Bonkbuster Explained

Bonkbuster (a play on "blockbuster" and the verb "to bonk") is a term coined in 1989 by British writer Sue Limb to describe a subgenre of commercial romance novels in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as their subsequent miniseries adaptations.^{[1] [2] [3]} They have also been referred to as sex 'n' shopping or shopping and fucking novels (S&F).^[4]

Genre history

Although the term has been used generally to describe "bodice-rippers" such as Forever Amber (1944) by Kathleen Winsor,^[5] as well as Valley of the Dolls (1966) and the novels of Jacqueline Susann^{[6] [7]} and Harold Robbins,^[8] it is specifically associated with the novels of Judith Krantz, Jackie Collins, Shirley Conran, and Jilly Cooper, known for their glamorous, financially independent female protagonists and salacious storylines.^[9] Many of these novels were adapted in the 1980s into glossy, big-budget miniseries, reminiscent of primetime soaps of the time, such as Dallas, Knots Landing and Dynasty.

Examples

• Scruples (1978) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1980 miniseries
• Princess Daisy (1980) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1983 miniseries
• Bare Essence (1980) by Meredith Rich, adapted as a TV series
• Chances (1981) and Lucky (1985) by Jackie Collins, adapted as a 1990 miniseries
• Lace (1982) by Shirley Conran, adapted as a 1984 miniseries
• Sins (1982) by Judith Gould, adapted as a 1986 miniseries
• Mistral's Daughter (1982) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1984 miniseries
• Crossings (1982) by Danielle Steel, adapted as a 1986 miniseries
• Hollywood Wives (1983) by Jackie Collins, adapted as a 1985 miniseries
• Queenie (1985) by Michael Korda, adapted as a 1987 miniseries
• Return to Eden (1985), novelised by Rosalind Miles
• I'll Take Manhattan (1986) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1987 miniseries
• Till We Meet Again (1988) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1989 miniseries
• Dazzle (1990) by Judith Krantz, adapted as a 1995 miniseries
• Lady Boss (1990) by Jackie Collins, adapted as a 1992 miniseries
• Torch Song (1993) by Judith Krantz

Notes and References

1. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/06/18/nbonk18.xml The Telegraph, 18 February 2002
2. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/18/1023864428399.html Sydney Morning Herald, 19 June 2002
3. Web site: Bonk word that bust convention. June 18, 2002. the Guardian.
4. Web site: sex'n'shopping novel. Oxford Reference.
5. Web site: Observer review: Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor. July 27, 2002. the Guardian.
6. Web site: Sex in the suburbs: a history of the bonkbuster in six books. July 28, 2012. the Guardian.
7. Web site: Media Circus. Chris. Haines. October 1, 1997. Salon.
8. News: Harold Robbins's cocaine-fuelled bonkbusters sold 750 million copies — and they're far better than Fifty Shades. Anthony. Cummins. The Telegraph . May 21, 2016. www.telegraph.co.uk.
9. Web site: How the bonkbuster novel came to define a generation. August 17, 2019. The Independent.