1. DLP Flash Christmas Competition + Writing Marathon 2024!

    Competition topic: Magical New Year!

    Marathon goal? Crank out words!

    Check the marathon thread or competition thread for details.

    Dismiss Notice
  2. Hi there, Guest

    Only registered users can really experience what DLP has to offer. Many forums are only accessible if you have an account. Why don't you register?
    Dismiss Notice
  3. Introducing for your Perusing Pleasure

    New Thread Thursday
    +
    Shit Post Sunday

    READ ME
    Dismiss Notice

Oneshot Definitions of Romance by Elizabeth Culmer - T

Discussion in 'Romance' started by srikant61, Dec 5, 2011.

  1. srikant61

    srikant61 Fifth Year

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2007
    Messages:
    143
    Thread Title: Definitions of Romance by Elizabeth Culmer
    Title: Definitions of Romance
    Author: Elizabeth Culmer
    Rating: T
    Genre: Romance
    DLP Category: Romance
    Pairing: Harry/Hermione
    Status: One-Shot

    Summary: Everyone said they were the least romantic couple in the world.

    Link: Definitions of Romance

    This is one of the best H/Hr one-shots I've read. It keeps Harry and Hermione in character without descending into Sue-ness and doesn't involve too much fluff.

    I rate this fic at 4/5.

    I'd also be much obliged if you could add the pairing tag, like I did just now. - Sesc
    Checked by Sorrows: 03/08/2019
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 3, 2019
  2. Silens Cursor

    Silens Cursor The Silencer DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2008
    Messages:
    2,219
    Location:
    The other side of reality
    Huh...

    I kind of liked it, to be honest. It's short, it's sweet, it's actually shockingly self-aware, and it's the kind of relationship I find very believable. Hell, it reminded me a lot of my sister's relationship with her boyfriend - they aren't big on romantic gestures or all that stuff, they prefer it simpler.

    I do have some criticisms of it, namely that the fic is just self-aware enough to be a tad too 'cute' for my taste. Granted, the understated nature of the story really helps disguise that, but it still comes off a little too self-satisfied for its own good, IMO.

    Overall, though, I liked the simple, understated elements of the story, and it's probably one of the few ways I could ever see Harry/Hermione working. It's easily the best fic of the ship I've ever read, and that would earn it a 5/5 out of the gate - but that being said, it's a little dry, a little slow, a little too cutesy, and a little too satisfied with itself to earn that rating.

    4/5
     
  3. thebrute7

    thebrute7 High Inquisitor

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2011
    Messages:
    500
    Location:
    Newberg Oregon
    I liked it, but I don't think it is library worthy.

    It felt just a little too dry. After I finished it I didn't have the slightest inclination to read it again.

    Honestly though, the depiction of their relationship is a lot like what my parents have told me of them when they were just getting married.

    It's good, but I don't think it's good enough.

    3/5
     
  4. Thaumologist

    Thaumologist Fifth Year ~ Prestige ~

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Messages:
    142
    Location:
    Wrexham, Wales
    High Score:
    2000
    I liked it, for all the fluff, it was a nice piece. Not sickly sweet, as can often be the case.

    I kinda get what the author's going at with it, but this feels almost like a reaction-fic: the author read some silly piece, Harry and Hermione fall madly in love, constantly have sex, and never let go of each other; and she thought 'but that's not how it HAS to happen!'.

    3.5/5, rounded to a 4.
     
  5. Mujaki

    Mujaki First Year

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2009
    Messages:
    44
    Location:
    Odessa, TX
    It's well-written, and very fluffy... a fic about a lack of romance reads quite nicely after all of the badly-written non!porn every other H/Hr story seems to be. Still, I could kind of see Ron's point - aside from the occasional moment of sweetness, they are pretty much the most boring couple in the world.

    This is rated A for effort.

    This is also rated M for meh.

    2.5/5... middle of the road, just like the couple in question.
     
  6. Andro

    Andro Master of Death DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2007
    Messages:
    3,947
    I'll give it a 2/5. I don't like fics written as anti-cliches.
     
  7. NoxedSalvation

    NoxedSalvation Temporarily Banhammered

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2010
    Messages:
    893
    Location:
    Germany
    It's not my cup of tea- much too short, not enough background and the circularity feels forced. I don't need tons of fluff or smoking sex in a romance story, but this attempt to write an antidote to the harmony genres most aggravating excesses overshoots and atrophies by ignoring the more passionate sides both characters show in canon whenever their buttons are pushed.

    2.5 rounded up to 3/5
     
  8. Lightfighter

    Lightfighter Third Year DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2009
    Messages:
    91
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Hmm, I'd have to agree with the general consensus here; in my opinion this fic goes too far the other way from the excesses of the most rabid "Harmony" fan. I don't really see the whole Harry/Hermione ship as placid as this story depicts it. Writing is technically sound and it's easy to read, I just disagree with basic premise.

    Therefore, 3/5.
     
  9. Lamora

    Lamora Definitely Not Batman ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2009
    Messages:
    116
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    New York
    High Score:
    1072
    Agree with Andro. The whole fic is them purposefully defying romance tropes for the sake of it. Meh. 3/5 because well-written fics are too rare.
     
  10. Sesc

    Sesc Slytherin at Heart Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2007
    Messages:
    6,216
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Blocksberg, Germany
    Huh. I think I'm forced to amend my opinion. I used to think H/Hr romance is impossible, now I realise it's possible if there simply is no romance involved. Halleluja.

    Yes, great piece. This is exactly what H/Hr would look like -- it's marrying your best friend, while remaining best friends. Safe, reliable, but most of all, boring. And now excuse me while I go find something that doesn't put me to sleep -- but congrats to the author in making this the first and only H/Hr I'll ever read.
     
  11. Zeitgeist

    Zeitgeist High Inquisitor

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    Messages:
    508
    Location:
    Under the Staircase
    This story is rather interesting, primarily because its very placidity is what makes the fic exciting. I disagree when people say it's fluffy; on the contrary, it was brisk and terse. However, H/Hr is one of those ships which appeals because it's a stable ship grounded in quiet friendship and mutual understanding. Yes, it lacks heat and probably could do better in the sexual chemistry department, but I could easily understand why it'd be a functional couple.

    The romance is understated, and the author was meticulous in picking the moments to depict. Her self-aware control is admirable, especially when HP is a fandom which can involve excess. By keeping a leash on the spectacular gestures, what the author has done is keep the characters IC.

    It is dated, though. The Tonks and Remus references reminded me that this wasn't a post-DH story, and that could bug some readers. Additionally, the writing was too dry and stiff at times, making it feel forced. I wasn't too fazed, though. The realism of the understated romance still hooked me.

    Was this story written specifically as an anti-cliche? Perhaps. I don't know. However, the authenticity of the character interactions kept me interested enough to re-read it again. And smile at that cutesy, almost saccharine ending.


    4/5
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2011
  12. Portus

    Portus Heir

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2008
    Messages:
    2,553
    Location:
    Music City
    For once I have to agree with Sesc, at least in principle. I quite liked it, but as others have said, it seemed pointedly and meticulously crafted to be almost completely boring and blah. To the point that it was overboard, really.

    For example, Hermione was quite happy to go to the Yule Ball with Krum and thought it was pretty romantic, even if she never said so in so many words. Also, she was pretty happy for both Fleur at the wedding and for Remus/Tonks as well, IIRC. So for her to have less-than-zero interest in her own wedding (I know it's not negative interest, but you get my drift) seems too far to that side, IMO.

    The telling inspiration for this fic is right there in the A/N, where the author says it's for her parents and their 30-year marriage. Sure, it's great to be in a comfortable marriage and be able to just *be* together, in the same room, without feeling the pressure to have a deep conversation (or any conversation at all), but that's generally only after a few years of can't-keep-your-hands-to-yourself and get-outta-those-clothes-baby FIRST.

    It's as if the author thought, "My parents are like comfy old roommates and they're still together, so that must be the right formula from the get-go."

    Still, I thought it was very well-done, and at least there was the mention of sex, making me think it's not a stodgy as it seems to come across. I can only see this kind of thing happening, though, where the girl/woman is not overly feminine and does not base any of her self-worth or self-image on her looks or other physical assets, but rather on accomplishments or intellect.

    That doesn't have to mean only Hermione, though, since I see Ginny as basing a lot of her self-confidence on things like Quidditch, and not being a pushover for her family.

    Anyway, I'm going to give this a 4.5/5 for the effort and the planning (and the pairing, let's be honest), rounded up to 5/5 for voting purposes.

    And fuck all you haters.
     
  13. Kensington

    Kensington Denarii Host DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2008
    Messages:
    1,356
    Location:
    West Coast
    I've read this previously, but beyond thinking "this was nice to read" I didn't think much of it. Upon further inspection, it is interesting to note that the author did do a pretty damn nifty job with the structure of the story. It never lags and the language is fairly tight. The story itself does read as if the author is trying a tad too hard to emphasize that Harry and Hermione aren't madly in love with one another.

    This story is on the bubble between 3 and 4 for me, and I'm going to have to round down to a 3. It is a nice quick read, but ultimately it is forgettable.

    3/5
     
  14. Mordecai

    Mordecai Drunken Scotsman –§ Prestigious §– DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2005
    Messages:
    559
    Location:
    Englandshire
    High Score:
    5,725
    A passable little one shot to glance through. Well written, nicely thought out. Not lively or anything, but it does manage to keep your attention.

    4/5
     
  15. Christinathewitch

    Christinathewitch Second Year

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2011
    Messages:
    60
    Location:
    Romania
    While it's refreshing to read a more credible H/Hr romance, there's nothing or almost nothing interesting in it.Maybe the first few times the anti-cliches replies were funny but then it got "This again?and again and again and...".Extremely boring since it's actually a single idea repeated over and over.
    I really don't see any reason for them to be together and about the end :
    Nicely written, completely wrong.
    Hmm, 3/5 since there's nothing really bothering me and the idea in itself is good.
     
  16. Mordecai

    Mordecai Drunken Scotsman –§ Prestigious §– DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2005
    Messages:
    559
    Location:
    Englandshire
    High Score:
    5,725
    What do you mean completely wrong? It came across to me as though she was defining her own sort of romanticism, so they weren't the least romantic couple at all.
     
  17. Christinathewitch

    Christinathewitch Second Year

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2011
    Messages:
    60
    Location:
    Romania
    Well, I think we can agree that this :
    is the conclusion to IX since the ones before don't have the slightest hint of romance and they are just anti-cliches.
    To me even IX seems a halfhearted attempt at writing a romantic scene without making it too sappy and Hermione believing that they are a romantic couple just because of that last phrase it's a bit pathetic. Maybe they are trying to have their own kind of romance but in the end it just doesn't seem like much of a romance to me. (I'm not talking about flowers and hearts but they just don't appear romantic. In the best case there's just a hint of it so the way the conclusion is written irks me a little.)
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2011
  18. Andro

    Andro Master of Death DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2007
    Messages:
    3,947
    They have a relationship every bit as dull as they are, but not romance as we think of it. The whole story is about making a retarded point. The only thing this story needs is a passage about how Harry and Hermione were burned too many times in their legit romances, so they settled for each other as safeties.
     
  19. Portus

    Portus Heir

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2008
    Messages:
    2,553
    Location:
    Music City
    @ christinathewitch:

    Protip: Try putting a space between your sentences. It's as simple as hitting the space bar with your thumb. Go ahead - try it now.
     
  20. Sesc

    Sesc Slytherin at Heart Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2007
    Messages:
    6,216
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Blocksberg, Germany
    Yes, because there isn't any. The story is consequent there. If Hermione and Harry ended up together, it'd look like this.

    And that is why you prefer other pairings :p
     
Loading...