A review by caoilo
Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls by Lynn S. Zubernis, Katherine Larsen

3.0

So I gave this book a three for the simple reason I don't think it did what it set out to do, or what was described in the blurb, which was to talk about fandom. Yes there were interviews with both Fans' and the stars' but I honestly think the book should have been regarded as more of "the behind the making of Fandom at the crossroads" or "Fandom as we see it by Kathy and Lynn." I think that is one of the major disappointments the other is because I live in Ireland I had to special order it. I should have known almost at once that I might not like it when within a few pages I felt like K&L were personally judging me as a lesser fan (Couch fan I think they called it) because I don't go to the same lengths as them. I have never been to a con and any Supernatural items I have are usually presents except for the AKF top I saved for and this book which I also saved for. Only near the end of the book did I feel they had any compassion for people who can't afford such things. As for the "shame" I have been a Harry Potter fan for just over half my life and of course I have watched people roll their eye's at me or ask "Isn't that for children?" but I don't let it affect me, I don't allow it to make me a shamed, I am a Potterhead and proud. Having said that I was barely a few chapters in and I started to ask myself "Should I have been more ashamed?". The truth is it's quite a good book I only wish it had of been blurbed right. I had hoped to have a better sense of fandom community by the end but it seemed the book was more focused on K&L getting to make there other book, hence my suggestion that it should have been a behind the making of. They seemed to have tried to multi task the book but in doing so they lost the whole idea of what it was meant to be about in the first place. They seem to have the opposite effect than the one I presume they set out to have.

Pros:
1)The writing is ease to fallow occasionally it has a bit of chop and change.
2)Interviews & photos.
3)FanFic Glossary.
4) Cover art.
5) the truth behind Jim B's slash T-shirt. (just like area 51 the truth is out there lol)
6) proof that even if you think you are obsessed with something there is always someone more so.
7) even people writing a book about others being judged on some aspect of their lives can be also judgemental.

Cons;

1) Misleading blurb and name
2) If you have never felt shame about your fandoms you might just be about to.