Admiral David Dixon Porter was one of the Union's most successful naval commanders during the American Civil War. After an excellent combat record, he served as Superintendent of the US Naval Academy and, in retirement, wrote his memoirs of the war and a naval history of it.
At Emerging Civil War, historian Neil Chatelain informs us that Porter also wrote fiction, including two romance novels. These he titled Allan Dare and Robert le Diable and Arthur Merton, a Romance.
Chatelain's wife, Brittany, promised to read one of these novels if he ever found one in print. Chatelain found a copy of Allan Dare and Robert le Diable. She was underwhelmed when her husband interviewed her about the experience:
How does Porter’s writing style compare with romance writers today?
Brittany: It’s actually interesting. He writes men in a way women might want to read about men physically, but the men are mostly focused on being strong. So, they have no real personality. Women are described as just vapid and materialistic and physically they all have small feet, which is apparently what men desired in the 19th century. Few of the women were very strong in character. All of this is in direct contrast to modern romance novels where women have a large depth of character, which highlights the difference between a female author and a male author writing a romance.
[…]
What was the best part of the book?
Brittany: None of it was particularly enjoyable.
What did you not enjoy about the book?
Brittany: The entire book. I would say more, but it would spoil the plot for any potential readers.
Would you recommend other romance novel readers take a chance with Admiral David Dixon Porter’s writings?
Brittany: Absolutely not.
She concludes by giving the novel a rating of two out of five stars.
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