Bridget Kies

Fandom, the Next Generation, edited by Bridget Kies and Megan Connor, is an insightful collection of essays addressing inter and cross generational fanhood.

While this is an academic work it is also quite accessible for anyone interested in the topic. Because the general area is still relatively new and the specific subarea of generational fanhood is even newer, each essay offers an explanation of the methodology used. This leads to some repetition for those who used similar methods, it is also essential since there is no single accepted way to do this research. For those reading because they are fans rather than academics, these explanations help to make each essay much clearer.

For the fan, the essays that apply to your particular fandom will be the most interesting but for the academic (or former in my case) each essay offers insight into the phenomenon of fanhood. Some will speak more directly to the reader's particular interest but all offer insight into both the specific fandom being looked at as well as fandom in general.

There were several that stood out for me because of my interests but I learned so much from each and every one. I was a little put off by the way one researcher chose to write up the research. This is more a case of form rather than content. She opted to state what she posited then gave the research that supported it. The problem for me is that doing so almost makes it sound like the evidence might have been cherry-picked, whereas if research is given then the theses posited comes from that research, it appears more solid. Stating broad hypotheses at the beginning of an essay is one thing, to preface every bit of research with a personal statement of what the researcher is positing just looks shady. I am not saying that there was any cherry-picking, I am talking about presenting research in a manner that doesn't encourage (usually subconsciously) whether the information the reader is given is really complete or just what supports the researcher's aims.

That one essay aside (and I still found it interesting, it just rubbed me the wrong way) I would highly recommend this to both the academic and the casual reader with an interest in fandom. For those considering research in the area this is an excellent book that offers superb examples.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (mehr)