Introduction. Feminism, rape law and romance fiction -- Section I. Enduring stabilities -- Chapter 1. Consent and intent : gendering subjectivity in rape law -- Chapter 2. Desire and love : gendering subjectivity in Harlequin Mills and Boon fiction -- Section II. The fortitude of heroines -- Chapter 3. Victims and the dis/qualification of rape complainants -- Chapter 4. Heroines and the in/security of romance readers -- Section III. Fear and hope -- Chapter 5. False complain(an)ts and other legal fictions -- Chapter 6. Prefered readers and other romances -- Conclusion. Compelling engagements
Summary
Analyses the gendered subjects of rape law and romance fiction and through readings of Australian rape cases, Harlequin Mills and Boon romances and the gendered subjects they produce, this book brings fresh insight into the scripts of gender and exchange that underpin these texts and women's engagement with them