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octavia_cade's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I have to admit that when I first saw the title of this book, I thought it would be about visual art; instead, it's an argument that Buffy the Vampire Slayer can be interpreted as art. Which doesn't seem such a stretch to me, but then some people are snobby about what they call art, and as Wilcox points out, even the best episodes of the show got little critical attention for their writing or acting in the form of awards, or award nominations, from mainstream outlets such as the Emmys.
The book's structured in two parts, and while both are interesting, I found the second half - comprising close reads of half a dozen episodes as case studies - to be more appealing. Primarily because most of the episodes chosen, such as "The Body" or "Once More with Feeling" are also favourites of mine (though for the life of me I can't remember a single thing about "The Zeppo"). Anyway, it's an enjoyable and generally accessible read; there was never a point where my attention faded out. I suspect that's at least in part because I'm a big fan of the show, but Wilcox also takes care not to wallow overly in academic-speak, which is frankly always helpful.
The book's structured in two parts, and while both are interesting, I found the second half - comprising close reads of half a dozen episodes as case studies - to be more appealing. Primarily because most of the episodes chosen, such as "The Body" or "Once More with Feeling" are also favourites of mine (though for the life of me I can't remember a single thing about "The Zeppo"). Anyway, it's an enjoyable and generally accessible read; there was never a point where my attention faded out. I suspect that's at least in part because I'm a big fan of the show, but Wilcox also takes care not to wallow overly in academic-speak, which is frankly always helpful.
alexampersand's review
4.0
Really interesting; even after the shocking amounts of times I have seen Buffy, there are things that never even occurred to me. Like the Gentlemen representing the patriarchy; the couples in Once More With Feeling wearing coordinating colours; the phallic symbolism of Spike, and even the Freudian sexual connotations to the whole vampire myth.
I felt like at times the book could have been better structured; the first half of the book is 'general' essays, about the series as a whole, and at times it feels like then there is too much to focus on anything in particular. But then, the second half of the book focuses on specific episodes (Hush, Restless, The Body, Once More With Feeling) but even these, at least once in each essay it mentions that 'this subject is far too wide so we will only skim it'. I kind of wish the full essays had been written, that weren't just skimming the surface.
Nevertheless, a genuinely fascinating read.
I felt like at times the book could have been better structured; the first half of the book is 'general' essays, about the series as a whole, and at times it feels like then there is too much to focus on anything in particular. But then, the second half of the book focuses on specific episodes (Hush, Restless, The Body, Once More With Feeling) but even these, at least once in each essay it mentions that 'this subject is far too wide so we will only skim it'. I kind of wish the full essays had been written, that weren't just skimming the surface.
Nevertheless, a genuinely fascinating read.
greatlibraryofalexandra's review
3.0
I liked this less than "Seven Seasons of Buffy" (Edited by Glenn Yeffeth) but more than "Sex and the Slayer (Lorna Jowett)."
This collection can be repetitive - however, Wilcox does note that in the opening intro, as she states that the essays are able to be read out of order, and as stand alone pieces, and are better suited to spoken delivery. This is true, and being forewarned makes some of the repetition palatable -- but other repetition just isn't.
The constant references to Freud were irritating beyond belief (I thought Freshman Psych classes beat it into all students' head that Freud was kind of a joke) and I also found myself wanting to slam the book down on the table and scream "not everything is a phallic reference!" Sometimes a clocktower is just a clocktower, Rhonda. Sometimes spiky hair is just spiky (tacky) hair.
"Fear: The Princess Screamed Once; Power, Silence, and Fear in "Hush" gave me a new perspective on that episode, and had me appreciating it much more. To be honest, I've never loved that episode, and never found it to be life-changing or all that enticing. In this piece, Wilcox made me want to go back to it.
"When Harry Met Buffy: Buffy Summers, Harry Potter, and Heroism" was an excellent piece; I don't think I'd ever twigged that they started the same year.
"Every Night I Save You" spoke to me on a deep level, and as a massive Spike fan, I was happy to see Wilcox repeatedly point out that Spike sought a soul in his own agency, contrasted with Angel suffering a soul only when he was 'cursed' with it.
The analyses of "Surprise" and "Innocence" was engaging and beautiful as well.
So, as I said: while this wasn't as fun as "Seven Seasons of Buffy" (which I enjoyed immensely even when I raucously disagreed with an opinion), it's not as academically dry and inaccessible as "Sex and the Slayer," nor did it leave me feeling as put out and combative as Jowett's book did (her conclusion that Buffy wasn't a feminist show was...laughable).
Because this was written in 2006, I will give it a pass on the hero-worship of Joss Whedon, which I no longer think has any place in these discussions. He may have given us Buffy, but he's still just a man who has exhibited reprehensible behavior.
This collection can be repetitive - however, Wilcox does note that in the opening intro, as she states that the essays are able to be read out of order, and as stand alone pieces, and are better suited to spoken delivery. This is true, and being forewarned makes some of the repetition palatable -- but other repetition just isn't.
The constant references to Freud were irritating beyond belief (I thought Freshman Psych classes beat it into all students' head that Freud was kind of a joke) and I also found myself wanting to slam the book down on the table and scream "not everything is a phallic reference!" Sometimes a clocktower is just a clocktower, Rhonda. Sometimes spiky hair is just spiky (tacky) hair.
"Fear: The Princess Screamed Once; Power, Silence, and Fear in "Hush" gave me a new perspective on that episode, and had me appreciating it much more. To be honest, I've never loved that episode, and never found it to be life-changing or all that enticing. In this piece, Wilcox made me want to go back to it.
"When Harry Met Buffy: Buffy Summers, Harry Potter, and Heroism" was an excellent piece; I don't think I'd ever twigged that they started the same year.
"Every Night I Save You" spoke to me on a deep level, and as a massive Spike fan, I was happy to see Wilcox repeatedly point out that Spike sought a soul in his own agency, contrasted with Angel suffering a soul only when he was 'cursed' with it.
The analyses of "Surprise" and "Innocence" was engaging and beautiful as well.
So, as I said: while this wasn't as fun as "Seven Seasons of Buffy" (which I enjoyed immensely even when I raucously disagreed with an opinion), it's not as academically dry and inaccessible as "Sex and the Slayer," nor did it leave me feeling as put out and combative as Jowett's book did (her conclusion that Buffy wasn't a feminist show was...laughable).
Because this was written in 2006, I will give it a pass on the hero-worship of Joss Whedon, which I no longer think has any place in these discussions. He may have given us Buffy, but he's still just a man who has exhibited reprehensible behavior.
bookforestsprite's review
4.0
All in all very interesting and thought-provoking essays. Focuses unfortunately way too much on Spike and then men in the series in general when there are so many women and female relationships to explore.
sonshinelibrarian's review
5.0
Readable, entertaining, thought-provoking, and well-researched, this book provides 12 essays on Buffy. The first half of the book deals with larger themes while the second half focuses in on specific episodes. Although each essay is adapted from an earlier presentation or paper, there is still a strong continuity to the essays. I think perhaps a final conclusionary note tying things together would have made it a bit more cohesive, but a thoroughly enjoyable read.
mullemit's review against another edition
5.0
I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I now feel addicted to books that make me love it more.
This book is basically a declaration of love for the show and its creators. It touches on many interesting subjects and I kind of want a book about each chapter (my favorite was the one about names and the analysis of 'Restless' even though it felt far from done). It's easy to get into and full of admiration and sharp thinking.
This book is basically a declaration of love for the show and its creators. It touches on many interesting subjects and I kind of want a book about each chapter (my favorite was the one about names and the analysis of 'Restless' even though it felt far from done). It's easy to get into and full of admiration and sharp thinking.
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