The Relationship Between Readers and Young/New Adult Literature: How it is Guided, Formed, and Manipulated
Abstract
Existing scholarship showcases the power of young adult literature and its influence on readers, but few dive into how the narratives contained in some young adult romance novels can risk glorifying or normalizing unhealthy behaviors by portraying characters and romantic relationships in a way that can lead readers to sympathize with or make excuses for these abusive characters. When readers glorify or normalize unhealthy relationships, there is a potential to alter young/new adults’ perceptions of what a healthy romantic relationship looks like. For my thesis, I read popular novels within the Young/New adult categories: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (2016) and Haunting Adeline by H. D. Carlton (2021). I apply the concepts of paratext and genre expectations to these two novels to understand how both are utilized by book publishers, editors, marketers, as well as the author to guide readers into viewing the novels as romance novels. The concepts of narrative identity and narrative intimacy are possible outcomes of a reader’s relationship with literature. I find that both concepts show how readers take pieces of what they read to form their identity and create meaning. I argue that by reading literature, a close relationship or intimacy can be formed or established with the reader, and this relationship can have negative effects if readers form the opinion that the unhealthy representation of romantic relationships within are normal or to be desired. The novels’ depiction of abuse and abusive characters are written in a way that diminishes the horrors and effects of abuse. These distorted depictions can be internalized by the reader as normal and healthy examples of a romantic relationship. More care should be taken by authors, publishers, and book marketers about what novels and content contained are marketed towards young readers.
Start Time
16-4-2025 2:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 3:30 PM
Room Number
252
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
UG Orals
Presentation Category
Arts and Humanities
Faculty Mentor
Rachel Mazzara
The Relationship Between Readers and Young/New Adult Literature: How it is Guided, Formed, and Manipulated
252
Existing scholarship showcases the power of young adult literature and its influence on readers, but few dive into how the narratives contained in some young adult romance novels can risk glorifying or normalizing unhealthy behaviors by portraying characters and romantic relationships in a way that can lead readers to sympathize with or make excuses for these abusive characters. When readers glorify or normalize unhealthy relationships, there is a potential to alter young/new adults’ perceptions of what a healthy romantic relationship looks like. For my thesis, I read popular novels within the Young/New adult categories: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (2016) and Haunting Adeline by H. D. Carlton (2021). I apply the concepts of paratext and genre expectations to these two novels to understand how both are utilized by book publishers, editors, marketers, as well as the author to guide readers into viewing the novels as romance novels. The concepts of narrative identity and narrative intimacy are possible outcomes of a reader’s relationship with literature. I find that both concepts show how readers take pieces of what they read to form their identity and create meaning. I argue that by reading literature, a close relationship or intimacy can be formed or established with the reader, and this relationship can have negative effects if readers form the opinion that the unhealthy representation of romantic relationships within are normal or to be desired. The novels’ depiction of abuse and abusive characters are written in a way that diminishes the horrors and effects of abuse. These distorted depictions can be internalized by the reader as normal and healthy examples of a romantic relationship. More care should be taken by authors, publishers, and book marketers about what novels and content contained are marketed towards young readers.