Love Across the Atlantic: Us-UK Romance in Popular Culture

Winston Churchill's "special relationship" between the US and UK has been explored in popular culture, including romantic novels, films, TV shows, music, and politics. This collection examines the history, contemporary manifestations, and enduring appeal of US-UK romance across various mediums, offering a timely intervention into the popular romantic discourse of US-UK relations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Winston Churchill famously described the political alliance between the US and UK as a "special relationship," but throughout the cultural history of these two countries, there have existed transatlantic "special relationships" of another kind—affairs between British and American citizens who have fallen in love, with one another but often too with the idea of that other place across the ocean. From romantic novelist Elinor Glyn in the 1920s to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle today, this collection examines some of the history, contemporary manifestations, and enduring appeal of US-UK romance across popular culture. Looking at both historical and contemporary case-studies, drawn from across film, television, music, literature, news, and politics, this is a timely intervention into the popular romantic discourse of US-UK relations at a critical and transitional moment in the ongoing viability of the special relationship.

The cultural history of the US and UK is marked by a series of "special relationships" that have transcended political boundaries. These relationships have been forged through the love and affection between British and American citizens, often with a particular focus on the idea of the other place across the ocean. This collection explores the history, contemporary manifestations, and enduring appeal of US-UK romance across various forms of popular culture, including film, television, music, literature, news, and politics.

One of the earliest examples of a US-UK romance in popular culture is the novel "The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce. Published in 1916, the novel tells the story of a young Irishman named Stephen Dedalus who falls in love with a British woman named Nora Joyce. The novel explores the complexities of their relationship, including the cultural differences between Ireland and England, and the impact of World War I on their lives.

In the 1920s, the US-UK romance was further popularized by the work of romantic novelist Elinor Glyn. Glyn's novels, such as "Three Weeks" and "The Man and the Moment," were known for their explicit and sensual portrayals of love and romance. Her works often featured American women who were drawn to British men and vice versa, and they helped to establish the idea of the "American girl" in British popular culture.

During the Second World War, the US-UK romance was further strengthened by the presence of American soldiers in England. Many of these soldiers fell in love with British women, and their relationships were often portrayed in popular media, such as films and books. The war also led to a greater exchange of cultural ideas and values between the two countries, which helped to strengthen the special relationship.

In the post-war period, the US-UK romance continued to thrive. In the 1950s, the film "The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit" starred Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones and was a major hit in both the US and UK. The film explored the challenges of living in a post-war society and the difficulties of maintaining a long-distance relationship.

In the 1960s, the US-UK romance was further popularized by the Beatles. The band's music, which included songs like "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Yesterday," was a major hit in both the US and UK, and it helped to establish the idea of the "British Invasion" in American popular culture. The Beatles also toured the US and UK, and their performances were a major draw for fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

In the 1970s, the US-UK romance was further challenged by the rise of feminism. Many women in the US began to question the traditional gender roles that were associated with romance, and they began to seek out more egalitarian relationships. This led to a greater emphasis on the importance of communication and mutual respect in romantic relationships, and it helped to strengthen the special relationship.

In the 1980s, the US-UK romance was further popularized by the film "Pretty Woman." The film starred Julia Roberts as a prostitute who falls in love with a wealthy businessman, and it was a major hit in both the US and UK. The film explored the themes of class and gender inequality, and it helped to establish the idea of the "American Dream" in British popular culture.

In the 1990s, the US-UK romance was further challenged by the rise of globalization. As the world became more interconnected, it became easier for people to travel and work abroad, and this led to a greater exchange of cultural ideas and values between the two countries. This also led to a greater emphasis on the importance of cultural diversity in romantic relationships, and it helped to strengthen the special relationship.

In the 2000s, the US-UK romance was further popularized by the film "The Proposal." The film starred Sandra Bullock as a Canadian woman who falls in love with a British man, and it was a major hit in both the US and UK. The film explored the themes of immigration and cultural identity, and it helped to establish the idea of the "American Dream" in British popular culture.

In the 2010s, the US-UK romance was further popularized by the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The wedding was a major event in both the US and UK, and it helped to establish the idea of the "American Princess" in British popular culture. The wedding also highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion in romantic relationships, and it helped to strengthen the special relationship.

Despite the many challenges that have faced the US-UK romance over the years, it has remained a popular and enduring aspect of popular culture. This is due in part to the cultural similarities between the two countries, as well as the shared history and values that have been passed down through generations.

One of the key aspects of the US-UK romance is the emphasis on the importance of communication and mutual respect. British and American citizens have a reputation for being direct and honest in their communication, and this has helped to establish a strong foundation for romantic relationships. This has also been reflected in the popular media, with many films and books featuring characters who communicate openly and honestly with one another.

Another key aspect of the US-UK romance is the emphasis on the importance of cultural diversity. British and American cultures are very different, and this has led to a greater exchange of cultural ideas and values between the two countries. This has helped to create a more diverse and inclusive society, and it has also helped to strengthen the special relationship.

However, the US-UK romance has also faced its share of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the issue of immigration. Many British citizens have immigrated to the US in search of a better life, and this has led to a greater cultural diversity in the US. This has also led to some tensions between British and American citizens, particularly in the context of the Brexit debate.

Another challenge is the issue of gender inequality. Women in the US have made significant strides in recent years in terms of gender equality, but there are still significant challenges that remain. This has led to a greater emphasis on the importance of communication and mutual respect in romantic relationships, and it has also helped to strengthen the special relationship.

Despite these challenges, the US-UK romance has remained a popular and enduring aspect of popular culture. This is due in part to the cultural similarities between the two countries, as well as the shared history and values that have been passed down through generations.

In conclusion, the cultural history of the US and UK is marked by a series of "special relationships" that have transcended political boundaries. These relationships have been forged through the love and affection between British and American citizens, often with a particular focus on the idea of the other place across the ocean. This collection explores the history, contemporary manifestations, and enduring appeal of US-UK romance across various forms of popular culture, and it is a timely intervention into the popular romantic discourse of US-UK relations at a critical and transitional moment in the ongoing viability of the special relationship.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 155 x 232 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474452083