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labunnywtf's review against another edition
2.0
Sneak preview received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
::taps fingers::
A disclaimer.
If there is ever a subject I am going to be extremely critical of, it will be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you don't know, the fandom feels I have are very strong, very deep, very emotional, very intense. I have bookshelves lined with books about Buffy, a container of memorabilia dating back to the early days of the show, and an encyclopedic knowledge of both the show, the spin-off, Whedon's other projects, the actors themselves, down to one off bit players, their post-Whedon acting projects, as well as the writers, producers, and costumers who made this show what it was.
I read [b: Joss Whedon: The Biography|18778170|Joss Whedon The Biography|Amy Pascale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400873068s/18778170.jpg|26685314] three years ago, and enjoyed it immensely. It perfectly captured the feeling of what it was like to watch the show as it aired, as well as how it is to be a fan 20 years later*. It did brush over some of the darker sides of that experience, which was not surprising, all things considered.
You put the word "uncensored" and "unauthorized" in front of me, I'm going to expect a bit more from you. I am certainly not going to expect an incorrect quote within the first ten pages.
Maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe the properly edited, non ARC version corrects that glaring error of a pretty iconic moment.
I don't get the feeling this is going to be what I wanted from this book. Again, it is a sneak preview, you don't get into the guts of the thing. But this feels like...yeah.
Also, it's painfully repetitive. I enjoy the format, interviews by the actors, the writers, producers, and some people who I'm pretty sure didn't work on Buffy but are still major Hollywood players? At least, I don't recognize their names. Maybe they were the little people, I say jokingly.
But these are interviews C&P'ed together to fit the format of each chapter. Which means I read two separate Charisma Carpenter interviews, separated by other interview blurbs, about how she wore flip flops and overalls to her audition.
I don't believe that will be the only time through the book this occurs. And that's not a style that lends itself to enjoyment. The anecdote is great! The first time.
This feels like fanboying lip service. And again, I have bookshelves already dedicated to that. Christopher Golden's Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20 Years of Slaying: The Watcher’s Guide Authorized comes out next week, I'll be saving my money for that one.
* JFC I'M SO OLD.
::taps fingers::
A disclaimer.
If there is ever a subject I am going to be extremely critical of, it will be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you don't know, the fandom feels I have are very strong, very deep, very emotional, very intense. I have bookshelves lined with books about Buffy, a container of memorabilia dating back to the early days of the show, and an encyclopedic knowledge of both the show, the spin-off, Whedon's other projects, the actors themselves, down to one off bit players, their post-Whedon acting projects, as well as the writers, producers, and costumers who made this show what it was.
I read [b: Joss Whedon: The Biography|18778170|Joss Whedon The Biography|Amy Pascale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400873068s/18778170.jpg|26685314] three years ago, and enjoyed it immensely. It perfectly captured the feeling of what it was like to watch the show as it aired, as well as how it is to be a fan 20 years later*. It did brush over some of the darker sides of that experience, which was not surprising, all things considered.
You put the word "uncensored" and "unauthorized" in front of me, I'm going to expect a bit more from you. I am certainly not going to expect an incorrect quote within the first ten pages.
Maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe the properly edited, non ARC version corrects that glaring error of a pretty iconic moment.
I don't get the feeling this is going to be what I wanted from this book. Again, it is a sneak preview, you don't get into the guts of the thing. But this feels like...yeah.
Also, it's painfully repetitive. I enjoy the format, interviews by the actors, the writers, producers, and some people who I'm pretty sure didn't work on Buffy but are still major Hollywood players? At least, I don't recognize their names. Maybe they were the little people, I say jokingly.
But these are interviews C&P'ed together to fit the format of each chapter. Which means I read two separate Charisma Carpenter interviews, separated by other interview blurbs, about how she wore flip flops and overalls to her audition.
I don't believe that will be the only time through the book this occurs. And that's not a style that lends itself to enjoyment. The anecdote is great! The first time.
This feels like fanboying lip service. And again, I have bookshelves already dedicated to that. Christopher Golden's Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20 Years of Slaying: The Watcher’s Guide Authorized comes out next week, I'll be saving my money for that one.
* JFC I'M SO OLD.
jena_33's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
swicksy's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't find this one as compelling as the pair of Star Trek books from the authors (The Fifty Year Mission x2) which is not the fault of the authors, but more the material itself. What it does give you is the progression of a hit TV show and how a serialized show dealt with it's success and ongoing plots, while managing to avoid some curves (an actor with a drug problem, a regular that got pregnant when she was meant to be the season's "Big Bad") but otherwise some of the material rambles on (like the pregnant actor) to the point where it doesn't really give as much insight into the show. Everyone seems to have gotten along, except one glorified guest star on ANGEL who clearly thinks the material was beneath him, and seems to be the only person to call David Boreanaz a jerk (well, strong words are used) which makes him sound petty and obnoxious. It's no wonder the producers killed his character off which he then professes to be upset about (pretty sure he loved those checks).
A fine book, and worth reading if you love these shows. This was a talented group of writers and actors who created a cultural phenomenon. Which stands up 20 years later (I should know, I'm in the middle of re-watching both series again now).
A fine book, and worth reading if you love these shows. This was a talented group of writers and actors who created a cultural phenomenon. Which stands up 20 years later (I should know, I'm in the middle of re-watching both series again now).
ruby_roo's review
4.0
I received an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Great for a Buffyverse fanatic like me, plenty of thought provoking and nostalgic essays in here.
Great for a Buffyverse fanatic like me, plenty of thought provoking and nostalgic essays in here.
readingtrying82's review against another edition
4.0
Buffy being my favorite show, and also being a fan of Angel this book was a lot of fun for me. 80% is composed of interviews with the MANY writers who worked on the shows. I was familiar with most of them [a lot went on to write/produce other great shows]. I came to the realization no one writer got the whole show, each had particular aspects[the comedy, certain metaphors or arcs] that they were completely in tune with while other aspects didn’t click with them. Buffy is one of those rare shows where the sum is greater than the parts, and the shows power, depth and fun is greater than any one writer’s vision….which is pretty cool.
Two things kept me from giving the book five stars. One, I wished they had been able to get interviews with more of the actors. Second my views on both shows are different then the authors/editors who made some very generalized assessments which I found to be crazy and occasionally they were wrong about small details.
Still looking forward to reading their oral histories of Star Trek.
Two things kept me from giving the book five stars. One, I wished they had been able to get interviews with more of the actors. Second my views on both shows are different then the authors/editors who made some very generalized assessments which I found to be crazy and occasionally they were wrong about small details.
Still looking forward to reading their oral histories of Star Trek.
mari1532's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
2.5
I was able to obtain access to this book through Audible. I am grateful I attempted this book in this format or I know that I would have given up before I was 20% finished.
The narrators were quite good for this book and I appreciate that here was a female speaker to help differentiate speakers from one another in the text.
I also appreciate all of the direct quotes that the authors were able to obtain and integrate into the stories of “Buffy” and “Angel” as television productions.
That being said this book felt like it was a love letter to Whedon even though there are several stories throughout the book where he does or says something that is not only unprofessional but cruel. Pretending to fire people isn’t funny, giving people work at their wedding isn’t funny, being pissed because an actress started a family isn’t just not funny it’s insane and misogynistic. Again and again quotes were used and the authors expressed Whedon’s work and labeled him a genius without ever discussing how he likely created a very toxic work environment.
In many ways I wish that this book had focused more on the story of the shows development without so much focus on Whedon. Obviously he cannot be written out of the story completely, but it felt that this was a book that focuses 80% of its content on the creator rather than the show.
If you like Buffy and want to hear cast interviews and learn the inter workings of how the shows “Buffy, The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” were created and run there is some interesting information in this book. However, I found that Whedon dominated the focus of the book. Would not recommend.
The narrators were quite good for this book and I appreciate that here was a female speaker to help differentiate speakers from one another in the text.
I also appreciate all of the direct quotes that the authors were able to obtain and integrate into the stories of “Buffy” and “Angel” as television productions.
That being said this book felt like it was a love letter to Whedon even though there are several stories throughout the book where he does or says something that is not only unprofessional but cruel. Pretending to fire people isn’t funny, giving people work at their wedding isn’t funny, being pissed because an actress started a family isn’t just not funny it’s insane and misogynistic. Again and again quotes were used and the authors expressed Whedon’s work and labeled him a genius without ever discussing how he likely created a very toxic work environment.
In many ways I wish that this book had focused more on the story of the shows development without so much focus on Whedon. Obviously he cannot be written out of the story completely, but it felt that this was a book that focuses 80% of its content on the creator rather than the show.
If you like Buffy and want to hear cast interviews and learn the inter workings of how the shows “Buffy, The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” were created and run there is some interesting information in this book. However, I found that Whedon dominated the focus of the book. Would not recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
kirkw1972's review
3.0
The problem with unauthorised books is they never really give the greatest version of a story as everything is gained second hand. This is no exception. Made up from anecdotes and interviews that can be found elsewhere it's quite a comprehensive book that will save a casual fan hours of trawling through the internet for information.
However i suspect the more ardent fans will know it already or have the information stored somewhere themselves. It's probably not the greatest book for the die hard fan but for those with slightly more of a passing interesting it's not a bad read.
Free arc from netgalley
However i suspect the more ardent fans will know it already or have the information stored somewhere themselves. It's probably not the greatest book for the die hard fan but for those with slightly more of a passing interesting it's not a bad read.
Free arc from netgalley
cait's review against another edition
This is literally just a bunch of quotes from a bunch of people about the series. And half these people were not even involved in the franchise.
dgmalcolm's review
2.0
A great concept, poorly executed. Despite occasionally having some interesting or illuminating sections, mostly it’s just dull and repetitive. The balance also seems all wrong: page after page on some often quite niche subjects but then other areas (including several key characters) get short shrift. It’s a shame as I really wanted to enjoy this.