boy, Gussy, staying with them for the Easter holidays. But Gussy, it turns out, is more than he seems — and he and the other children are soon in grave danger. Caught up in a sinister political plot in the kingdom of Tauri-Hessia, they must find a way to outwit the villains and restore justice to the country — with the help of their new friends, the folk of a travelling circus!

[hildea]

My favourite in this genre (and one of my favourite books overall) is The Henchmen of Zenda by KJ. Charles, which tells what really happened during that dramatic time in Ruritania

Swordfights, lust, betrayal, murder: just another day for a henchman.

Jasper Detchard is a disgraced British officer, now selling his blade to the highest bidder. Currently that’s Michael Elphberg, half-brother to the King of Ruritania. Michael wants the throne for himself, and Jasper is one of the scoundrels he hires to help him take it. But when Michael makes his move, things don’t go entirely to plan—and the penalty for treason is death.

Rupert of Hentzau is Michael’s newest addition to his sinister band of henchmen. Charming, lethal, and intolerably handsome, Rupert is out for his own ends—which seem to include getting Jasper into bed. But Jasper needs to work out what Rupert’s really up to amid a maelstrom of plots, swordfights, scheming, impersonation, desire, betrayal, and murder.

Nobody can be trusted. Everyone has a secret. And love is the worst mistake you can make.

Some others I've liked:

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole

Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.

Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed. When Naledi mistakes the prince for a pauper, Thabiso can’t resist the chance to experience life—and love—without the burden of his crown.

The chemistry between them is instant and irresistible, and flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after?

The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert

Cherry Neita is thirty, flirty, and done with men. As far as she can tell, they’re overrated, overpaid, and underperforming – in every area of life. But a girl has needs, and the smoking-hot stranger she just met at the office seems like the perfect one-night stand…

Prince Ruben of Helgmøre is reckless, dominant, and famously filthy. The outcast royal is rebuilding his reputation – all for a good cause – but he can’t resist a pretty face. And bossy whirlwind Cherry’s got the face, the body, and the attitude to make Ruben’s convictions crumble. Even better, when she propositions him, she has no idea who he really is.

But when paparazzi catch the pair, erm, kissing in an alleyway, Ruben’s anonymity disappears faster than Cherry’s knickers. Now the press is in uproar, the palace is outraged, and Ruben’s reputation is back in the gutter. There’s only one way to turn this disaster around – and it involves Cherry, some big fat lies, and a flashy diamond ring. On her left hand.

Unfortunately, Cherry isn’t pleased with Ruben’s ‘fake engagement’ scheme… and neither is the king.

As a Norwegian, I found the imaginary Scandinavian country Helgmøre hilarious

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by db105

Have you read any novels in this genre?

I enjoyed The Mouse that Roared.

[Darqref]

I found Sherwood Smith's trilogy of
Coronets and Steel
Blood Spirits
Revenant Eve

about the small kingdom of Dobrenica to be pretty good. It's fantasy, with magic employed to shelter the country from it's neighbors during times of war.

[guanaco]

Not sure if this counts, but I enjoyed "Royal Flash" by George MacDonald Fraser.

From Amazon:

In Volume II of the Flashman Papers, Flashman tangles with femme fatale Lola Montez and the dastardly Otto Von Bismarck in a battle of wits which will decide the destiny of a continent. In this volume of The Flashman Papers, Flashman, the arch-cad and toady, matches his wits, his talents for deceit and malice, and above all his speed in evasion against the most brilliant European statesman and against the most beauiful and unscrupulous adventuress of the era. From London gaming-halls and English hunting-fields to European dungeons and throne-rooms, he is involved in a desperate succession of escapes, disguises, amours and (when he cannot avoid them) hand-to-hand combats. All the while, the destiny of a continent rests on his broad and failing shoulders.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by hildea

My favourite in this genre (and one of my favourite books overall) is The Henchmen of Zenda by KJ. Charles, which tells what really happened during that dramatic time in Ruritania

I read this on your recommendation and I thoroughly enjoyed it; it’s entirely in line with canon. The sex was more explicit than I like in general and rather outside the norm for the genre, but nothing a skim couldn’t handle.

Originally Posted by guanaco

Not sure if this counts, but I enjoyed "Royal Flash" by George MacDonald Fraser.

Another fantastic read that fits with canon. In some ways I think the entire Flashman is an offshoot of the genre, obviously subverting it. Wonderful books.

[issybird]

One of my favorites in this genre is the largely forgotten Graustark (1901), by George Barr McCutcheon, a variation on the basic Zenda theme with an American hero. McCutcheon is probably best known (that is, not very any more) for his 1902 novel, Brewster’s Millions, which has had a dozen or so adaptations.

[Dr. Drib]

^

Here's the epub, listed here on Mobileread:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...arr+McCutcheon

[hildea]

Originally Posted by issybird

I read this on your recommendation and I thoroughly enjoyed it; it’s entirely in line with canon. The sex was more explicit than I like in general and rather outside the norm for the genre, but nothing a skim couldn’t handle.

Thanks, it's nice to hear that a recommendation has been useful

I remembered another series for this thread: The Alpennia series by Heather Rose Jones. The first novel is "Daughter of Mystery" (there are a couple prequel short stories which I haven't read):

Margerit Sovitre did not expect to inherit Baron Saveze’s fortunes—even less his bodyguard, a ruthlessly efficient swordswoman known only as Barbara. Wealth suddenly makes Margerit a highly eligible heiress and buys her the enmity of the new Baron. He had expected to inherit all, and now eyes her fortune with open envy.

Barbara proudly served as the old Baron’s duelist but she had expected his death to make her a free woman. Bitterness turns to determination when she finds herself the only force that stands between Margerit and the new Baron’s greed.