Romance is a varied and fluid literary genre, notoriously difficult to define. This groundbreaking Companion surveys the many permutations of romance throughout the ages.

* Considers the literary and historical development of the romance genre from its classical origins to the present day

* Incorporates discussion of the changing readership of romance and of romance's special relation to women readers

* Comprises 30 essays written by leading authorities on different periods and sub-genres

* Challenges the idea that the appeal of romance is exclusively escapist

* Draws on a wide range of specific and influential literary examples