- Paperback: 232 pages
- Publisher: Tauris Parke Paperbacks; 1st edition edition (Dec 25 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1860647626
- ISBN-13: 978-1860647628
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 240 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,699,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Reading the Vampire Slayer is a very accessible collection of essays, edited by Amazon.co.uk contributor and respected SF and Fantasy reviewer Roz Kaveney, which analyses the first five seasons of the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the first two seasons of "Angel". Kaveney's opening article sketches out the territory, providing an insightful introduction to the themes and structures of the two shows. The essays that follow consider a wide range of issues, but a common theme is the complexity and inventiveness of the shows, with their deconstruction of patriarchal authority and highlighting of the ambiguous nature of evil. Variously, the authors consider how Buffy subverts the "male gaze", the ways in which the shows challenge such concepts as established authority and traditional ways of learning and knowing, the use of humour, how the landscape of Southern California plays its part, and how fans have become actively involved in the writing of slash-fan fiction (which pairs characters such as Xander/Spike in sexual relationships). It's an eclectic mix, with some essays more obviously academic than others, but on the whole the style, which includes bibliographies for further reading, means this book should interest both students of cultural and media studies and more general readers. And it's a lot of fun to read, providing many thoughtful insights into two shows that have proved popular television can be both thought provoking and deeply moving. --Elizabeth Sourbut
From Booklist
When TV shows are as smart as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel, they are bound to attract people who want to analyze them. Editor Kaveney has gathered some very thoughtful essays on the shows. A number of these pieces lean toward academic tedium, but most are accessible and intriguing. Kaveney's own essay leads the set, and it is a great primer on both shows, summarizing all but their current seasons and discussing some major themes and characters in each. Other standouts include an essay on the use of California as a setting, a pair of essays pondering Buffy and feminism, and one dealing with the strength of characterizations and the talent of the casts of both shows. The handy episode guide at the end will help newer fans get caught up. Because many viewers are drawn to Buffy and Angel by the shows' intelligence and multilayered stories, expect them to be enticed by this engaging collection. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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I had never quite been seduced by a television show before. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
I had never quite been seduced by a television show before. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
The Bible Book for BTVS
April 26 2004
It is true that this does not contain any new information for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, that really isn't the point of the book.
This is more of a references book for any one who wanted to know any thing ( and probably more then you needed to know,) about Buffy.
It is very well organized and easy to read, and understand.
In the very first chapter you learn who the key players are ( ie, Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, and etc...) As well as pass relationships and family units.
The book also has a full episode guide through season one to seven. Short description of each episode and it also does this for Angel.
There are also some side notes on script format and tie in notes for ideas for the show.
A helping book for any one who is just getting interested in Buffy, or for one who has been, a lone time fan.
This is more of a references book for any one who wanted to know any thing ( and probably more then you needed to know,) about Buffy.
It is very well organized and easy to read, and understand.
In the very first chapter you learn who the key players are ( ie, Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, and etc...) As well as pass relationships and family units.
The book also has a full episode guide through season one to seven. Short description of each episode and it also does this for Angel.
There are also some side notes on script format and tie in notes for ideas for the show.
A helping book for any one who is just getting interested in Buffy, or for one who has been, a lone time fan.
Must have if you like talking and thinking...
Jan 6 2004
I can't begin to describe what it was like to get this as a Christmas present a couple of years ago. As a confirmed Buffy addict and a modern lit major, there were times where the "watch Buffy" parties lasted much longer than my friends could stand because I wanted to TALK ABOUT THE SHOW. Finally here was a volume of people who were just like me - well, maybe better educated and clear spoken, but you get the idea.
If you're new to a show that's was on the air for 7 or so seasons, and like a little light theory, I'd advocate getting this book simply to put in perspective what all of those crazies are talking about. While every essay may not strike a chord, some of them will begin the painful process of explaining just why there are a number of fanatics out there who will watch this silly main character fulfill improbably plot lines till the very end. Read She saved the world. A lot. - An introduction to the themes and structures of Buffy and Angel. Don't skip it. It's the most important one for you.
And for those of you who loved the show in the good old days but can't watch it past season three (because that's when it started to get bad), there's plenty of material here for you as well. Most of the discussions center around the early years - with good reason. That's when the identity of the show was forming itself and so many of the characteristics that make it so exciting were created. And they do talk about them, with abandon.
Then for everyone who's like me, and watched the show till the bitter end, not just because you didn't have anything else to do on Tuesday nights, but because the characters (even when they were developed badly) and the sequences (even when they become overly dramatic) still had an almost inexpressible draw - you'll love this book because it whets your appetite for more. Each essay will call up just as many memories of watching the show as it does ask some of those questions your non-lit friends just don't want to entertain (or your het friends just don't want to discuss - see Staking a Claim #9).
But in a very real sense, these essays seem like introductions to topics that can be discussed at greater length. Maybe it's simply wishful thinking on my part, but I think almost every chapter could begin it's own book. Maybe someday?
Great, but WARNING!!!!!
Dec 6 2003
This is a really great collections of essays about Buffy and Angel, but PLEASE NOTE THAT A NEW EDITION IS COMING OUT IN JANUARY 2004. I have been trying to find out more about it, and right now it isn't clear whether they are changing the contents completely, or just allowing the authors to revise their articles. At any rate, I would strongly recommend checking out the contents of the newer volume before getting this earlier edition.
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Most recent customer reviews
A model of how to write about popular media
Let's face it: academics are people, too. And like everyday folk, they enjoy being fans. Truth be told, the contributors didn't write these essays so much because they had deep... Read more
Published on Aug 24 2003 by Robert Moore
A must for anyone doing a serious study of BTVS.
The first chapter alone is worth the price of the book. It provides and exhaustive look at the first six seasons of BTVS and some of ANGEL. A great episode guide is included. Read more
Published on Jun 2 2003
Excellent critical analysis of Buffy
I should start this review by admitting that I am an unrepantant fan of "Buffy -- The Vampire Slayer" so reading this volume was hardly a chore. Read more
Published on April 22 2003 by A Williams
Finally!
An intelligent Book of collected essays that actually delves under the surface of our favorite TV heroes and villians. Read more
Published on Mar 18 2003 by Carri Davis
Occasionally interesting, but nothing too special
The essays in Reading the Vampire range from interesting, to silly, to obvious.
She Saved the World a Lot is a tedious summary of the plots and characters of Buffy and Angel. Read more
Published on Oct 31 2002 by wickedripeplum
Views on Buffy the Vampire Slayer from the Ivory Towers
"Reading the Vampire Slayer" is a critical appreciation of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" from those living in their proverbial ivory towers but glued to their tube for "BtVS. Read more
Published on Sep 12 2002 by Lawrance M. Bernabo
A clever and thought-provoking set of essays
Most fans of Buffy of the Vampire Slayer don't watch the show for the butt-kicking action or the hottie cast members (though they don't hurt); they watch the show for the... Read more
Published on July 11 2002 by Joseph Rodriguez
More fun watching the show after reading these essays
I really enjoyed reading this collection of critical essays. They are well-written, interesting (well, interesting if one is a fan of "Buffy" and "Angel") and insightful. Read more
Published on May 12 2002 by Abbie Brown
More fun than you can shake a stake at!
Unlike other Buffy the Vampire Slayer books, this one takes on a whole new perspective. Whether the influence of martial arts, to the mystery of the "slash" genre or... Read more
Published on Mar 13 2002 by Bri Meets Books
Layers of Slayers
There are many reasons why Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been a successful show for six years, and Roz Kaveney's collection of essays from diverse critics enumerates those reasons. Read more
Published on Mar 11 2002 by Bruce Rux
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