Have you ever seen a person on the cover of a historical novel and thought, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to live in a story world like that?”
Me too.
For about five seconds.
After I came to my senses, I decided to make a list of a few things I appreciate about being able to read about historical heroines without actually being one. Enjoy!
One: I can wear sweatpants. (Also pants in general.)
Every now and then I get a twinge of longing looking at pretty dresses on historical novel covers. And then I remember that it would take forever to put on the corset and multiple layers of petticoats and the oppressive heat of that many layers and how did they even use an outhouse properly in those things? And I’m grateful for fleece leggings, sweaters, T-shirts, and jeans.
Downside: This may sound shallow, but the fact that I don’t have to lace myself into a day gown also means that the men around me aren’t obligated to wear suits. And a good-looking man in a suit…well, that might be a strong reason to get a time-travel ticket back to 1900.
Two: No expectation of constant wittiness/feistiness.
Fictional women are all way better at witty comebacks than I am. Also romantic compliments. And confrontational speeches. And persuasive arguments.
Okay, fine, so they’re just better at talking in general. That said, because I’m not a historical heroine, there’s way less pressure to come up with something dialogue-worthy on the spot. So, that’s good, right?
Downside: Maybe stepping into a historical novel would somehow endow me with the ability to fire back quotable lines all the time. Who can say? That would be pretty great.
Three: No chance of becoming a mail order bride.
This is not a particularly viable method of conducting a romance today, which I’m grateful for. Like, I don’t even know what sort of advertisement would apply to me. “Hardworking pioneer seeking directionally-challenged woman who loves eating chocolate and is conversant in moving pictures about legendary super-humans”? Somehow I doubt that one ever existed in history.
Downside: I do like to imagine how that first conversation with my husband-to-be would go if I was a mail-order bride. “Okay, you like to bake, good. But what is this washer and dryer you’re talking about?” “When I asked for experience with chickens, I meant raising them, and anyway, I’ve never heard of Chick-fil-A.” “Sure, I’m very proud of my extensive library, miss. I have four whole books!” (At this point, I’d hop back on that stagecoach and ride away!)
Four: Low chance of witnessing a murder, getting caught up in a scandal/scheme, fleeing an arranged marriage, or having my house ruined in a bombing raid.
Listen, I love these things in books. If every historical protagonist had a life as boring as mine, no one would read more than a few pages. (“Plot twist: she had yogurt and granola this morning for breakfast instead of a bagel. THE DRAMA!”)
That said, when you really think about it, a boring life isn’t so bad. Anyway, it’s way less stressful not to have an actual plotline.
Downside: Okay, I’ll admit it: every now and then I wonder, “What would it be like to race a carriage through the streets to reach a burning building in time to save a child’s life?” Come on, be honest. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought the exact same thing.
Five: I can vote.
Seriously, this took the U.S. way too long, but my pre-1920 counterparts will never know the feeling of participating in the democratic process. Yay, civic duty!
Downside: I’m not saying that I can’t stand political rants and clickbait and campaign ads on social media…but sometimes I get nostalgic for the days when your only contact with a politician would be a whistle-stop speech-giving tour. And you could throw rotten vegetables if you wanted. Hypothetically.
Six: No one actively hates me. (As far as I’m aware. If you do, feel free to let me know.)
Seriously, if I were in almost any fictional work, the odds of me having supportive parents, an undramatic romantic life, a circle of encouraging friends, and a healthy community would be very, very low.
I would have at least one of the following to add some drama: a stalker, an estranged sibling, an ex-fiancé (probably rich) who left me at the altar, a shadowy figure from my past, a nagging mother with unrealistic expectations, or a sworn enemy who wants revenge on me for complicated reasons.
So yeah…I’ll pass.
Downside: I’m not actually sure this one has a downside.
Seven: Regular bathing.
This applies to both my personal hygiene (can you imagine how greasy my hair would be if I only washed it for church on Sundays?), and the general health and pleasantness of such activities as breathing in a public space. Train rides with the barely-washed masses couldn’t have been quite as charming as they seem in books.
And have you noticed that historical romance heroes and heroines usually smell nice regardless of the availability of bathtubs? Like another character will get close and smell a whiff of lavender and a hint of cinnamon, or fresh air and lemongrass, or rosewater and hope. Meanwhile I’m over here like, “You’re on a farm in Nebraska in 1873—if you don’t smell like sweat and lye soap, take me to the general store where you’re buying your perfume, lady, because I want some.”
Downside: There’s really no excuse for me not to smell nice in today’s world, what with indoor plumbing and all. But sometimes it’s just so hard to make time to wash my hair in my shiny, indoor, hot-water shower that any self-respecting 19th century gal would kill for, you know?
That’s my list, readers. What reasons do you prefer to live in today’s world while reading about people in the past?
Bethany House Fiction 
Love this post, Amy! You had me giggling and amening all the way through. 🙂
Thanks, Karen! So glad your heroines don’t know what they’re missing as far as indoor plumbing! 🙂
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
Trust me, I LOVE Indoor plumbing! As a young teen my family lived in a house, in the country, with NO Plumbing. We had to draw water from the well, and tote it to the house, to even have water, and we had no indoor bathroom, we had an old fashioned toilet outside. Trust me in the winter it got mighty cold. Yet I love historical fiction.
One thing I am eternally grateful for is a washing machine, not the old wringer ones either.
Great post, I am glad I live with modern conveniences. And Car’s instead of wagons.
Omigosh, yes – washers and dryers! And besides cars – being able to call & communicate promptly and fairly reliably, as well as order things online & have them delivered so you don’t have to travel unless you want to, lol.
Oh, most definitely indoor plumbing! Especially during the winter. I can’t imagine my 3:00 foraysto the outhouse! And chamber pots don’t work for me, cuz most likely I’d be somebody else’s maid and I have to empty a bunch of them, haha
So true, Susan! Life would be pretty tough in the winter. I’d make a terrible pioneer, especially in a place like Minnesota, where I currently live.
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
One word: antibiotics.
Excellent point, Carolyn!
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
Insulation! I’ve been in beautiful, old houses built around 1900, and they are terrors to keep heated through a Minnesota winter–the walls are too thin, there’s not nearly enough insulation, and they often, even in modern times, have inefficient (and expensive) heating methods. If the grand old houses are that bad, what might a cabin built by your inexpert neighbors have been like? Or those beautiful but notoriously drafty old British estate houses? Brrr.
Yes, so true! And I can’t imagine the cabin fever of a winter trapped by snow, either!
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
LOL!! This is great! I love reading historicals, and enjoy “living” the story with the characters. But I’d not want to actually live there without indoor plumbing, hot water, modern medicine, pants (comfortable clothes), and more. My life is so much less dramatic than theirs, and for this I am glad! While fun to step out of my daily routine and into the fun drama of the story, I’d not want to really live there!
100% agree with all of this! Hooray for good books, and hooray for not living in them!
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
I love this! Yes, lack of indoor plumbing is at the top of my list, too! Probably everyone’s, lol.
Food convenience & variety would be an issue as well.
So true! Sometimes I’m amazed at how many spices are in my cabinet that would have been luxuries for the very rich.
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
Yes, I didn’t even begin to fully appreciate the extent of it till I read Elizabeth Camden’s “The Spice King”
I love it!!! LOL!!! It is great reading!!! 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and stopped by!
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
LOL this is a wonderful post. Made my day. Especially #7. I cant tell you how many times I have read and said to myself “seriously? you love her sweet breath on your face, while she has been working all day in the sun and is most likely sweaty and probably not brushed her teeth recently? LOL I do have fun at times. I am so grateful for the conveniences we have today. Thanks for pointing them out and reminding us again.
Ah yes, toothbrushes are yet another thing I appreciate about modern times! Good point, Lori. 🙂
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
That’s a little thing you could call “plot perfume”.
Great! Loved it!
This was so good! I grew up in a cobblestone house built in 1836. It sure was cold in the winter and hot in the summer. My bed was by the window. Used to dry my hair over the heat vent of our old oil burner in the 80 year old part of the house. No air conditioning until my parents remodeled ( right around my wedding) ! I love antiques and historical stories but I do like modern conveniences.
And how fun to know, Paula! I’m sure the remnants of days gone by made that house unique.
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
I’m glad you loved the post, Joyce! Thanks for visiting.
Amy Green
BHP Fiction Publicist
Yes, I agree with this post. I might want to visit a historical era for a day or so, but I’m too attached to my creature comforts to give them up. Indoor plumbing, heating and A/C, my heated mattress pad, cars, etc. Then again, I guess they had no idea what they were missing in those days–you don’t miss what you’ve never had.
Thanks for the fun and thought-provoking post!
Wonderful post! So enjoyed it! Mine would be central heat and air!
Thanks for this post! Guess what you’re saying is living in the present is a good thing! Easy to say—difficult to do!
Great post. There’s one you forgot, thought – that special lady time. Thank God for feminine hygiene products! I remember watching a PBS show from the UK where they took a family and put them back in link 1910 to live for x months and they’d wind money if they made it. They were talking about how to handle it. I can’t even. Of what about when they didn’t wear UNDERWEAR. Um…yeah…also, modern medicine and pain killers.
Well guess I have to write this over.
I love my air conditioning too much along with my cell phone to connect with the outside world.
I also love my means to be able to bathe whenever I want.
Whenever I ride the city bus there are a lot of them who don’t bathe or do anything else even though there are the means to do so. I find it no excuse whatsoever.
I’m glad I get to vote. I finally registered 2 yrs ago and I now get a say so which I’m forever grateful. Thank you to my predecessors for that
I often wonder what they would think of our world today? I’d think some would be shaking their heads at us. Especially the Recency Ladies!!
I loved this Amy!! Gives me an idea for my next post! I thought ablut doing one on the men lol!!
I laughed out loud and nodding my head as well lol!!
So fun and TRUE! I’m grateful for Target, air conditioning, and feminine products.
I want to smell like rosewater and hope.
Definitely the hygiene facilities!
This is hilarious! I can add “not being dead” to the list, because I have the worst eyesight ever, and probably would have been plowed over by a carriage or walked off a moor by the time I was 6!