roxanamalinachirila's review
4.0
An interesting book, really worth reading, even though the study is done on a relatively small number of women, and despite the fact that you can feel the way Janice Radway looks down on her subjects.
Otherwise, it contains a number of really neat things, such as the ordinary structure of the romance, the effect of romance novels on women's lives, considerations on escapism... Quite interesting, quite fun.
Otherwise, it contains a number of really neat things, such as the ordinary structure of the romance, the effect of romance novels on women's lives, considerations on escapism... Quite interesting, quite fun.
jobinsonlis's review
3.0
Extremely dated and obnoxiously Freudian, but still an interesting reader survey analysis on a controversial genre.
enemieseverywhere's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Very narrow in scope, as Radway admits, and maybe overreliant on a Freudian interpretation of the mother-daughter relationship. Additionally, things have changed quite a bit in the forty years since this was first published. But this is a groundbreaking, significant, excellent study of mass-market romance— one which was comprehensible even by a reader with zero knowledge of critical theory (me).
Radway unpacks the ways commercial romance fiction simultaneously reinforces patriarchal norms in heterosexual relationships, and helps women to resist and survive under their pressures. She takes a cool and clear-headed look at the complex strategic decisions made by romance authors with regards to their use of language and narrative structures, and how these decisions support (or accidentally undermine) the desired outcome in their readers— temporary catharsis, followed by an almost immediate hunger for more. Fascinating stuff.
Radway unpacks the ways commercial romance fiction simultaneously reinforces patriarchal norms in heterosexual relationships, and helps women to resist and survive under their pressures. She takes a cool and clear-headed look at the complex strategic decisions made by romance authors with regards to their use of language and narrative structures, and how these decisions support (or accidentally undermine) the desired outcome in their readers— temporary catharsis, followed by an almost immediate hunger for more. Fascinating stuff.
seahorsemojinow's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! I read it for class and my discussion partner and I agree that it could have benefited from a more explicit discussion of 'trauma' and what it means to be traumatized.
lizabethstucker's review
2.0
Subtitled "Women, Patriarchy, and Popular Literature".
I found the book interesting, but there was an undercurrent of snobbishness. The author "tries" to be "fair and understanding" to romance books and readers. However, the underlying theme I got from this study was "I only read these books for my thesis, I would NEVER personally enjoy them!" which is a great pity. This is a book that is interesting to read for the background and analysis contained within.
I found the book interesting, but there was an undercurrent of snobbishness. The author "tries" to be "fair and understanding" to romance books and readers. However, the underlying theme I got from this study was "I only read these books for my thesis, I would NEVER personally enjoy them!" which is a great pity. This is a book that is interesting to read for the background and analysis contained within.
a_lovesbooks's review
3.0
Let's just begin with the often mentioned phrase that this book is outdated. It certainly is. Or at least I definitely hope so. What I found striking is that I didn't find it very critical. The conclusion seemed to be the most critical part of the book. I would have preferred more criticism throughout the individual chapters. Also, I kept waiting for a more general approach to the whole topic. The inclusion of the Smithon women was alright, but not enough in my opinion. What is a romance? I stil ldon't know. I wasn't expecting a clear-cut definition, no, but more than I was given. In the part where the narrative was examined I was almost appaled at the lack of criticism; women reading (and enjoying!) men treating them badly, but then finding out the man only did it because he didn't know how to show his love? Maybe it's my contemporary view of things, but that almost made me sick. to be honest, I am not quite sure if I have ever read a true "romance". I am fairly certain to have read romantiv novels, but romances? Not sure. All in all the book was rather imformative and I will read one of the mentioned romances just to hopefully what the whole fuss is about. I am quite curious as to how studies nowadays differ from this one. Has anything changed, and if so, what? Are romances nowadays still as fomulaic as they were in the laste 70s and early 80s? Do they still subtly preach the same gender stereotypes and patriarchal power? It's a really interesting topic, I think.
emilycait's review
Can't really give a star rating for this. I didn't enjoy reading this, but I found the information in it very helpful in terms of thinking about genre.