David Lavery (1949–2016)

Probably deserves four stars for existing (it is indeed the nerdiest thing ever): but it really could have been a lot more. Some of the essays (the phallus one particularly) are ludicrous! (Eyelessness = castration, apparently, not soullessness as any author/artist would tell you).

And many of the essays seem to be the author's own general philosophy, just with some reference to Twin Peaks thrown in. A few are genuinely interesting, but even these - post-modernism, etc - feel perfunctory. An interesting book, but shows its age (1992/93, before one could really judge the effect of Twin Peaks on television.)… (mais)

Reading this book after finishing all six seasons of LOST is interesting but also an exercise in futility. As it stops short in the middle of season two, it obviously lacks a lot of the conclusions that the season finale grants to several hanging plot lines. Some of the book's theories are good but ultimately fall flat. Sections trying to expand upon the mysteries of the island seem like a stretch, even at the time of publication, like the 'name similarity' section. But the sections on the history of LOST's origins are good enough reading as are the pieces on LOST's online fandom, the interaction the show runners had with fans, and the show's possible ancestor texts, featuring a few obvious titles that were referenced or seen briefly on the show itself.

Not a terrible read, but I'm glad I got it from the library instead of paying for it.… (mais)

Think about Whedon

Reading Joss Whedon, edited by Rhonda V. Wilcox, Tanya R. Cochran, Cynthea Masson and David Lavery (Syracuse University Press, $29.95).

No doubt having academic conferences and anthologies of scholarly work devoted to his work both appalls and tickles Joss Whedon, the science fiction/comic book geek with a feminist and literary streak a mile wide.

This collection of essays from Syracuse University Press hits the mark, with thoughtful essays for smart people who like smart stories told well—which basically means “Joss Whedon fans.”

Divided into sections based on his mass-market work (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly/Serenity and Dollhouse); a “Beyond the Box” section for comic books, movies and the Dr. Horrible web-based work; and a final section devoted to over-arching themes across series, the book is organized to allow for quick dipping into the waters of scholarship between viewing marathons.

While the scholars have picked up on the recurring theme that family is what you choose, not what you’re born into, they’ve added some other thematic constants—for example, linking the way that Whedon regularly works with a “company” of actors to the work habits of Shakespeare, and the way that stopping apocalypses (apocalypti?) works as a disaster survival mechanism but requires trust.

Normally, these sorts of scholarly approaches to cultural icons aren’t intended for fans. In this case, though, Whedon seems to attract the sort of literary—and literate—fans who will thoroughly enjoy this collection.

Reviewed on Lit/Rant: www.litrant.tumblr.com… (mais)

This is the first time I have read peer-reviewed published work on films and filmmaking and it was fun. I live outside the USA and know nothing about Buffy and Angel. I came to the book because of Firefly.

This is a long book with many essays and I did not read them all (some of the Buffy and Angel pieces require a deep knowledge of the shows and I have never seen a single minute). The ones I read presented interesting ideas in an academic style that I am used to. Some of the writers need to learn to simplify a bit (obscurantism in academic writing is frowned upon) but there is lots of food for thought if you are interested in these shows and in Joss Whedon.

I received Reading Joss Whedon by Rhonda V. Wilcox, Tanya R. Cochran, Cynthea Masson and David Lavery (Syracuse University Press) through NetGalley.com.… (mais)