Despite pioneering studies, the term 'romance novel' itself has not been subjected to scrutiny. This book examines mass-market romance fiction in the U.K., Canada, and the U.S. through four categories: capitalism, war, heterosexuality, and white Protestantism and casts a fresh light on the genre.
Making Meaning in Popular Romance Fiction: An Epistemology
Introduction: What Does It Mean to Say 'Romance Novel'? 1. Capitalism: Money and Means in Romance Novels 2. War: Patriotism and the Traumatized Romance Novel Hero 3. Heterosexuality: Negotiating Normative Romance Novel Desire 4. White Protestantism: Race and Religious Ethos in Romance Novels Conclusion: The Next Chapter for Romance Novels