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farahmendlesohn's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It’s a clear, easy read, that considers current ways of assessing “black women in horror”, from reading lists, film critics, literary critics and fantasy critics, and then proposes some new approaches.
It’s written from “within” a fantastical critical tradition I’m familiar with -Attebery, Barr, Clute, Mendlesohn and Heinlein of all people— are cited possibly unnecessarily, tho the use of Clute to discuss Jemisin’s first trilogy is nice; and the use of Black Feminist theory to discuss speculative fiction is fascinating.
I think what makes the book work for me is the same thing that might annoy others: instead of arguing for one theoretical approach, Brooks uses a range of theory as a filter, scrutinising her texts through each in turn.
Highly recommended.
Nb. The index is annoyingly incomplete.
It’s written from “within” a fantastical critical tradition I’m familiar with -Attebery, Barr, Clute, Mendlesohn and Heinlein of all people— are cited possibly unnecessarily, tho the use of Clute to discuss Jemisin’s first trilogy is nice; and the use of Black Feminist theory to discuss speculative fiction is fascinating.
I think what makes the book work for me is the same thing that might annoy others: instead of arguing for one theoretical approach, Brooks uses a range of theory as a filter, scrutinising her texts through each in turn.
Highly recommended.
Nb. The index is annoyingly incomplete.
sistermagpie's review
4.0
A super interesting overview of the place--or absence of place--of the black woman's pov in the horror genre. Going in I probably assumed it would be looking at different and movies, describing what roles black women had in them etc., but its pov looks wider than that. The author uses Sycorax, a character from Shakespeare's The Tempest, to embody this unique/pov that isn't focused on in horror, so you have to look for her. Sometimes she shows up in unexpected places. For instance, there's a really interested section on the works of Nina Simone and Memphis Minnie, whose blues music connects directly to conjure women traditions.
To me, as a horror fan, it was just a fascinating new way of looking at things--and of course it includes plenty of great recommendations for movies/books/music to check out.
To me, as a horror fan, it was just a fascinating new way of looking at things--and of course it includes plenty of great recommendations for movies/books/music to check out.
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