Generic Hybridity and the Critique of Instrumentalism in the Enchanted Landscapes of Dark Fairy Romance

Author
Publication year
2025
Journal
Gramarye
Volume
27
Comment

Here's the abstract:

The article examines the emergence and characteristics of dark fairy romance, a genre that blends elements of Gothic horror and contemporary paranormal romance, particularly focusing on the portrayal of dark fairies. It discusses how these narratives critique the disenchantment of the modern world, as articulated by thinkers like Max Weber, Theodor Adorno, and Max Horkheimer, by presenting enchanted landscapes that challenge instrumental rationality and evoke themes of environmentalism and moral transgression. The analysis highlights specific works, such as Julie Kagawa's *The Iron King* and Graham Joyce's *Some Kind of Fairy Tale*, illustrating how these texts navigate genre boundaries and explore the complexities of love, nature, and the human experience in relation to the supernatural. The article ultimately suggests that dark fairy romance serves as a site for reenchantment, offering a critique of modernity while envisioning utopian possibilities.