Buffy Studies

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has become very popular with academics and cultural commentators alike because of the way it invites analysis and interpretation at both text and sub-textual levels, challenges stereotypes, and provides insight into cultural issues such as the law and justice, moral issues and gender roles all the while centring around characters that develop and change permanently in response to what they experience as events of the series unfold. There is a number of very interesting, academically inclined publications that investigate and discuss various aspects of Buffy. Here is a few that I’ve read and a few thoughts on them.

· Buffy the Vampire Slayer: a critical reading of the series by Anne Billson (2005) British Film Institute: London
This is a really good read that is basically a personal response to Buffy in which the author talks about why she loves the show, and a few things that she doesn’t like (mostly Reilly, Tara and Dawn). There is a really great chapter about the progression of female heroes that points out that Buffy’s arrival was pretty much overdue and it was about time that a female hero was allowed to be a girl and kick ass too.

· European Journal of Cultural Studies (2005) Vol.8 (3)
This is an issue devoted entirely to the character of Spike. There are some really excellent articles covering topics such as how the canon of vampire literature has influenced the character of Spike, character readings and analysis and James Marsters interpretation of the character. This is full of a lot of insightful, mostly (but not entirely) sympathetic readings of Spike that provides plenty of food for thought about one of the most intriguing characters in the Buffyverse. Access may be an issue, but try a university library catalogue.

· Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale edited by James B. South (2003), Carus Publishing Company: Illinois
As the name suggests, this text takes a philosophical approach to Buffy and provides interesting and challenging analysis based on a number of philosophical frames. Can be a bit heavy going at timesand an understanding of philosophy is helpful.

· Lydia Chalmer’s Thesis on William the Bloody
In the episode ‘Checkpoint’ a member of the Watchers Council tells Spike that she wrote her thesis on him. Various writes (many associated with the Tea at the Ford website) collaborated to produce this piece of pseudo-academic fun that explores the history of William the Bloody.
http://www.channelingboards.com/SpikeThesis/spikethesis.pdf

· Sex and the Slayer: a gender studies primer for the Buffy fan by Lorna Jowett (2005) Wesleyan University Press
This text examines Buffy the Vampire Slayer from the perspective of gender. It provides an excellent introduction to the practice of using gender as a framework for reading and analysing texts and offers insights into feminist and masculine critical theory through alternative character readings. Here is a link to an in-depth customer review of this book from Amazon. Simply scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the review by Robert Moore:
http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Slayer-Gender-Studies-Primer/dp/0819567582

· Televised Morality: The case of Buffy the vampire slayer by Gregory Stevenson (2004) Hamilton Books.
This is a book that I really enjoyed and found to be an excellent companion to the series. Buffy has often been criticised by family and conservative Christian groups for content featured on the show (such as homosexuality and sexual relationships) but this book, written by a theologian and self-confessed fan of the series reveals that, in fact, Buffy is a highly moralistic show that explores many of the moral quandaries experienced by people in everyday life. It’s also heartening to find that there are Christians, other than myself, who appreciate the program, learn from it and are not so narrow-minded and fearful of alternative perspectives that challenge their own. While I don’t agree with all Stevenson’s readings of the text, it is certainly insightful, informative and well worth reading.

· Slayage: the online journal of buffy studies and Watcher Junior
Slayage is an excellent online journal that specialises in all things Buffy, Angel and Firefly. Still in publication, it offers a range of readings and perspectives on the program that are always interesting and very often challenging. There is a link to Slayage in my links section. Watcher Junior is a journal aimed at undergraduates. I’m not sure if its still in publication as there are only two issues, here is the link: http://www.watcherjunior.tv/

· Seven Seasons of Buffy: science fiction and fantasy writers discuss their favourite television show edited by Glenn Yeffeth (2003) BenBella Books: Dallas
This book is a mixed bag. There are many and varied personal responses to the series that provide plenty of scope for argument, because most of the readings are intensely personal. Some of the chapters, each written by a different sci-fi/fantasy author, are quite humorous while others, I was left wondering if the author had been watching the same television show as me. Still worth a look though.

· Reading the Vampire Slayer: the new, updated unofficial guide to Buffy and Angel edited by Roz Kaveney
A collection of essays discussing a range of subjects relating to Buffy and Angel. It’s been a while since I read this one but I think, if I remember correctly, the chapter by Justine Larbalestier about heterosexuality and sex in BTVS was particularly good. I think a lot of the essays featured in this book have been published in Slayage as well.

· Tea at the Ford
This is probably my favourite Buffy/Angel resource. It is a collection writings and analysis of episodes, characters, themes and issues that are confronted in the Buffyverse. Although the articles and writings are fan generated they are incredibly insightful, well informed and well written. Articles on the site can change your mind about events and characters, clarify thoughts and enhance appreciation and understanding of the series in its entirety. The site is (I think) an archive of the members publications and also of others responses to those publications. The contributors have in-depth knowledge of mythical, mystic, literary, and cultural realms and utilise these in discussion of Buffy and Angel. Link provided in my links section. Check it out!