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Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation (Paperback)

by Chris Turner (Author)

2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Product Details

Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Vintage Canada (Oct 28 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 030735704X
ISBN-13: 978-0307357045
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 3.2 cm
Shipping Weight: 518 g

Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Amazon.ca Sales Rank: #138,750 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Although this unauthorized book "was not prepared, licensed, approved, or endorsed by any entity involved in creating or producing" The Simpsons, Canadian journalist Turner embarks on an encyclopedic exposition of the show's episodes, catchphrases, characters, cultural impact, social commentary, themes and influences. In 1987, 33-year-old cartoonist Matt Groening devised the dysfunctional family during a 15-minute wait before pitching the concept to producer James L. Brooks. Short segments on Fox's Tracey Ullman Show escalated into the full series in 1989–1990, with accolades and awards piling up during the following 15 years. Turner flavors his straightforward Simpsons study with footnotes and facts on everything from Ayn Rand and Columbine to Y2K and Yeats. Unraveling and analyzing plot threads, he views the series as "more anti-authoritarian by far than almost anything else that's ever aired in prime time," and he praises it as a "cultural institution" comparable to the Beatles. Turner's fannish enthusiasm and tsunami of trivia will appeal mainly to devotees, though cultural historians may value it for its vision of Springfield as a satirical mirror reflecting the trials and tribulations of contemporary life.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile

Simpson fans will rejoice at this lengthy thesis, which elevates a long-running cartoon to cultural keystone in a coffee table book for the ears. Narrator Oliver Wyman has a gift for mimicry, delivering not only a lively read, but many satisfying renditions of favorite "Simpsons" characters. The series' history is exhaustively examined, down to the serial number and title of particular episodes and their significance in the "Simpsons" body of work. While it's open to question whether "The Simpsons" will prove to be as pivotal a cultural work as the author claims, the rollicking fun of the show shines in this analysis and tribute. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

2.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I was intrigued..., Dec 8 2004

By	B. Salomons "8r4d" (Edmonton, AB) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation (Paperback)

... I mean, a journalist from Calgary writes a book about the Simpsons? What lost Turner that fifth star was his lack of disclosure: This book doesn't belong on the shelf beside the episode guides, quiz books, or comics. It would be more comfortable in the culture section tucked between Naomi Klein's No Logo and Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation. I just wish I knew that before I dove into this engrossing book. What better way to reach this generation, after all, than to wrap a narrative of liberal politics (honestly represented by the Simpsons itself, by the way) in everyone's favorite cartoon family. I would have still bought it and read it (that's my disclosure) but this isn't a book about cartoons: it's a book about the last fifteen years of Gen X, Y, AND Z.

True, Turner spends a handful of pages at the beginning of the book setting the stage, as it were. We are treated to favorite moments from the show, relatable anecdotes, and some unofficial history behind its conception. But then Turner begins his broad and sweeping path through the cast: we are treated to archetypal descriptions of each character -- not as end in itself, but rather as a jumping point for some wild (and often speculative) tangental explorations of culture and politics in our modern age. We laugh at the antics of Homer, then grimace at how the bumbling cartoon documents the decline of modern society.

It's interesting. And if you are looking to explore the Simpsons at a level that is much deeper than average (though very relatable and written very friendly) this is your book. Recognize that. You'll either love it or hate it -- but I think that may depend on your political viewpoint AND your tolerance for literature of society's vocal left.

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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get a PHD in the Simpsons, Feb 15 2005

By	Fred W. Armstrong (Maple Ridge, BC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation (Paperback)

Back when I was in grade school I could never understand why the teacher insisted that we hunt for 'hidden meaning' in stories. I thought I was a 'thicky' because I just enjoyed the story as written. The I grew up a bit and realized that the "Looney Tunes" cartoons were written at two levels - one for kids one for adults (a lecture by Chuck Jones helped me realize the extent of this hidden humour). Now that I'm in my mid-forties I see hidden meaning in everything - mainly because I've made enough revolutions around the sun to get enough life experience and exposure to books, TV and travel to even recognize satire. This book is not a fawning ode to the show, but a very well written look at the show in the context of pop culture, politics, television history and a large number of other areas of our culture. I've always loved the show from its beginnings on the Tracy Ullman Show, and I remember my dad insisting that my half brothers could not watch the show because it was a 'bad influence' (yet they could watch Ren & Stimpy - go figure). I bought some merchandise from the show, but more than that, I have enjoyed many a conversation with peers about the 'stuff' jammed into the show much as Seinfeld fans used to dissect each episode in the 90's. After reading this book I have a deeper appreciation for the more subtle material presented by the show over the years, and while I thought that I had spotted most of the cultural references, I realize now that there was a lot of stuff that was slipping under (or over) my radar. This is not a book for someone looking for an episode guide. This book is like a thesis that someone would write to get their PHD in media studies. It's well organized, very well written and entertaining for anyone who laughed at all the stuff that the censors missed. Sadly, I also realize that I'm more like the 'Comic Book Guy" than I would like, but hell, there's worst things in life. I couldn't put this book down, and I, like the author, realize that this TV show would never be made in today?s TV and political environment. This series is no 'Flintstones'. I doff my hat to Chris Turner for writing the definitive analysis of this remarkable TV series.

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not very good, May 2 2006

By	mrs x - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation (Paperback)

I love the Simpsons and the underlying messages in the show. This book brings some of that out, along with other oddball facts that are interesting to read.

The problem is the author seems to be weaving in other books he would like to have written into this one. For instance, the chapter on Bart Simpson turns into a Nirvana biography. One page of reference would have sufficed, not most of the chapter.

And the annoyingly repetitive use of words like anthromorphic, ubiquitous, etc. You get the impression that the author is trying to justify a degree in English with his style.

You begin to feel like you are reading the same paragraphs over and over, with the names changed. Book should have been more concise.

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