Into Every Generation a Slayer Is Born

January 10, 2022
In this entertaining debut, pop culture critic Katz makes a convincing case for why 25 years on, Buffy the Vampire Slayer “remains one of the best television series of all time.” Self-annointed as the “world’s preeminent Sarah Michelle Gellar historian,” Katz asserts that, in addition to indelibly shaping the landscape of modern-day television, the seven-year series “changed lives”—and also ruined a few. As he writes, “to love Buffy is to both contextualize and reexamine it.” Delivering on that, he explores the show’s enduring feminist narrative and the impact it had on other die-hard fans—such as Stacey Abrams, who, in an interview with Katz, praises Buffy for “grappl with the contours of power.” Meanwhile, another fan highlights how Buffy’s “experience of otherness” and ability to flourish and find community helped many embrace their own stories; echoing this, Katz movingly reflects how the show gave him “a sense of strength... throughout a youth in which I often felt powerless; it even helped me come to terms with my sexuality.” Still, he doesn’t shy away from problematic issues with the show, sharply critiquing its lack of racial diversity as well as abuse allegations about its writer Joss Whedon (“It’s always the quiet ones, isn’t it?”). Mixing keen cultural analysis, wit, and an obsessive’s zeal, this will have fans riveted.

Starred review from February 1, 2022
In honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the debut of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003), Katz pays tribute to the iconic show, its eponymous heroine, the gifted actress who brought her to life, and its enduring legacy in this tantalizing and thoroughly engaging tome. Katz mines interviews old and new from the cast, crew, and writers to walk readers through the behind-the-scenes of the show's seven seasons and to delve into what made it so iconic, from the fashions to the quotably quippy dialogue. Katz doesn't shy away from the controversy that has complicated the show's standing, namely, the numerous misconduct allegations against creator Joss Whedon. In the candid interviews he conducted, Katz is able to draw out specifics about Whedon's behavior on set as well as dispel some of the misconceptions about star Sarah Michelle Gellar, whose professionalism and work ethic were often misconstrued as being difficult. Though much has been written about the seminal show, fans who are wrestling with the fallout of Whedon's behavior will find new information here, along with a celebration of many significant ways Buffy the Vampire Slayer shaped the culture and provides solace and inspiration to many of its fans. A loving look at an influential show.

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Starred review from June 1, 2022

Writer and podcast host Katz presents a deep, deep dive into the history of the pop culture phenomenon TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer that includes analysis of its legacy and interviews with cast, crew, and big-name fans. This exhaustively researched book takes readers on a journey through reporting, biography, and memoir to the heart of the enduring love the fandom has for Buffy. Organized at first around the chronological progression from mediocre action flick to a season-by-season breakdown, the book is interspersed with asides and witticisms that entertain as well as bridge themes and interweave facts. The later section, about controversies and legacies, is approached with skill and empathy. VERDICT Katz's writing captures his own voice so well that his audiobook narration is pitch-perfect. A first purchase for nonfiction audio collections.--Chrystopher Lytal

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