Overview of It's Been a Minute — "Yes, romance is political too."
This episode of NPR’s It’s Been a Minute (host Brittany Luce) examines the rise of the romance+fantasy subgenre—often called romantasy or romantic fantasy—and the culture wars, politics, and reader communities that have grown up around it. Guests Netta Baker (English instructor, Virginia Tech) and Princess Weeks (online pop-culture critic/video essayist) discuss what the genre is, why it’s booming, common criticisms (including claims it reinforces conservative/traditional gender norms), and how to critique it without dismissing readers.
Key points and takeaways
- Definition: Romantasy = a blend of romance and fantasy (a rebranding of “fantasy romance” popularized in trade marketing around books like Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses).
- Market growth: Bloomberg estimates romantasy/romance-fantasy sales rose from about $450M to over $600M in 2024—one of the fastest growing book categories.
- Reader function: Many readers use these books to explore feelings—especially feminine anger/frustration—toward misogyny, and to imagine emotionally supportive partners who affirm women’s power.
- Political readings vary: Some titles stage anti-authoritarian or anti-fascist arcs; others are read as (or accused of being) reinforcing patriarchal, heteronormative, imperialist, or orientalist tropes.
- Two readerships: Longtime readers versus algorithm-driven readers who pursue specific tropes; the latter sometimes resist critical readings that interrupt “fun.”
- Historic pattern: Anxiety about women’s reading choices repeats long-standing moral panics (18th–19th century concerns over romance novels).
- Productive critique: Take the books seriously, be specific about which tropes or politics are problematic, and separate moralizing about readers from textual critique.
Topics discussed
- Origins and marketing of the genre (Bloomsbury/2015 / Sarah J. Maas influence).
- Examples of popular titles (ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, Ice Planet Barbarians).
- Specific criticisms:
- Reinforcement of tradwife/heteronormative dynamics (female leads saved or subsumed by more powerful males).
- Imperialist or racist imagery embedded in fantasy tropes (e.g., maps/readings of ACOTAR as echoing UK/Ireland dynamics; orientalist depictions in “monster” or alien romances).
- Politics inside the books:
- Some narratives explicitly critique authoritarianism and patriarchy; others replace one hierarchy with another and may normalize problematic post-conflict orders.
- Reader communities and emotional labor:
- Fans emphasize emotional care, consent, supportiveness of love interests; these qualities explain part of the genre’s appeal.
Notable quotes and insights
- “Seeing yourself be loved is one of the most radical things that can happen to people.” — Netta Baker
- “We are putting a microscope into women's bookshelves. But women are still people and it can also reinforce patriarchy.” — Princess Weeks
- “You enjoying the text doesn't say anything about your virtue… what matters is individual interpretations and then understanding each other's interpretations and validating those.” — Netta Baker (paraphrase)
Examples and recommendations from the episode
- Mentioned popular titles/phenomena:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (Sarah J. Maas) — often central to debates about power dynamics and “tradwife” readings.
- Fourth Wing — example of contemporary romantasy (war/dragon riders).
- Ice Planet Barbarians — cited as an enjoyable but potentially orientalist “monster romance.”
- Guest recommendations:
- Princess Weeks: The Divine Rivals (Rebecca Ross) — YA duology; rival correspondents, enchanted typewriters, war backdrop; praised for character journeys and blending romance with broader stakes.
- Netta Baker: King of Battle and Blood & Queen of Myth and Monsters (Scarlett St. Clair) — indie duology by a Muscogee author; themes of sacrifice, dark magic, feminine rage, and rediscovering love.
How to read and critique romantasy (practical guidance)
- Take the genre seriously—don’t dismiss it as merely frivolous escapism.
- Be specific when critiquing: identify which tropes, plot choices, or world-building elements reproduce harmful hierarchies or racialized ideas.
- Distinguish readers’ emotional investment from an endorsement of problematic themes; critique texts, not fans.
- Open conversations that validate differing interpretations rather than shutting down discussion.
- Consider historical and cultural contexts of fantasy tropes (maps, court systems, “othering” monsters) to spot accidental reproductions of real-world prejudices.
Who’s in the conversation
- Host: Brittany Luce (It’s Been a Minute, NPR)
- Guests:
- Netta Baker — advanced instructor, Department of English, Virginia Tech.
- Princess Weeks — online pop culture critic and video essayist.
Bottom line
Romantasy’s popularity reflects real emotional needs—representation of caring partners, exploration of feminine rage, and fantasy spaces to imagine alternatives to oppressive systems. But its rapid growth also invites legitimate criticism about embedded power structures, racialized tropes, and how fantasy sometimes rebrands familiar hierarchies. Productive engagement means close, specific readings that respect readers while calling out problematic elements.