jenn_sveda's review
4.0
So wild it almost made me want to watch The Bachelor (almost).
I have never been a fan of the show The Bachelor. I have seen the odd episode here or there - my parents and sister are big fans, and the show has often been playing in the same room I am in. I don't really have any special interest in the show, but when I saw this book sitting on a New Nonfiction display at my library, I was too entertained by the title to pass it up. It took me awhile to actually pull it from my towering TBR pile, but once I started this book, I was sucked in.
There is something so genuinely satisfying about listening to people talk about their area of expertise, especially when it's a relatively niche topic and especially when you can tell that it's something they're very passionate about. Coming into this book as a complete novice in the subject of The Bachelor, I was immediately impressed by the thoroughness of this book. From creating a shorthand to discuss the various elements of the game to tracking the statistics of each player, each season across the entirety of BachelorNation, this book is a no-holds-barred analysis of show as a professional sport. The breakdown of the season into preseason, regular season, playoffs, All-Star Games, and postseason was an interesting conceit for this topic. The book was written with a sort of dry, tongue-in-cheek humor that acknowledged the sheer insanity of such an undertaking while still infusing the information with the gravitas afforded to other in-depth sports analyses.
The most disappointing portion of the book comes at the end, when the authors attempt to discuss the problematic nature of the show. I'll be frank - anyone who watches The Bachelor or reads this book should already be well aware that the show is a cesspool of misogyny, colorism, racism, and homophobia. It's trashy reality tv and - as a mainstay of American culture - most audiences are already aware of the pitfalls and shortcomings of this genre of media. That said, the authors take a chapter at the end of the book to point out all these issues, then only discuss a portion of these issues in any kind of detail (specifically racism against black contestants; they do not mention much about the representation of other minorities in the show, or the fact that the first Latino Bachelor was given a Villain Edit by the producers). While I think it is important for the authors to acknowledge the controversial elements of this show (and the wider Bachelor Culture in general), to directly mention multiple issues without addressing most of them weakens the authors' stance that they are fully aware of the ramifications of "being complicit."
Ultimately, there's not too much to say about this book - it was interesting and engaging to me, someone with no Bachelor knowledge and no inclination to participate in the show as an audience member or contestant. I can recognize that not every reader will find it as interesting, as learning an entirely new lexicon for the sole purpose of understanding this book (and knowing no one else will ever use or understand these abbreviations) can be more annoying than exciting to some readers. That said, I may even be tempted to reader their analysis of How to Win the Bachelorette whenever it's published.
I have never been a fan of the show The Bachelor. I have seen the odd episode here or there - my parents and sister are big fans, and the show has often been playing in the same room I am in. I don't really have any special interest in the show, but when I saw this book sitting on a New Nonfiction display at my library, I was too entertained by the title to pass it up. It took me awhile to actually pull it from my towering TBR pile, but once I started this book, I was sucked in.
There is something so genuinely satisfying about listening to people talk about their area of expertise, especially when it's a relatively niche topic and especially when you can tell that it's something they're very passionate about. Coming into this book as a complete novice in the subject of The Bachelor, I was immediately impressed by the thoroughness of this book. From creating a shorthand to discuss the various elements of the game to tracking the statistics of each player, each season across the entirety of BachelorNation, this book is a no-holds-barred analysis of show as a professional sport. The breakdown of the season into preseason, regular season, playoffs, All-Star Games, and postseason was an interesting conceit for this topic. The book was written with a sort of dry, tongue-in-cheek humor that acknowledged the sheer insanity of such an undertaking while still infusing the information with the gravitas afforded to other in-depth sports analyses.
The most disappointing portion of the book comes at the end, when the authors attempt to discuss the problematic nature of the show. I'll be frank - anyone who watches The Bachelor or reads this book should already be well aware that the show is a cesspool of misogyny, colorism, racism, and homophobia. It's trashy reality tv and - as a mainstay of American culture - most audiences are already aware of the pitfalls and shortcomings of this genre of media. That said, the authors take a chapter at the end of the book to point out all these issues, then only discuss a portion of these issues in any kind of detail (specifically racism against black contestants; they do not mention much about the representation of other minorities in the show, or the fact that the first Latino Bachelor was given a Villain Edit by the producers). While I think it is important for the authors to acknowledge the controversial elements of this show (and the wider Bachelor Culture in general), to directly mention multiple issues without addressing most of them weakens the authors' stance that they are fully aware of the ramifications of "being complicit."
Ultimately, there's not too much to say about this book - it was interesting and engaging to me, someone with no Bachelor knowledge and no inclination to participate in the show as an audience member or contestant. I can recognize that not every reader will find it as interesting, as learning an entirely new lexicon for the sole purpose of understanding this book (and knowing no one else will ever use or understand these abbreviations) can be more annoying than exciting to some readers. That said, I may even be tempted to reader their analysis of How to Win the Bachelorette whenever it's published.
swineberg's review
5.0
They did it, folks! As a fan of the Game of Roses podcast, it was striking to read their analysis of and step-by-step strategies for success on The Bachelor without the trappings of GoR.
I expected the book to take more after the podcast: relying on their humor, the interplay of their personalities, the ESPN-esque structure, and the manic energy of their weekly show. But no — this truly is a manual on how the game works, and how to turn it to your advantage. As much as I enjoy their discussion of favorite players or seasons, the book’s focus is a strong point in its favor. Reading their steps for a perfect one-on-one date, for example, I was struck by the simplicity, clarity, and accuracy of their analysis.
Having watched the show a lot (obviously not as much as them)…their identification of the show’s structure and strategies for execution sure seem right!
The final chapter of the book, discussing the audience’s complicity in the patriarchal, racist, misogynistic, structure and underpinnings of the book is a necessary coda. As a fan of something, especially something large, its necessary to reckon with its cultural impact and the message it sends… and for better or for worse, nothing made me understand American culture more than starting to watch the Bachelor.
If you’re at all interested in The Bachelor, or critical analysis of reality TV, or if you like when things are quantified or gamified, give this book a read. And if you know anyone who might go on the show, PLEASE have them read this.
I expected the book to take more after the podcast: relying on their humor, the interplay of their personalities, the ESPN-esque structure, and the manic energy of their weekly show. But no — this truly is a manual on how the game works, and how to turn it to your advantage. As much as I enjoy their discussion of favorite players or seasons, the book’s focus is a strong point in its favor. Reading their steps for a perfect one-on-one date, for example, I was struck by the simplicity, clarity, and accuracy of their analysis.
Having watched the show a lot (obviously not as much as them)…their identification of the show’s structure and strategies for execution sure seem right!
The final chapter of the book, discussing the audience’s complicity in the patriarchal, racist, misogynistic, structure and underpinnings of the book is a necessary coda. As a fan of something, especially something large, its necessary to reckon with its cultural impact and the message it sends… and for better or for worse, nothing made me understand American culture more than starting to watch the Bachelor.
If you’re at all interested in The Bachelor, or critical analysis of reality TV, or if you like when things are quantified or gamified, give this book a read. And if you know anyone who might go on the show, PLEASE have them read this.
lily1304's review
Excellent overview of the gist of Game of Roses style critical analysis of the Bachelor. Probably not remotely interesting to anyone who hasn't seen at least two or three seasons of the Bachelor / the Bachelorette
abbigailmoore's review
Can’t even rate this book because it’s so ridiculous and funny. Although I don’t watch the bachelor anymore, it was cool to hear about the history of it.