Romantic narratives have transcended borders, languages and centuries, evolving into some of the most beloved and enduring stories of human expression. In this third volume of Affairs of the Heart. Timeless Narratives from Around the World, we are invited to delve into the diverse worlds of literature, translation, musical theater and film to explore the universal themes of love, longing and connection. By blending fantasy and reality, this volume invites readers to journey through the universal yet endlessly unique landscapes of romantic storytelling, reminding us that the affairs of the heart are as boundless as the imagination itself.
At the beginning of the book, Onorina Botezat and Corina Veleanu’s study investigates the representation of crimes against women, ranging from crimes of passion to femicide. It incorporates a jurilinguistic approach and a comparative analysis of translations, with a particular focus on Roberto Bolaño’s Latin American fiction. Central themes comprise the victimization of women, the patriarchal viewpoint and the shifting societal perspectives on gender-based violence.
Turning her attention to Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy, with its fantastic world in which humans and supernatural beings coexist, Irina David investigates love in its two aspects: as a powerful feeling that fosters familial and communal bonds and as a social construct influenced by prevailing societal and cultural norms. The research emphasizes the writer’s advocacy for tolerance and acceptance of diversity.
Ramona Elena Chițu’s contribution explores the complex interactions of love, marriage and morality in the famous fantasy series Game of Thrones. The author shows how forbidden passions, strategic alliances and ambiguous relationships mirror the power dynamics and sacrifices inherent in a world where personal desires clash with political obligations and where the distinction between right and wrong becomes unclear.
Focusing on the Japanese culture, Maria Grajdian examines the Japanese all-female musical theater Takarazuka Revue’s adaptations in 2015 and 2023 of the French rock-opera 1789: Les Amants de la Bastille, first performed in Paris in 2012. The research investigates how the Takarazuka Revue reinterprets the French original, redefining love as a conscious and empowering choice that enables the late-modern individual to enact transformative change as part of a collective whole, while breaking free from the confines of mindless consumerism and from the “quiet desperation” of an unfulfilled existence.
Olivia-Cristina Rusu’s contribution utilizes Michel Foucault’s theoretical framework of the “modern episteme” to explore the intricate depiction of love in Jean-Baptiste Andrea’s novel Watching over Her. Through the lens of the episteme, the study investigates how the social, cultural and political landscape of early 20th-century Europe shapes and limits the feelings between the novel’s protagonists, Mimo and Viola.
Monica-Alina Toma’s research delves into the diverse storylines that define the romantic comedy genre, by identifying the most prevalent plot structures such as the classic "fated love" paradigm or the all-too-common “clueless” narrative that captivate audiences with their emotional depth, humor and satisfying resolutions.
From the treasures of contemporary literature to the sweeping melodies of rock opera and the cinematic spectacles of modern filmmaking, this fascinating volume celebrates the timeless magnetism of romance.
The three books of the series Affairs of the Heart. Timeless Narratives from Around the World invite readers on a mesmerizing journey through the ages, where love takes center stage in its many forms: passionate, tender, unrequited, forbidden, tragic or triumphant. From timeless classics to modern tales, the stories analyzed in these volumes remind us that while the world changes, the power of love remains eternal, resonating across cultures, generations and hearts.