Philosopher: Romance novels put women's desire back at the center of the story

Romance novels, frequently dismissed as glorifying toxic fantasies and power imbalances, actually empower women to explore their desires and reclaim agency, according to philosopher Christine van Geen.

In her book, 'Love Stories: Why Romance Novels Do Us Good,' Van Geen, a philosophy professor at Rennes, asserts that the genre allows women to delve into their own wants and take charge of their lives. She contends that these narratives, often criticized, serve a valuable purpose in centering female desire within storytelling.

Van Geen's perspective challenges the common criticisms leveled against romance fiction, suggesting that its exploration of female longing and relationships offers a space for women to assert control and understand themselves better. The article from Le Temps frames her argument as a defense of a genre often misunderstood.