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raggedyem's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
This is not a book about Bigfoot :(
cafffine's review
2.5
I enjoyed how this delved into the links between conspiracy theorists, paranormal believers, and right wing extremists - also the inclusion of native american perspectives was super insightful - but I honestly think it could have gone a lot deeper into these political worldviews that were being discussed, especially the ‘left-wing’ side of things. Yes, working class, white conservatives are drawn to, and take strange comfort in theories like bigfoot, but the reasoning behind ‘liberal’ engagement with conspiracy theories, or the neoliberal tolerance of conservative violence and racism in order to ‘keep the peace’ or just ‘enjoy bigfoot’ was such a huge question I was left with.
I don’t know, the author had a lot of bland jokes to make about Trump - which, fine, fuck Trump and all - but then would also take low shots at the defund the police movement?? Was the thesis here that conservative politics are dangerous and genuinely harmful, or simply that they ruin other peoples fun sometimes. Because there’s a big difference there.
I don’t know, the author had a lot of bland jokes to make about Trump - which, fine, fuck Trump and all - but then would also take low shots at the defund the police movement?? Was the thesis here that conservative politics are dangerous and genuinely harmful, or simply that they ruin other peoples fun sometimes. Because there’s a big difference there.
jenniferbbookdragon's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
O'Connor spent a year researching Bigfoot, from reading historical documents, literature, and contemporary articles to attending gatherings of Bigfooters. He discusses the mythology, geography, sociology, and philosophy of people who have reported sitings and belong to groups that search for the mysterious creatures. O'Connor also went on hiking and camping trips to areas with reported Bigfoot sitings and interviewed experts in wildlif and ecosystems in these places. He treats everyone fairly, while acknowledging the biases and lack of conclusive evidence that fail to discourage believers in the Bigfooter community.
enidcoleslaw's review
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I didnt find the author incredibly annoying. Usage of the word “wokester” and of Trump more times than was necessary. Obvious that he’s obsessed with the classic male canon which I feel was limiting to his exploration of the culture around bigfoot.
Gripes aside, the journalism was solid (although lackluster in attempts to reach indigenous tribes), the pacing was good, and the book delved in a lot of unexpected places that I appreciated. I wish this were better than it is but I do not regret reading it.
Gripes aside, the journalism was solid (although lackluster in attempts to reach indigenous tribes), the pacing was good, and the book delved in a lot of unexpected places that I appreciated. I wish this were better than it is but I do not regret reading it.
elyssam's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
Too many tangents that made sense when connecting back to the main topic, but would have been better if condensed. I also thought the breakdown of the “venn diagram” of Bigfoot believers really erased many worldwide cultural stories and myths as well as the beliefs of those indigenous to the Americas. So why did that point come up again and again?
audreylee's review
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Conversational and fun but weirdly political.
rld1727's review
3.75
Like the other reviews mention, there’s a lot of talk about Trump, COVID, and other major 2020-era landmarks, so many in the beginning that I felt it really took away from my reading experience (and I say that coming from a similar viewpoint to the author). I actually almost gave up, and then the book started to get more into the history of the Bigfoot legends, and started to ground the social commentary to the main theme in a way that made sense—almost like if that part of the book had come first, I wouldn’t have found the initial references so distracting.
A lot more about Bigfoot’s origins as a social phenomenon than a folklore history (although plenty of discussion of indigenous legends with similar-feeling entities), so not quite what I was hoping for, but an interesting read overall.
A lot more about Bigfoot’s origins as a social phenomenon than a folklore history (although plenty of discussion of indigenous legends with similar-feeling entities), so not quite what I was hoping for, but an interesting read overall.