by Jana Riess
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Product Description
What Would Buffy Do? explores the fascinating spiritual, religious, and mythological ideas of television's hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer--from apocalypse and sacrifice to self-reliance, redemption, and the need for humor when fighting our spiritual battles.
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Average Customer Review:
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Insight from Pop Culture!, 2006-02-21
I found in reading this, i not only learned more in depthly about my favorite tv show, but i also learned about myself. Using the techniques used by the author to examine Buffy spiritually, i examined myself. This book was not only enjoyable, but also a learning experiance. By looking deeply into the roots of Buffy and using different religous principles, not only does Buffy make reference to these religions (Christianity, Buddhism, Wiccan among others) but,in part is these religions. Aspects of them all make thier way into the the show's inner most working, and Jana Riess guides you along as you explore how and why. It is my favorite Buffy book by far. It is worth way more than the price. Even non-viewers will profit. You will not be sorry!
3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
 Entertaining, But something's missing, 2004-10-20
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, especially since I was reading it while taking a women in religion class. Many of the topics addressed in this book were addressed in my class, and likewise, many class topics were in the book. However, I do not feel that this book incorporates enough mainstream world religion into its analyses. I feel that the majority of the book correctly analyzes themes of certain Buffy episodes, and includes some great quotes, but doesn't really discuss Buffy's relationship to already standing religions, or a new "buffy" religion.
Basically, this book says "Christianity, buddhism, and hinduism all have these practices that let people be nice to each other. Buffy has these practices too, see?" This book wants us to be nice because Buffy was nice. That's all I got out of it. But it's entertaining and a worthwhile read for Buffy fans.
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
The Weight of the World on Her Spaghetti-Strapped Shoulders, 2004-10-07
It can be a little embarrassing to admit just how many books and articles you have read about the television show, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." If you try to put your enthusiasm into words, people look at you funny. Unless they are one of the lucky ones who have actually seen the show, and then their eyes light up with glee, just like yours. I have read quite a bit about Buffy (but not as much as Jana Riess.) I've certainly read the big three collections of academic essays about the show. "What Would Buffy Do?" is easily the best volume I've come across. It's an instant classic, a small gem of popular culture criticism.
Riess's approach is eclectic, like that of Joseph Campbell. She draws her analysis from all sorts of places: scripture, novels, drama, philosophy, are various religious traditions. Although she depends mostly on Christianity and Buddhism. Anyone who is skeptical that a "mere" TV show can sustain this kind of scrutiny will soon be convinced otherwise by Riess's intelligent, crystal-clear prose and thinking. (This book is a lot of fun to read, unlike some of the other post-modernist essays in the previously mentioned academic collections. They made my little head hurt.) There's an original interview with actress Eliza Dushku, who plays the dirty-girl slayer, Faith. She talks candidly about her experiences working on the show, and her Mormon background.
As one critic put it, "Buffy" is the most religious show on TV, a "secular universe saturated with grace." This book moves from a description of the slayer's personal spirituality, to a consideration of the spirituality of the "Scooby Gang", to an examination of what could be called the show's prophetic themes: saving the world and deliverance from evil. This is a book about pop culture, but it's not "pop" religion. Riess writes seriously and responsibly about eternal subjects. There are chapter length examinations of Buffy as a self-sacrificing savior; death as a gift (a catchphrase all too familiar to Buffyphiles); the power of friendship; and the necessity of going through negative emotions.
It is in the last three chapters that Riess treats Buffy's "prophetic calling." She writes:
"Buffy is a Christ figure, but only insofar as she is constantly averting the apocalypse through self-sacrifice. On Buffy, people atone for their own sins. Redemption is hard work and it us up to us. Redemption is a process requiring action; words are no enough. There's no salvation by grace in the Buffyverse. Angel and other characters find salvation only in work, self-sacrifice, and courageous choices." (pages 119-121, ellipses removed.)
Although a little later Riess does point out that an "unthinkable act of grace" does occur on Christmas Day, in the episode "Amends."
Riess is also very good on "the Monster inside"; that is, the dark part of ourselves we need to acknowledge, and own. (Yes, Jung gets mentioned here a lot.) The very dark and controversial Season Six (which Riess loved, and so do I) was about the Scoobies facing up to their own evil.
"Buffy is all about confronting our dark sides and learning to live comfortably--or at least co-exist nonviolently--with our monster selves. Many people would rather deny their dark shadow, pretend it isn't there. But ignoring it entirely, according to the show, is a dangerous as allowing it to rule our lives. As Willow learns she doesn't have to be a bigger, badder badass than the source of all badness. She needs to control the darkness so it does not control her. In the end she discovers that it's enough just to be Willow, with all of her complexiities, all of her darkness, and her much stonger goodness." (pages 117-118)
This is as workable and humane a defintion of "repentance" as I've ever encountered.
Well, I could go on and on about this wonderful book about a wonderful show, but I won't. All I can say is that Riess in this book sorts through all sorts of spiritual odds and ends and finds what is good and beautiful.
10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Christian Values in Sunnydale?, 2004-09-21
Yes. I am a Christian. I became semi addicted to Buffy and it took me a while to figure out why.
The show has all the elements of actual feelings/growing/exploration that normal kids go through. Spirituality is all through the book. What I liked best is that Good always wins over Evil. There is redemption, there is hope, and there is always a new dawn, with renewed hopes and dreams, just like in real life, sans the vamps and demons.(Although they are here, among us, but in human form - human monsters). We can hold on to our faith and pray that we would have the judgement and perserverence that Buffy shows, thanks to Joss Whedon.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Interesting, if a little moralizing, 2004-09-20
The theme of spirituality in Buffy is taken up well by the author. She explores Buffy and contempory life and attempts to address the way in which Buffy informs or can inform us in everday life (friends, decisions, spirituality etc..). A theme of selflessness and self-accountablity in a (post)modern world make for interesting reading even if does get a bit moralizing at times.
Fans of Buffy will enjoy the season briefings which highlight spiritually problematic issues which our heroine and the scooby gang face as well as some useful references to authors and writings for further reading.
Those new to Buffy .. there is a good overview of characters and episode synopsis to bring you up to date until season 7.
If you are looking for a general fan book and can only afford 1 - I wouldn't buy this one, stick to the watchers guides - but if you are building a library - but this is a good addition as it has some different and interesting things to say.
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