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I Love Romcoms and I am a Feminist: A manifesto in 100 romcoms
A fearlessly feminist guide to 100 romantic comedies through the ages. Discover the hidden feminist messages in your favourite movies. You can love romcoms and be a feminist!
We all love romcoms. They keep us on the edge of our seats, waiting for the two leads to fall madly in love. But what you may not realise is that they often contain profound feminist messages that have the power to re-shape how we think about sexism and women’s rights.
In this fascinating guide, film journalist and Bechdel Test Fest founder Corrina Antrobus reveals how romcoms reflect feminism in the modern age. These iconic, groundbreaking movies have shone a spotlight or shifted narratives on topics from body positivity to abortion and from faking orgasms to workplace equality.
Antrobus discusses all the best feminist moments, big and small, in romcoms through the ages,
When Harry Met Sally, which broke taboos around faking orgasms 10 Things I Hate About You, which embraced female rebellion Mamma Mia!, which sang in the face of slut shaming My Best Friend's Wedding, which showed us it’s OK to be irrational Clueless, which proved women can be fashionable, feminine and feminist! Bridesmaids, which brought female-powered comedy to the forefront of Hollywood
So, what are you waiting for?! Arm yourself with this stylish guide to the best feelgood movies that have taught a generation of women and girls all about love, humour and identity. Each page includes recommendations for similar films, making it the perfect companion for anyone in love with romcoms and longing for more.
We all love romcoms. They keep us on the edge of our seats, waiting for the two leads to fall madly in love. But what you may not realise is that they often contain profound feminist messages that have the power to re-shape how we think about sexism and women’s rights.
In this fascinating guide, film journalist and Bechdel Test Fest founder Corrina Antrobus reveals how romcoms reflect feminism in the modern age. These iconic, groundbreaking movies have shone a spotlight or shifted narratives on topics from body positivity to abortion and from faking orgasms to workplace equality.
Antrobus discusses all the best feminist moments, big and small, in romcoms through the ages,
When Harry Met Sally, which broke taboos around faking orgasms 10 Things I Hate About You, which embraced female rebellion Mamma Mia!, which sang in the face of slut shaming My Best Friend's Wedding, which showed us it’s OK to be irrational Clueless, which proved women can be fashionable, feminine and feminist! Bridesmaids, which brought female-powered comedy to the forefront of Hollywood
So, what are you waiting for?! Arm yourself with this stylish guide to the best feelgood movies that have taught a generation of women and girls all about love, humour and identity. Each page includes recommendations for similar films, making it the perfect companion for anyone in love with romcoms and longing for more.
- GenresNonfictionAdultFeminism
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2024
12 people are currently reading
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August 5, 2024⇢ no rate bc i don’t know exactly how to rate something like this.
I wouldn't usually say that romcoms are my go-to, but some of the movies in this book are actually my favorites. Honestly, I can't even remember the last time I had the patience to sit through an entire movie.
This book is a collection of romcom summaries viewed through a feminist perspective, featuring 100 movies in chronological order. Each movie comes with three additional recommendations, making it an incredibly comprehensive list. It starts with the earliest classics, many of which I was unfamiliar with, only knew by name or cast, or had watched and loved. The newer selections include many lesser-known films that highlight minorities and diverse cultures, which were mostly new to me as well.
What I loved most was the organization: engaging illustrations, quick plot summaries, and insightful lessons we can learn from each movie. The range from the '20s to the present day was impressive, and the inclusion of diverse picks was a great touch. The vibrant and colorful art style also added to the appeal.
Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, for providing me with an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I wouldn't usually say that romcoms are my go-to, but some of the movies in this book are actually my favorites. Honestly, I can't even remember the last time I had the patience to sit through an entire movie.
This book is a collection of romcom summaries viewed through a feminist perspective, featuring 100 movies in chronological order. Each movie comes with three additional recommendations, making it an incredibly comprehensive list. It starts with the earliest classics, many of which I was unfamiliar with, only knew by name or cast, or had watched and loved. The newer selections include many lesser-known films that highlight minorities and diverse cultures, which were mostly new to me as well.
What I loved most was the organization: engaging illustrations, quick plot summaries, and insightful lessons we can learn from each movie. The range from the '20s to the present day was impressive, and the inclusion of diverse picks was a great touch. The vibrant and colorful art style also added to the appeal.
Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, for providing me with an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 12, 2024
Big Thank You to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with an advanced copy
'I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist: A Manifesto in 100 Romcoms' is a book full of movies that give the free-of-guilt card to all of us who are feminists but feel like hiding a dirty little secret by enjoying rom-coms.
Written by a film reviewer (who provided the text with that delightful and poignant tone that the movie reviewers take up) who knows how to make the connection between fun rom-coms and women's rights.
Full of colorful and fun drawings of the movies, the book provides a lot of movies for one to check out if they haven't already, but it's also nice to read about the all time favs as well.
I would have loved however if at the movie info, the main actors and actresses were provided as a list. (the author does provide some names in the main text though).
'I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist: A Manifesto in 100 Romcoms' is a book full of movies that give the free-of-guilt card to all of us who are feminists but feel like hiding a dirty little secret by enjoying rom-coms.
Written by a film reviewer (who provided the text with that delightful and poignant tone that the movie reviewers take up) who knows how to make the connection between fun rom-coms and women's rights.
Full of colorful and fun drawings of the movies, the book provides a lot of movies for one to check out if they haven't already, but it's also nice to read about the all time favs as well.
I would have loved however if at the movie info, the main actors and actresses were provided as a list. (the author does provide some names in the main text though).
June 29, 2024
I was lucky to receive an ARC for this book through NetGalley!
I love romcoms. I am a feminist. And I adored this book!
This is one of those books that I will absolutely be purchasing my own physical copy of when it gets released. Not only is the cover stunning (which makes it a PERFECT coffee table book), but I loved the content so much.
As a self identified hopeless romantic who also doesn’t want to blindly support a genre that I fear often prioritizes a woman’s role as “solely a wife”, this book gave me so much perspective on what romcoms can mean for women underneath the facade of the “happily ever after”. These movies have taught us how to find comfort in ourselves, our friendships, and our passions - not JUST our romantic pursuits. There is nothing wrong with being a feminist and also loving romcoms, and this book made me feel validated in my ability to do both.
I love romcoms. I am a feminist. And I adored this book!
This is one of those books that I will absolutely be purchasing my own physical copy of when it gets released. Not only is the cover stunning (which makes it a PERFECT coffee table book), but I loved the content so much.
As a self identified hopeless romantic who also doesn’t want to blindly support a genre that I fear often prioritizes a woman’s role as “solely a wife”, this book gave me so much perspective on what romcoms can mean for women underneath the facade of the “happily ever after”. These movies have taught us how to find comfort in ourselves, our friendships, and our passions - not JUST our romantic pursuits. There is nothing wrong with being a feminist and also loving romcoms, and this book made me feel validated in my ability to do both.
November 24, 2024
Such a fabulous book! I loved reading about all the movies; there are so many interesting ones I want to watch and old ones I want to re-watch. However, to be perfectly honest, I'm not a big fan of the artwork when it comes to the book.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
January 11, 2025
I should never be stuck about what to watch ever again!
July 21, 2024
This book perfectly sums up the reason why I love romcoms so much, featuring short but eloquent synopses of films from the 1920's to present day. I really appreciated how the book also features commentary on intersectionality and the importance of intersectional feminism in the modern day, both discussing how romcoms have been partly central in the progression of widening acceptability but also highlighting the deficiencies of some films and the progress that still needs to be made.
One quote that particularly stood out to me was: "It's demeaning to think how the only genre that routinely centres the lives of women suffers from being dismissed as derogative fluff...".
Thank you to White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book!
One quote that particularly stood out to me was: "It's demeaning to think how the only genre that routinely centres the lives of women suffers from being dismissed as derogative fluff...".
Thank you to White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book!
June 23, 2024
I am a rom-com girlie at heart, I spent most of my teens watching these movies and as an adult I’ve found myself falling back in love with them. I really enjoyed how this book was laid out, it was easy to understand, the drawings were cute and it was inclusive and highlighted rom coms that weren’t strictly about heterosexual white relationships. I can see this making a brilliant gift for someone who loves their movies or for a young feminist trying to find and understand themselves in the grand scheme of life. A joyous read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #ILoveRomcomsAndIAmAFeminist #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #ILoveRomcomsAndIAmAFeminist #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 24, 2024
A great gift for the romcom-lover in your life (even if that’s yourself!). 4/5 stars.
This review was originally posted on my book blog
I always wish I read more non-fiction and I love a good romcom movie. So when I saw this book on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read it.
Romantic comedy as a genre is often seen as anti-feminist. And if you see these stories as solely being about women who only become complete people when they find a man to love them, then you’d be right. However, this book demonstrates there is so much more to the romcom, with 100 examples to make its point: there is a great deal of feminism in these stories if you know where to find it.
It’s a great book to dip in and out of. There’s a page of text about each of the 100 movies set next to its own illustration. The pictures are an important element of the book and their colourful, quirky style suits the spirit of the work.
The chosen movies range from some made in the 1920s right up to 2023’s smash hit Barbie. As well as ranging over a century of cinema, the feminism here is laudably intersectional: the movies selected include romances which centre women of colour and LGBTQ+ stories. Readers will surely come away with a watch list of movies to further their existing romcom knowledge.
The only downside for me was having to read this in an electronic format. It was fiddly and didn’t do the layout or illustrations justice. This is definitely a book to enjoy in a physical format.
Overall: a great read for anyone who loves romcom movies. Just make sure you get the hardback or paperback version.
This review was originally posted on my book blog
I always wish I read more non-fiction and I love a good romcom movie. So when I saw this book on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read it.
Romantic comedy as a genre is often seen as anti-feminist. And if you see these stories as solely being about women who only become complete people when they find a man to love them, then you’d be right. However, this book demonstrates there is so much more to the romcom, with 100 examples to make its point: there is a great deal of feminism in these stories if you know where to find it.
It’s a great book to dip in and out of. There’s a page of text about each of the 100 movies set next to its own illustration. The pictures are an important element of the book and their colourful, quirky style suits the spirit of the work.
The chosen movies range from some made in the 1920s right up to 2023’s smash hit Barbie. As well as ranging over a century of cinema, the feminism here is laudably intersectional: the movies selected include romances which centre women of colour and LGBTQ+ stories. Readers will surely come away with a watch list of movies to further their existing romcom knowledge.
The only downside for me was having to read this in an electronic format. It was fiddly and didn’t do the layout or illustrations justice. This is definitely a book to enjoy in a physical format.
Overall: a great read for anyone who loves romcom movies. Just make sure you get the hardback or paperback version.
June 24, 2024
“Rom coms will always be an outlet for joy.”
This witty, comprehensive guide to the history of rom-coms is a delightful read. Encompassing more than just the cliché romantic comedy, this primer pays tribute to the diversity of the genre and broadens the reader’s perspective on which films can actually be included. Spanning from 1921 to 2023 and written in a digestible, engaging way, I was entertained while also learning something new (my favorite type of book!). The fun illustrations and text features of the book also add to the enjoyment of reading.
The book is written through a strong social justice lens and shows the depth of this film genre by addressing themes of bias, representation, intersectionality, and many of the -isms in society. This is a book I highly recommend. I am excited for this to come out in print - it is definitely a book that can be referenced time and time again. And for this reader, my former “guilty pleasure” genre now feels strong, empowered, and unabashedly cool.
Note: If you plan on watching the movies for the first time, consider perusing titles and only the first paragraph summary of each film before watching to avoid spoilers.
4.5 rating rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
This witty, comprehensive guide to the history of rom-coms is a delightful read. Encompassing more than just the cliché romantic comedy, this primer pays tribute to the diversity of the genre and broadens the reader’s perspective on which films can actually be included. Spanning from 1921 to 2023 and written in a digestible, engaging way, I was entertained while also learning something new (my favorite type of book!). The fun illustrations and text features of the book also add to the enjoyment of reading.
The book is written through a strong social justice lens and shows the depth of this film genre by addressing themes of bias, representation, intersectionality, and many of the -isms in society. This is a book I highly recommend. I am excited for this to come out in print - it is definitely a book that can be referenced time and time again. And for this reader, my former “guilty pleasure” genre now feels strong, empowered, and unabashedly cool.
Note: If you plan on watching the movies for the first time, consider perusing titles and only the first paragraph summary of each film before watching to avoid spoilers.
4.5 rating rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
October 31, 2024
A quick and fun analysis of some of the most popular romcoms through a feminist lens.
I know have a new love for the genre and a long watch list of rewatches and new finds.
I know have a new love for the genre and a long watch list of rewatches and new finds.
July 20, 2024
I’m a lover of rom-coms and watched a plethora of them throughout the 1990s-2010s. Regarding the list in this book, I’ve watched a little over half.
This book has fun and colorful illustrations that will make it the perfect coffee table book. I plan on purchasing a physical copy to display in my home. Not only does it mention 100 movies in the rom-com genre, but the book also provides recommendations for similar movies in each category.
It also makes you realize that rom-coms aren’t just fluff and makes you think about your favorite movies of this genre in a different way. These films had a great impact on females and society whether we knew it directly at that time or not.
Rom-coms aren’t just about living happily ever after, as people assume they are. The book explores movies with themes such as, “putting a spin on the crazy girlfriend trope” and “sang in the face of slut shaming” and “critiques backwards attitudes to sexuality” and many more
Thank you to White Lion Publishing for providing this book for review via NetGalley
This book has fun and colorful illustrations that will make it the perfect coffee table book. I plan on purchasing a physical copy to display in my home. Not only does it mention 100 movies in the rom-com genre, but the book also provides recommendations for similar movies in each category.
It also makes you realize that rom-coms aren’t just fluff and makes you think about your favorite movies of this genre in a different way. These films had a great impact on females and society whether we knew it directly at that time or not.
Rom-coms aren’t just about living happily ever after, as people assume they are. The book explores movies with themes such as, “putting a spin on the crazy girlfriend trope” and “sang in the face of slut shaming” and “critiques backwards attitudes to sexuality” and many more
Thank you to White Lion Publishing for providing this book for review via NetGalley
August 29, 2024
Romantic comedies and what you never realised they showed us.
Seen most of them? Me too. While I'd not SAY it's my favourite genre, turns out I watch an awful lot of romantic comedies, so I guess I am a fan. Who knew?
This book neatly brings a collection of romantic comedies from the last 100 years of cinema together and ties them up as a neat package of different feminist points/issues/messages that are conveyed through plot or character... a lot of which wouldn't have occurred.
So it's a bit of a potted history of Feminism in Hollywood really, with the stories and women (and men) also showing us trends in social change and how this is reflected on the screen.
I hadn't heard of a fair number of these, and have now even ordered the book of the first film mentioned here, as it sounds like something I need to read!
Lovely to see a lot of films I love analysed in this way, and fascinating to see the changes in how women are viewed, treated and stories created around them on screen.
Love the format of this too, a quick read and easy to navigate.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Seen most of them? Me too. While I'd not SAY it's my favourite genre, turns out I watch an awful lot of romantic comedies, so I guess I am a fan. Who knew?
This book neatly brings a collection of romantic comedies from the last 100 years of cinema together and ties them up as a neat package of different feminist points/issues/messages that are conveyed through plot or character... a lot of which wouldn't have occurred.
So it's a bit of a potted history of Feminism in Hollywood really, with the stories and women (and men) also showing us trends in social change and how this is reflected on the screen.
I hadn't heard of a fair number of these, and have now even ordered the book of the first film mentioned here, as it sounds like something I need to read!
Lovely to see a lot of films I love analysed in this way, and fascinating to see the changes in how women are viewed, treated and stories created around them on screen.
Love the format of this too, a quick read and easy to navigate.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
March 16, 2025
Corrina Antrobus’ I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist is practically the poster “book” for the sort of material you find on someone’s coffee table. It’s the sort of book that tells you a lot about the person who puts it there, or at least what they want up to think about them.
As a read, the book leads you through a long list of rom coms from varying points in our history to present, summarizing and offering up feminist commentary on each of them. As far as sitting down to read the book all the way through, this probably isn’t the sort of thing I’d suggest right off the bat. I do think there is some worth to it insofar as a point of reference for a start on research or as a challenge to watch a whole bunch of rom coms.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a read, the book leads you through a long list of rom coms from varying points in our history to present, summarizing and offering up feminist commentary on each of them. As far as sitting down to read the book all the way through, this probably isn’t the sort of thing I’d suggest right off the bat. I do think there is some worth to it insofar as a point of reference for a start on research or as a challenge to watch a whole bunch of rom coms.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2024
The title is what caught my eye initially; I love it and had to know what this was. “I Love Romcoms & I am a Feminist” was an excellent “reference” book! The selection of movies varied which was nice. I loved how every selection was themed! That was a brilliant move. The illustrations are well done as well. Definitely recommend!
November 4, 2025
Easy book, perfect to just have something always on the kindle to read whenever I want something to pass the time.
Each romcom in this book gets a 1 page "review", if that. It's more of a synopsis that highlights what makes it interesting/how it contributed to or reflected feminist values.
I added a lot of movies to my watchlist while reading this, but it really doesn't go in depth, which makes it pretty fluffy as far as books go. It's like a collection of bright-eyed movie reviews for a glossy magazine. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless you LOVE romcoms and either treat it as a reference book or just want something mindless to read, like I did.
Each romcom in this book gets a 1 page "review", if that. It's more of a synopsis that highlights what makes it interesting/how it contributed to or reflected feminist values.
I added a lot of movies to my watchlist while reading this, but it really doesn't go in depth, which makes it pretty fluffy as far as books go. It's like a collection of bright-eyed movie reviews for a glossy magazine. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless you LOVE romcoms and either treat it as a reference book or just want something mindless to read, like I did.
January 21, 2025
This book is right up my alley. I have always loved romcoms, especially when they have a feminist bite. This detailed list of 100 romcoms includes some of my favorite movies and also gave me a whole new list of films to check out! I think I am going to start this book over again and use it as my guide to watch through every movie on the list!!!
March 13, 2025
A very cute read, short summaries of rom-coms from the last 100 years, highlighting how they challenged pre-conceptions and how they were received at the time.
All of my favourites were included, and I liked the illustration at the end of each synopsis, and recommendations for similar movies.
This would make a nice gift for a friend who likes rom-coms, especially if they know that rom-coms often don’t align with their personal views.
All of my favourites were included, and I liked the illustration at the end of each synopsis, and recommendations for similar movies.
This would make a nice gift for a friend who likes rom-coms, especially if they know that rom-coms often don’t align with their personal views.
August 21, 2024
The book that made me rediscover my enjoyment for romcoms.
Highlighting the feminist messages in romcoms starting in the early 1900s up until last year, this book is a must-have for anyone who has ever dared to refuse the statement that romcoms are just fluff and “happily ever after.”
If you know someone who enjoys romcoms—congratulations, you have found your next gift. Not only does it celebrate romcoms, but it also includes beautiful illustrations, recommendations for similar movies, and spot-on homages to women in the film industry. Plus points for the diversity.
It’s quite possible I will go on a romcom binge for the rest of the summer with all the recommendations received from this book.
I found myself flying through the pages, reminding myself to slow down because I did not want it to finish.
Thank you to White Lion Publishing for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Highlighting the feminist messages in romcoms starting in the early 1900s up until last year, this book is a must-have for anyone who has ever dared to refuse the statement that romcoms are just fluff and “happily ever after.”
If you know someone who enjoys romcoms—congratulations, you have found your next gift. Not only does it celebrate romcoms, but it also includes beautiful illustrations, recommendations for similar movies, and spot-on homages to women in the film industry. Plus points for the diversity.
It’s quite possible I will go on a romcom binge for the rest of the summer with all the recommendations received from this book.
I found myself flying through the pages, reminding myself to slow down because I did not want it to finish.
Thank you to White Lion Publishing for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 28, 2024
If you love romantic comedies and identify as a feminist, "I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist: A Manifesto in 100 Romcoms" by Corrina Antrobus, with illustrations by Vulga Drawings, is the perfect book for you. Historically, romantic comedies have often been criticized for their lack of feminist themes, but Antrobus sets out to change that perception. As a huge fan of the genre myself, titles like "10 Things I Hate About You," "Head Over Heels," and "She's All That" are my go-tos, so I was thrilled to discover a book that aligns my love for romcoms with my feminist values.
This book serves as a fearlessly feminist guide to romantic comedies through the ages, revealing the hidden feminist messages in your favorite movies. It's a refreshing reminder that you can indeed love romcoms and be a feminist! Corrina Antrobus, a film journalist and founder of the Bechdel Test Fest, explores how romcoms reflect modern feminism. These underrated, groundbreaking movies have spotlighted or shifted narratives on topics from body positivity to abortion, faking orgasms to workplace equality.
Corrina Antrobus highlights the best feminist moments, both big and small, in some of the most iconic romcoms of all time. For instance, "When Harry Met Sally" broke taboos around faking orgasms, while "10 Things I Hate About You" embraced female rebellion. "Mamma Mia!" sang defiantly in the face of slut-shaming, "My Best Friend's Wedding" showed it's okay to be irrational, "Clueless" proved that women can be fashionable, feminine, and feminist, and "Bridesmaids" brought female-powered comedy to the forefront of Hollywood.
In total, Corrina Antrobus discusses 100 films, each one examined with a keen eye for feminist themes. This beautifully illustrated guide is a must-have for any feminist romcom fan. Each page includes recommendations for similar films, making it the perfect companion for movie nights. "I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist" will arm you with an expert understanding of how these feel-good movies have taught a generation of women and girls about love, humor, and their identity. Whether you're a die-hard romcom lover or a feminist looking to explore the genre, this book is an essential addition to your collection.
This book serves as a fearlessly feminist guide to romantic comedies through the ages, revealing the hidden feminist messages in your favorite movies. It's a refreshing reminder that you can indeed love romcoms and be a feminist! Corrina Antrobus, a film journalist and founder of the Bechdel Test Fest, explores how romcoms reflect modern feminism. These underrated, groundbreaking movies have spotlighted or shifted narratives on topics from body positivity to abortion, faking orgasms to workplace equality.
Corrina Antrobus highlights the best feminist moments, both big and small, in some of the most iconic romcoms of all time. For instance, "When Harry Met Sally" broke taboos around faking orgasms, while "10 Things I Hate About You" embraced female rebellion. "Mamma Mia!" sang defiantly in the face of slut-shaming, "My Best Friend's Wedding" showed it's okay to be irrational, "Clueless" proved that women can be fashionable, feminine, and feminist, and "Bridesmaids" brought female-powered comedy to the forefront of Hollywood.
In total, Corrina Antrobus discusses 100 films, each one examined with a keen eye for feminist themes. This beautifully illustrated guide is a must-have for any feminist romcom fan. Each page includes recommendations for similar films, making it the perfect companion for movie nights. "I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist" will arm you with an expert understanding of how these feel-good movies have taught a generation of women and girls about love, humor, and their identity. Whether you're a die-hard romcom lover or a feminist looking to explore the genre, this book is an essential addition to your collection.
August 7, 2024
Romcoms are great. Here, I said it. Some of them are cliché, some of them are easily digestable, but the genre offers so much more. And this book, definitely highlights all. the good that it has to offer. From Nora Ephrone's fantastic plots and pulp classics like Heathens and Clueless to arthouse favourites like Amelié and Frances Ha. There is something for everyone.
The structure of the book is very straightforward. On the left side, you have an overarching title that sums up the theme of the film, then a short text that puts focus on all the necessary facts to make you want watch it, and then you will find some simliar recommendations. Each film is paired with a lovely and colorful illustration. Also, all films are sorted chronologically, so if you want to walk down the timeline of romcoms, you can do that as well.
I personally knew most of the films mentioned, and still, it was a delight to read through all the texts and go down memory lane.
What I enjoyed even more were those little boxes with "if you like this, you will like that" recommendations.
What a small and neat addition, and yet it's really fantastic and helpful! Imagine you want to watch a movie that has the same vibes as Moonstruck (1987)? Well, go to page 47. 😉
The only thing that would have been nice is a more international approach to romcoms. There is Amelié, of course, but it is mostly completely just a selection of anglophone movies. What about spanish romcoms, the french ones, and don't get me started on what East Asia has to offer.
Also, don't sleep on animation! However, this is just a minor point I wanted to point out – it is still a fantastic book and definitely an addition to every cinephile's library.
If you are ever in need for a birthday present for a film buff, you can go ahead and simply gift them this book. If you like movies or want to learn more about romcoms, get this book. To be honest, the moment I can grab it in physical form I will buy it for myself.
A big and heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, White Lion Publishing and Corrina Antrobus for giving me an eArc in exchange for an honest review!
All thoughts and murmurs expressed in this review my own.
August 18, 2024
Corrina Antrobus, I Love Romcoms and I am a Feminist A manifesto in 100 romcoms, Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, August 2024.
Thank you, Net Galley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Corrina Antrobus has combined short, perceptive commentary with attractive graphics, making this (at first sight) a fun read. However, there is more to this work, and the way in which Antrobus has managed to pack so much wisdom into her commentary, and accompanying lists of suggested rom coms is instructive. While lengthy academic works have their place, so do works such as this – fun, attractive, perceptive, easy to read and providing so much to think about. I like the way in which films seen as women’s films, and therefore possibly lightweight have been given this sort of attention. Look beyond the fun and see what Antrobus really has to say about women, the rom com genre and its treatment of women, and the history of the genre.
Each piece is introduced with a title that designates the feminist concept that is to be covered by the film discussed and those listed. So opening at random, I see ‘Centred the teenage love of a black trans girl’ and Anything’s Possible is discussed with Alice Junior, One Stroke Boy and Tangerine listed. ‘Reminded Women that 30 is still young’ covers Someone Great and lists Celeste and Jesse Forever and Do Revenge. And, now for something I have seen – Top End Wedding, with the additional films, Ali’s Wedding and Saving Face. Familiar films such as Muriel’s Wedding, (under the title, ‘Deconstructed the fairy tale wedding’), When Harry Met Sally have their feminist credentials clarified; Phantom Thread, not one I’d have seen as part of this genre, is given a feminist treatment. Barbie is there, along with the celebrated Mama Mia, Notting Hill, You’ve Got Mail, My Best Friend’s Wedding and Legally Blonde. And the earliest example, seen as ‘Gave women an early lesson in self-respect, Miss Lulu Bett (1921), alongside It (1927) and Dance, Girl, Dance (1940).
Some of the examples are wonderfully eyebrow raising – can they really be seen as feminist? Much of the pleasure in this book is answering this question.
Thank you, Net Galley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Corrina Antrobus has combined short, perceptive commentary with attractive graphics, making this (at first sight) a fun read. However, there is more to this work, and the way in which Antrobus has managed to pack so much wisdom into her commentary, and accompanying lists of suggested rom coms is instructive. While lengthy academic works have their place, so do works such as this – fun, attractive, perceptive, easy to read and providing so much to think about. I like the way in which films seen as women’s films, and therefore possibly lightweight have been given this sort of attention. Look beyond the fun and see what Antrobus really has to say about women, the rom com genre and its treatment of women, and the history of the genre.
Each piece is introduced with a title that designates the feminist concept that is to be covered by the film discussed and those listed. So opening at random, I see ‘Centred the teenage love of a black trans girl’ and Anything’s Possible is discussed with Alice Junior, One Stroke Boy and Tangerine listed. ‘Reminded Women that 30 is still young’ covers Someone Great and lists Celeste and Jesse Forever and Do Revenge. And, now for something I have seen – Top End Wedding, with the additional films, Ali’s Wedding and Saving Face. Familiar films such as Muriel’s Wedding, (under the title, ‘Deconstructed the fairy tale wedding’), When Harry Met Sally have their feminist credentials clarified; Phantom Thread, not one I’d have seen as part of this genre, is given a feminist treatment. Barbie is there, along with the celebrated Mama Mia, Notting Hill, You’ve Got Mail, My Best Friend’s Wedding and Legally Blonde. And the earliest example, seen as ‘Gave women an early lesson in self-respect, Miss Lulu Bett (1921), alongside It (1927) and Dance, Girl, Dance (1940).
Some of the examples are wonderfully eyebrow raising – can they really be seen as feminist? Much of the pleasure in this book is answering this question.
November 8, 2024
Are you a die-hard romantic comedy fan and a proud feminist? If so, this book is your ultimate guide to discovering how your favourite romcoms have been quietly (or not-so-quietly) reshaping ideas of love, gender, and equality!
In I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist, film journalist Corrina Antrobus takes you on a delightful and insightful journey through 100 of the best romantic comedies, revealing the feminist messages embedded in them that you might have missed while swooning over the meet-cutes.
From body positivity in Bridget Jones's Diary to workplace equality in 9 to 5, Antrobus uncovers how romcoms have addressed everything from sex and relationships to self-worth and independence.
This guide goes beyond just listing the movies; it dives deep into feminist moments, both big and small, such as the taboo-breaking When Harry Met Sally, the fierce female rebellion in 10 Things I Hate About You, and the empowering camaraderie of Bridesmaids. Plus, each romcom explored comes with a list of similar movies, making it the perfect companion for your next movie marathon!
What I loved most about this book was how it empowered me to see these films through a new, feminist lens. Whether you're watching Clueless for the 100th time or discovering hidden gems, this book will make you appreciate these feel-good films in a whole new way. Plus, the illustrations by Vulga Drawings add a playful touch, making the book as fun to look at as it is to read!
If you're looking for a feel-good, thought-provoking, and empowering read, grab I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist.
It proves that you can love romantic comedies and be a feminist and that sometimes the most profound lessons come from the movies we watch and the characters we love.
In I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist, film journalist Corrina Antrobus takes you on a delightful and insightful journey through 100 of the best romantic comedies, revealing the feminist messages embedded in them that you might have missed while swooning over the meet-cutes.
From body positivity in Bridget Jones's Diary to workplace equality in 9 to 5, Antrobus uncovers how romcoms have addressed everything from sex and relationships to self-worth and independence.
This guide goes beyond just listing the movies; it dives deep into feminist moments, both big and small, such as the taboo-breaking When Harry Met Sally, the fierce female rebellion in 10 Things I Hate About You, and the empowering camaraderie of Bridesmaids. Plus, each romcom explored comes with a list of similar movies, making it the perfect companion for your next movie marathon!
What I loved most about this book was how it empowered me to see these films through a new, feminist lens. Whether you're watching Clueless for the 100th time or discovering hidden gems, this book will make you appreciate these feel-good films in a whole new way. Plus, the illustrations by Vulga Drawings add a playful touch, making the book as fun to look at as it is to read!
If you're looking for a feel-good, thought-provoking, and empowering read, grab I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist.
It proves that you can love romantic comedies and be a feminist and that sometimes the most profound lessons come from the movies we watch and the characters we love.
August 14, 2024
I Love Romcoms & I am a Feminist proudly declares in its title what some would likely call a contradiction. What it does so well is both contemplate the scope of what actually is a romcom (pushing beyond what are likely immediate and socially reinforced associations) as well as covering a varied and not “one size fits all” range of feminist expression. In no way are feminism and romcoms mutually exclusive, and when brought together well, each can be excellent arguments for the other.
While covering less from early film history, the book does still begin in the 1920s, and continue through into the 2020s, providing a peek into a century’s worth of the genre.
The book does a good job of highlighting non-white and non-heteronormative contributions to the canon, providing diverse offerings from multiple parts of the world and touching multiple points of the LGBTQ spectrum (though seeing more on both fronts would have been great).
The entry for each movie begins “The Romcom That….”, positioning each film as an object lesson in its particular messaging. not all lessons will be equally relevant to all readers, but that just further drives home the point of the diversity of both the genre and the concept of feminism itself.
I also wish the book had included more pre-1970/80s entries, and looked at how some more “classic” romcoms still tried to defy or subvert convention.
Full of bright Lisa Frank meets Keith Haring style illustrations for every entry, in addition to being interesting to read, the book is fun to look at. A wonderfully enjoyable read that has added a number of movies to my to watch list.
While covering less from early film history, the book does still begin in the 1920s, and continue through into the 2020s, providing a peek into a century’s worth of the genre.
The book does a good job of highlighting non-white and non-heteronormative contributions to the canon, providing diverse offerings from multiple parts of the world and touching multiple points of the LGBTQ spectrum (though seeing more on both fronts would have been great).
The entry for each movie begins “The Romcom That….”, positioning each film as an object lesson in its particular messaging. not all lessons will be equally relevant to all readers, but that just further drives home the point of the diversity of both the genre and the concept of feminism itself.
I also wish the book had included more pre-1970/80s entries, and looked at how some more “classic” romcoms still tried to defy or subvert convention.
Full of bright Lisa Frank meets Keith Haring style illustrations for every entry, in addition to being interesting to read, the book is fun to look at. A wonderfully enjoyable read that has added a number of movies to my to watch list.
July 7, 2024
I loved this book far more than I expected to. I expected that I would like it, it would give me Mindy Kaling vibes maybe, and that would be it, but this is definitely a book that I would both proudly display and give as a gift to the feminists/film buffs in my life.
The book is essentially a series of short essays about 100 different films - most fall neatly into the “romcom” heading, while others are more… adjacent, but no matter. I like a number of romcoms, and my absolute favorites are some of the ones that graced these pages, but I would not say I am a devotee of the genre by any means, and I typically prefer a book over a movie. HOWEVER… I walked away with the realization that there are a lot of great movies out there that I haven’t even tried to see, and there are plenty I have never even heard of.
I really loved that even though many of these films will have elements that have not aged the best from an intersectional feminist lens in 2024, the author mentions those aspects but does not lose sight of the forest for the trees. Her essays are written with love, affection, and care for her subjects, and are not as critical as I would expect a review to be. I also loved her dedication to showing allllll the different stars and stories that make up the much more multifaceted genre - black, white, Asian, Bollywood, lesbian, trans, bi…?, fat, divorced, older, teen, Nia Vardolos, etc.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC. I loved it - so rare for me to read a book that actually makes me want to… stop reading and fire up Netflix!
The book is essentially a series of short essays about 100 different films - most fall neatly into the “romcom” heading, while others are more… adjacent, but no matter. I like a number of romcoms, and my absolute favorites are some of the ones that graced these pages, but I would not say I am a devotee of the genre by any means, and I typically prefer a book over a movie. HOWEVER… I walked away with the realization that there are a lot of great movies out there that I haven’t even tried to see, and there are plenty I have never even heard of.
I really loved that even though many of these films will have elements that have not aged the best from an intersectional feminist lens in 2024, the author mentions those aspects but does not lose sight of the forest for the trees. Her essays are written with love, affection, and care for her subjects, and are not as critical as I would expect a review to be. I also loved her dedication to showing allllll the different stars and stories that make up the much more multifaceted genre - black, white, Asian, Bollywood, lesbian, trans, bi…?, fat, divorced, older, teen, Nia Vardolos, etc.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC. I loved it - so rare for me to read a book that actually makes me want to… stop reading and fire up Netflix!
July 20, 2024
As a feminist and a romcom lover, I was immediately drawn to this! This book talks about the so-called chick-flicks since the first decades of cinema, provides context and illustrations. Every page spread is one movie and 2-3 bonus recommendations to it.
I have created a Letterboxd list with all the films mentioned by Corinna Antrobus because I am very interested in many of them, some I haven't heard of, as the author has covered all of the 20th century, plus the list is diverse with some unknown gems and movies from a couple other countries than US. Here is the list https://letterboxd.com/irravalanche/l... For example, I want to rewatch Notting Hill and watch Clueless and once I do, I want to circle back to Corinna's texts about them so I saved some quotes and excerpts for myself.
The art is amazing, the cover is beautiful, this book has so much pop-culture and social history in it, giving voice to movie heroines.
Some of the movies aren't what you'd consider a 'feminist' romcom, like Pretty Woman, but the author makes arguments why she included this or that movie in the book.
However, I think a couple were missing from the list, for example, I would add "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark' because for me it's a very feminist and funny movie and it has a bit of a romantic line too.
Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for access to this book in exchange of an unbiased review!
Great book for any pop-culture or romance fan!
I have created a Letterboxd list with all the films mentioned by Corinna Antrobus because I am very interested in many of them, some I haven't heard of, as the author has covered all of the 20th century, plus the list is diverse with some unknown gems and movies from a couple other countries than US. Here is the list https://letterboxd.com/irravalanche/l... For example, I want to rewatch Notting Hill and watch Clueless and once I do, I want to circle back to Corinna's texts about them so I saved some quotes and excerpts for myself.
The art is amazing, the cover is beautiful, this book has so much pop-culture and social history in it, giving voice to movie heroines.
Some of the movies aren't what you'd consider a 'feminist' romcom, like Pretty Woman, but the author makes arguments why she included this or that movie in the book.
However, I think a couple were missing from the list, for example, I would add "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark' because for me it's a very feminist and funny movie and it has a bit of a romantic line too.
Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for access to this book in exchange of an unbiased review!
Great book for any pop-culture or romance fan!
September 25, 2024
“I am a feminist and I love romcoms” is a collection of hundred romcoms and their imprint on history, in the sense of social norms but also about how they changed the day-to-day life.
This is a feminist guide to romantic comedies through the ages, a perfect companion for any feminist, and shows the hidden feminist messages in our favourite movies.
Written by Corrina Antrobus, the Bechdel Test Fest founder and film journalist, it shines light on everyday misogyny and different narratives on topics, everything from sexually active women to workplace inequality.
Taking up topics that changed the way people saw sexism and women’s rights, she wrote about hundred different romantic comedies, with a topic that it represents, a beautiful illustration, and a few rom-com recommendations to people who liked it.
I felt like it was thought provoking and interesting, but a bit hard to get through at times. I still enjoyed it more than what I expected to, but something just didn’t click.
Something else that I liked was the layout, but I feel like the electronic format didn’t do the illustrations any justice. I’d recommend reading it in a physical format rather than on an electronic device.
Witty, funny, and full of intelligent points, but also easy to read and enjoy, I’d recommend I’m a feminist and I love romcoms to any feminist that has romantic comedies as a guilty pleasure.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily writing this review.
This is a feminist guide to romantic comedies through the ages, a perfect companion for any feminist, and shows the hidden feminist messages in our favourite movies.
Written by Corrina Antrobus, the Bechdel Test Fest founder and film journalist, it shines light on everyday misogyny and different narratives on topics, everything from sexually active women to workplace inequality.
Taking up topics that changed the way people saw sexism and women’s rights, she wrote about hundred different romantic comedies, with a topic that it represents, a beautiful illustration, and a few rom-com recommendations to people who liked it.
I felt like it was thought provoking and interesting, but a bit hard to get through at times. I still enjoyed it more than what I expected to, but something just didn’t click.
Something else that I liked was the layout, but I feel like the electronic format didn’t do the illustrations any justice. I’d recommend reading it in a physical format rather than on an electronic device.
Witty, funny, and full of intelligent points, but also easy to read and enjoy, I’d recommend I’m a feminist and I love romcoms to any feminist that has romantic comedies as a guilty pleasure.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily writing this review.
July 11, 2024
(4.5 stars) After yet another evening of scrolling through Netflix, Hulu, Max, etc. just to settle back into re-watching Derry Girls (again) I came across this book on NetGalley. I feel the need to preface my review with a disclaimer- I typically do not read nonfiction of any type. I have probably 8 half-read on my shelf as I write this. I Love Romcoms and I am a Feminist was so engaging I finished it over three settings. The formatting, the funky art, the author’s voice, the recommendations- amazing, no notes. I went into this one with the hopes that I would find a movie or two I might want to watch and I left feeling so empowered as a woman who unapologetically loves romcoms. The book starts out with movies from the 1920’s and takes us all the way to 2023 with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. Each page follows the same format with the opening “the romcom that…” for example, “reminded women that 30 is still young” followed by a page long synopsis of the movie and what it did for women/feminism as a whole. I will admit I skipped parts of some of the pages to avoid spoilers for movies I knew I wanted to watch. I loved that each page also had 2-3 recommendations for movies that ‘did’ something similar. I will definitely be purchasing a copy of this book on release day for the colorful art alone but it will be nice to have a reference for movie nights moving forward, too.
July 16, 2024
"𝘛𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘤𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢. 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴?"
I love romcoms.
So this was a super quick read of romcoms through the ages - starting in the early black and white movie days!
It talks a lot about how different romcoms did different things throughout history for women and feminists.
It also includes some super amazing illustrations for each of the movies and other movies similar to the one being talked about!
This was definitely a super fun read - thank you so much to @whitelionpublishing and @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this review!
I LOVE ROMCOMS AND I AM A FEMINIST comes out on 8/27/2024! 😍
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#bookstagram #booksta #books #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #ilovereading #thetwistedlibrarian #professionalbookworm #corrinaantrobus #iloveromcomsandiamafeminist #whatsnikkireading #book53of2024 #nonfiction #artsandphotography #historyofromcoms #vulgadrawings #whitelionpublishing #netgalley #advancedreadercopy
I love romcoms.
So this was a super quick read of romcoms through the ages - starting in the early black and white movie days!
It talks a lot about how different romcoms did different things throughout history for women and feminists.
It also includes some super amazing illustrations for each of the movies and other movies similar to the one being talked about!
This was definitely a super fun read - thank you so much to @whitelionpublishing and @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this review!
I LOVE ROMCOMS AND I AM A FEMINIST comes out on 8/27/2024! 😍
.
.
.
.
#bookstagram #booksta #books #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #ilovereading #thetwistedlibrarian #professionalbookworm #corrinaantrobus #iloveromcomsandiamafeminist #whatsnikkireading #book53of2024 #nonfiction #artsandphotography #historyofromcoms #vulgadrawings #whitelionpublishing #netgalley #advancedreadercopy
July 22, 2024
This was a fun book! Like the title suggests, the book is a collection of essays on romcoms viewed through a feminist lens. There are 100 movies covered chronologically, but each movie comes with three other recommendations so this is easily one of the most comprehensive list of romcoms you can find. It starts with the earliest romcoms, so it has many classics that I either hadn't heard of or didn't know much about besides the title or the cast. For the newer era, it covers many little-known picks representing minorities and diverse cultures, many of which were also new to me. The writings did include spoilers for some movies, since specific moments had to be discussed to talk about why a movie was feminist, but I wish there was some spoiler warning for some because I like going into some movies blind. The art style also wasn't for me but it is vibrant and colorful. This book is also a great gift for anyone who loves romcoms.
Thank you to NetGalley, Corinna Antrobus, and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for providing me with a free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Corinna Antrobus, and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for providing me with a free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book as it felt like taking a journey back in time. It was so interesting to see how cinema has evolved over the years, especially in terms of women gaining more visibility and being able to share their stories and important issues with the audience. It's great to see women from all over the world feeling represented on screen.
The primary list features 100 movies, accompanied by stunning illustrations - some of which were quite amusing. While reading, I started a private list on letterboxd to keep track of the ones I've seen. Out of 281 titles, I've watched 83. I've set a goal for myself to catch up on the ones I missed. Some were familiar to me, while others were completely new. I can't wait to watch them all!
I believe the author did a great job bringing a wide range of films with important themes. I’m giving it 4 stars because some of my personal favorites were missing, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
Thanks to White Lion Publishing for the ARC!
The primary list features 100 movies, accompanied by stunning illustrations - some of which were quite amusing. While reading, I started a private list on letterboxd to keep track of the ones I've seen. Out of 281 titles, I've watched 83. I've set a goal for myself to catch up on the ones I missed. Some were familiar to me, while others were completely new. I can't wait to watch them all!
I believe the author did a great job bringing a wide range of films with important themes. I’m giving it 4 stars because some of my personal favorites were missing, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
Thanks to White Lion Publishing for the ARC!
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