Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Television Show

by Glenn Yeffeth

Overview

This collection of irreverent and surprising essays about the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer includes pieces by leading science fiction and fantasy authors. Contributors include bestselling legend David Brin, critically acclaimed novelist Scott Westerfeld, cult-favorite vampire author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and award-winner Sarah Zettel. The show and its cast are the topics of such critical pieces as Lawrence Watt-Evans's "Matchmaking in Hellmouth" and Sherrilyn Kenyon's "The Search for Spike's Balls." An informed introduction for those not well acquainted with the show, and a source of further research for Buffy buffs, this book raises interesting questions concerning a much-loved program and future cult classic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781932100082
Publisher:	BenBella Books, Inc.
Publication date:	09/10/2003
Series:	Smart Pop Series
Edition description:	First Trade Paper Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Glenn Yeffeth is the editor of several anthologies in the Smart Pop series, including Anthology at the End of the Universe, Farscape Forever!, Five Seasons of Angel, Navigating the Golden Compass, Seven Seasons of Buffy, Taking the Red Pill, and What Would Sipowitz Do? Drew Goddard is a former Buffy the Vampire Slayer screenwriter.

Editorial Reviews

Over its seven-year run, Fox's Buffy the Vampire Slayer created a huge market for books and other memorabilia. What could be different about this one? Editor Yeffeth commissioned 21 top sf writers, ranging from David Brin (Kiln People) to Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (the "St. Germain" vampire series), to write essays on the beloved show. Sherrilyn Kenyon's "The Search for Spike's Balls" exemplifies the humorous approach, while Christine Golden's "Where's the Wicca in Willow's Religion?" tends to the serious. Golden examines the difference between a real witch and Hollywood's incarnation while giving the reader a better understanding of the Wicca religion. Although the contributions are engaging, the book has limited appeal. It's hard to imagine even the staunchest Buffy fans seeking out critical essays. While not an essential purchase, this clever compilation deserves consideration by large TV and pop culture collections.-Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Lib., Broward Cty., FL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Adult/High School-In the foreword to this collection of 22 essays, scriptwriter Drew Goddard asks, "Why do we care so much about Buffy?" After some false but mercifully brief starts, the book hits its stride with a succession of passionate, articulate, entertaining, informative, and sometimes-humorous pieces by professional writers who have no inhibitions about explaining what they love about the show-and what they hate. Varying widely in attitude and style, chapters analyze the show's literary qualities from a number of perspectives; delve into its "meaning" through its themes of love and growth; look closely at the dark side of the "Buffyverse" and the complexity of its moral structure; and argue the relative merits of its characters and episodes. Kevin Andrew Murphy's fittingly titled "Unseen Horrors and Shadowy Manipulations" documents instances of censorship and the attempts of network and advertisers to reshape Buffy to suit their purposes. In "Where's the Religion in Willow's Wicca?" Christie Golden provides a much-needed corrective to the mistake the writers made when they called Willow's fantasy sorcery "Wicca" (a real religion). In the final essay, "Slayers of the Last Arc," Nancy Holder shows why some are so affected by the story when she argues that, seen in retrospect, Buffy clearly fits the template of Joseph Campbell's "hero's journey." This outstanding and diverse collection will entertain, challenge, and enlighten anyone familiar with the Buffyverse.-Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal