What is the best romance novel for a man ?

Answer 1

Shogun
John Blackthorne (given the nickname Anjin, meaning "pilot," by the Japanese because they can't pronounce his name), pilot and acting captain of the Dutch trading ship Erasmus, is shipwrecked on the coast of Japan. He and his crew are captured and forced to live in a pit for a couple days. The samurai in charge of them throws seawater on the crew when they misbehave. Eventually, the samurai in charge talks to Blackthorne and takes him to his daimyo's household. The daimyo plans to turn Blackthorne over to the custody of his lord, Toranaga. While in the household, Blackthorn's name is changed to Anjin-san. He then enters the service of Toranaga, a powerful feudal warlord who rules over the Kanto (Kwanto) plain, the site of modern-day Tokyo, and falls in love with Mariko, a convert to Christianity who is torn between her new religion and her native culture.

Despite a rocky start, Blackthorne slowly gains an understanding of the Japanese people and their culture, and eventually learns to respect it deeply. A turning point in this process is Blackthorne's attempt at seppuku (ritual suicide). The Japanese grow to respect the "barbarian" in turn and he is eventually granted the status of samurai and hatamoto. Blackthorne is torn between his love for Mariko (who is married to a powerful samurai), his growing loyalty to Toranaga, and his desire to return to the open seas aboard Erasmus and capture the "Black Ship," a treasure-laden Portuguese vessel. Eventually, he reunites with the survivors of his original crew and is so astonished at how far he's come away from the standard European way of life (rare bathing, meat-eating) that he is disgusted by what he sees. Blackthorne's plans to attack the Black Ship are complicated by his friendship with that vessel's pilot.

In parallel with this plot, the novel also details the power struggle between Toranaga and Ishido (two great daimyos or feudal lords), and the political manoeuvring of the Christians, particularly the Jesuits. Toranaga's ultimate goal is to be named Shogun, the supreme military commander of Japan and second in power only to the Emperor himself.

Answer 2

I always feel annoyed at book sales when books are divided into male or female interest books. Years ago science fiction was held to be a male domain. Female writers in the genre used masculine pen-names or ambiguous names such as Andre Norton. The readership was also supposed to be mainly male. Then the fen (SF term for fans) started holding large cons (conventions) and it became obvious there was a large feminine contingent and many enjoyed the hard science stories as much as the fantasy ones. Incidentally the only other genre I know that has a large organised fandom is romance. I think any differences between men and women are more cultural than real. Certainly you cannot tell the gender of an author by reading their book. I know many people were astonished to learn that Julian May is female.

Answer 3

I would recommend Richard Bach's, "The Bridge Across Forever: A Love Story" (1984) Dell Reissue (1989), ISBN 0440108268

It's a sort of autobiographical. It's not the kind of stuff that us guys shy away from (mushy sentimentality). Check it out.

Otherwise, I recommend my favorite book of all time, "The Fountainhead, " by Ayn Rand. I will only say that it became a rage in the 1940s after it had been turned down about 14 times, and it became a rage in the 60s and 80s again. It is fantastic and it will change the way you look at things around you.

Answer 4

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

It appeals to all kinds of readers because it's *not* a strict "romance" novel. (Even the modern cover is not going to embarrass anyone, though it's often shelved with the romances.)

The two main characters aren't your standard cardboard cutouts either - and they're definitely not trapped in an ordinary plot. (As Salon.com once pointed out; in this story, the "mysterious stranger" is the woman and the "young innocent" is male!)

Though their love story is an integral part of the novel, Outlander is also about time travel, the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and other Scottish politics of the period. I'm aware of quite a few men who like this book (and its 5 sequels.)

Answer 5

As a person who has worked years in libraries, I recall one popular male novelist of love stories, http://www.leigh-greenwood.com/.

But there are many female (and other male, Andrew Greeley has a bit of romance in novels he writes) authors who do just as good (and some EVEN better than Leigh Greenwood) , The best I can recommend for a guy "Like A Virgin" by Carol Schede is amazon rated 5 stars and with good reason, the author captures the male point of view and creates a story that is mature, realistic and yet very heartwarming."The Bride" by Julie Garwood, "Kiss An Angel" by Susan Elizabeth Philips, "Risen Glory" By Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Susan Elizabeth Phillips has a football series (try "Nobody's Baby But Mine" and "This Heart of Mine") that is great for fans of the sport. Diane Mott Davidson has mystery and love story and is well-written. Christine Rimmer is realistic as well.

Answer 6

I don't know, but my wife just finished reading "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks and insists that I read it.

Answer 7

"The Bridges of Madison County". My boyfriend loves it, and the movie too.

Answer 8

A AWESOME romantic book is "The Raider" by Jude Deveraux, it is sooooo good!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

"Sons and Lovers" - D.H. Lawrence

Answer 10

real men dont read romance