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Cover of Still Reading Romance

Still Reading Romance

by Josefine Smith

Book Details

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Published:2025-04-01
Pages:425
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

In a world that commodifies feminism, is adapting romance novels for small and big screen projects, and the Romance Writers Association is evolving to a more inclusive representative group, it is imperative for researchers to reevaluate the cultural assumptions and gender norming work happening in the romance genre. It is time to question the cultural capital of traditional archetypes, explore the experience of romance readers, and question how romance and cultural studies researchers create qua

Our Review

This timely academic examination dives deep into the modern romance genre, questioning its cultural assumptions and the gender norms it perpetuates at a pivotal moment. As romance novels are increasingly adapted for the screen and the industry pushes for greater inclusivity, this book argues for a critical reevaluation of the genre's foundational archetypes. It positions itself as an essential text for understanding the evolving cultural capital of romance, moving beyond surface-level critiques to explore the actual experiences of its readers.

The book's strength lies in its direct challenge to how researchers themselves study and create knowledge about romance, making it a vital read for students of cultural and gender studies. It speaks directly to anyone who has ever felt the need to defend their reading choices, offering a scholarly framework that validates the genre's complexity and its readers' intelligence. This is a compelling, necessary read that reframes the conversation around romance fiction and its significant place in our cultural landscape.

Themes

Literary Criticism

Subjects

Literary Criticism