Critics at Large | The New Yorker
Episode: How Romantasy Seduces Its Readers
Release Date: February 13, 2025

Introduction to Romantasy

In this episode of Critics at Large, hosts Alex Schwartz, Nomi Fry, and Vinson Cunningham delve into the burgeoning literary genre known as Romantasy—a fusion of romance and fantasy. Introduced by their colleague and expert Katie Waldman, the trio explores why Romantasy has not only carved out a significant niche but has also become a global phenomenon.

Romantasy Popularity and Statistics

The discussion kicks off with staggering statistics highlighting the genre's explosive growth:

• Nomi Fry points out, "Last year, apparently five of the ten top-selling adult books were written by the two biggest Romantasy writers, Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros" (02:00).

• Alex Schwartz shares an impressive sales figure: "The number is 2.7 million million million. That is the number of copies that the latest book by Rebecca Yarros, which came out last month, sold in its first week" (02:19).

• Vinson Cunningham adds, "Print sales of romance novels more than doubled between 2020 and 2023. Not only huge, but on the rise" (02:45).

These numbers underscore Romantasy's significant impact on the literary market, positioning it as a dominant force in contemporary fiction.

Key Romantasy Works Discussed

The hosts and their guest Katie Waldman examine pivotal titles shaping the Romantasy landscape:

1. "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas

   • Alex Schwartz provides a detailed synopsis, noting, "Feyre...is taken by a High Fay, Tamlin. And it soon becomes apparent both that not as all well, in his kingdom there is a blight" (09:07).
   • The trope of enemies to lovers is highlighted as a cornerstone of the genre: "These two enemies might become lovers. And enemies to lovers. Major Romantasy trope" (11:45).

2. "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros

   • Vinson Cunningham outlines the plot, mentioning, "Violet Sorengale...is a warrior...her mother...says...Sorengales are warriors. We are riders. Riders, that is, of dragons" (19:48).
   • The interplay between contemporary diction and fantasy elements is discussed, such as, "there's a lot like double standard for the win, like stuff like that" (20:58).

3. "Crave" by Tracy Wolf

   • Nomi Fry describes the storyline: "Grace falls in love with this very mysterious, extremely hunky, you. Strong of jaw...it turns out Jackson is a vampire" (28:05).

Listener Reactions and Voicemails

Listeners contribute personal insights, enhancing the discussion:

• Katie Waldman shares her rekindled love for reading through Romantasy, stating, "I couldn't put it down" (15:03).

• Mel, a listener, emphasizes the empowering nature of the genre: "Women should be allowed to want strength and pleasure for themselves" (16:16).

• Ella from New Zealand highlights the community aspect: "There are Reddit pages, there's TikTok and being part of a community again" (27:01).

Social Media and Community Influence

The episode delves into how platforms like TikTok (BookTok) fuel Romantasy's popularity:

• Katie Waldman explains, "TikTok is such a resource for me because this is where readers are telling me exactly what they want to read" (32:31).

• The specificity of tropes is analyzed: "The way that a reader by very specific pleasure points... feels like customization" (34:28).

The interactive nature of social media not only promotes these books but also allows readers to shape the genre actively.

Critical Perspectives and Analysis

The hosts offer a nuanced critique of Romantasy:

• Nomi Fry voices concern over the genre's formulaic nature: "This is what AI should be for in just this, right?" suggesting that Romantasy may lack literary depth (35:19).

• Alex Schwartz counters by recognizing the genre's appeal as a form of escapism and empowerment: "There's a legitimate sense of lacking in the society that some of these fantasies can fill" (41:05).

• Vinson Cunningham connects Romantasy to broader cultural phenomena, comparing its rise to the enduring legacy of Game of Thrones: "Game of Thrones is absolutely the other crucial thing" (44:02).

Conclusion and Future Implications

Wrapping up, the hosts synthesize their discussion on Romantasy's surge:

• The genre serves as a comfort zone, leveraging familiar tropes to provide solace in times of societal uncertainty and personal vulnerability.

• Nomi Fry reflects on the communal aspect: "There's something beautiful" about readers uniting over shared narratives (27:39).

• The episode concludes with an acknowledgment of Romantasy's dual role as both a literary escape and a mirror to contemporary anxieties, pondering its future trajectory within the literary canon.

Notable Quotes:

• “This is what AI should be for in just this, right? Like, if you want a book that's about, like, all of these, like, highly, highly specific, like, fan service things, then, yeah, just go to ChatGPT.”
  — Nomi Fry (35:19)

• “These books are about bolstering self-esteem and providing validation and sort of like bringing you deeper into yourself and feeling affirmed.”
  — Katie Waldman (34:28)

• “Romantasy is speaking to some of that, but also making it cozy.”
  — Alex Schwartz (45:42)

This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Romantasy, examining its rise through sales metrics, thematic elements, and cultural resonance. By integrating listener perspectives and critical analysis, Critics at Large offers an insightful look into why Romantasy captivates millions worldwide.