Comments on: Stock siblings in romance

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:42:21 +0000

JC – I never thought about mixed gender siblings. Maybe a closer analysis of the Bridgertons is in order.

Victoria — undoubtedly, you are right that these types are popular with heroes regardless of whether they are brothers of heroes, and I think that must account for a lot of what I have observed. I had completely forgotten about the Balogh books.

Willaful — I also agree with you that there are family dynamics at work. Here’s something on birth order that supports your theory.

By: willaful

willaful — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:21:45 +0000

There are common family patterns that have been observed and studied–particularly in dysfunctional families–and a lot of these fit in with those well-known patterns. For example, the oldest character being the responsible savior type and the youngest being the family clown.

I’m rather fond of series which feature a “good” brother and a “bad” brother, because it’s so much fun to see the good brother go bad and vice versa.

By: Victoria Janssen

Victoria Janssen — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:22:54 +0000

Historical series featuring siblings often have more than three brothers, but with some of the same character types. I think the popularity of the so-called Alpha Male type, and the Rake type, in historicals might have something to do with it.

For example, in Mary Balogh’s Bedwyn series, the pattern holds true. Aidan in SLIGHTLY MARRIED is a loyal, steady army officer; Rannulf is the womanizer in SLIGHTLY WICKED; Alleyne in SLIGHTLY SINFUL is a former dashing rake who has to overcome amnesia, making him a bit of a combo character; and Wulfric in SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS is the dark, forbidding, isolated oldest brother. That series also features a couple of their sisters as heroines of their own books; still pondering if they fit a pattern as well.

By: JC

JC — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:23:49 +0000

Hmmm. I wonder if the pattern holds if they’re mixed gender siblings? I’m going to have to look at Elizabeth Lowell’s older series… I’ve been working through them steadily.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:45:29 +0000

Thanks for confirming that about the Quinns. I’ve heard it’s one of her best series, so I plan to get to it eventually.

I guess if you don’t want to make siblings indistinguishable, these types are a good way to differentiate them.

Thank you for commenting!

By: PJ

PJ — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:25:26 +0000

Huh… never realized it, but now come to think of it… you’re right!!!
Nora Roberts’ Quinn brothers fit the pattern in reverse, though they’re not blood brothers: the eldest Cam is the irrepressible , footloose playboy, Ethan, quiet, morose, never-to-bond because of guilt weighing him down, and Phillip, responsible,hard working. And her new Sign of Seven trilogy is doing the same, though they’re really bonded childhood friends : Caleb,responsible, rooted business owner; Fox, hippie lawyer with tragedy in his past, and Gage (his book’s coming soon), wandering, gambling bad boy.
This is like a game….