This article explores a transition in portraying individuals who are different and/or disabled, comparing historical freak shows with contemporary depictions of autism in romance novels. It argues that the main difference between the two forms of representation is that, while managers of freak shows capitalized on curiosity and spectacle of society in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and exploited those who were exhibited, contemporary romance novels that represent autism and are written by autistic authors prioritize ethical and authentic portrayals that validate and encourage neurodivergent readers. This article explores the underlying reasons for the popularity of freak shows, suggesting they provided an outlet for societal voyeurism, although in a different way than contemporary popular romance novels. Furthermore, it contextualizes the historical factors influencing the popularity of freak shows and the intentions of autistic romance writers. By examining the shared goals of both freak shows and autism representation in romance—entertainment and education—the study emphasizes the divergence in their treatment of the different: while freak shows often objectified and exploited people, romance novels with autism representation centre the agency and subjectivity of their characters, positioning them as true protagonists of the story.
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