“One of the most popular forms of women’s literature today is the romance novel. More often than not, they are written with female sensibilities in mind mainly from the point of view of women. The romance novel industry is a largely female-driven medium, significant for its focus on the aspects of life that women consider important. Our responses to social conventions in a fundamentally patriarchal society can be heard in our writing. Academicians have argued that the novels themselves are marketed towards audiences consisting of “bored housewives””
Romance novels have often, as she states, been viewed by some as reading for “bored housewives”. For this paper I want you to pick a Romance Novel to review.
This is a 5-6 page paper where in the first half you will be writing a traditional book review, addressing main points/themes etc., and then in the remainder of the paper doing your own further analysis. When analyzing your book please consider questions such as: Why is this book aimed at women? Why do women like this? What assumptions about gender are made? What appeals to women? Why? Also, please consider issues such as romance/relationships, action/adventure, female gaze vs. male gaze, and issues of sexuality, race and class.. Please use at least one scholarly article to support your argument.
Here are some examples of books to choose from. If you have another romance novel you want to use that is fine too (WRITER CAN CHOOSE A ROMANCE NOVEL THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH IF THEY HAVEN’T READ ANY OF THE BELOW ONES). I know Fifty Shades of Grey is really popular right now, you are welcome to use that book (or any in the series) too!
ROMANCE: (Examples by Author)
Book Author
Sarah’s Child Linda Howard
Amber Beach Elizabeth Lowell (a.k.a. Ann Maxwell)
Trust Me Jayne Ann Krentz
Surrender Amanda Quick (a.k.a. Jayne Ann Krentz)
Lady Savage Shirlee Busbee
A Kiss of Fate Mary Jo Putney
Royal Seduction Jennifer Blake
The Flame and the Flower Katherine Woodiwiss
Sweet Savage Love Rosemary Rogers
Dark Prince Christine Feehan (Supernatural)
Outlander Dianan Gabaldon (Time Travel)
Born in Fire Nora Roberts
Born in Ice Nora Roberts
Born in Shame Nora Roberts
Twilight (Series) Stephanie Meyer
Any book Danielle Steele
