Reviews
I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing: Star Wars and the Triumph of Geek Culture, by A. D. Jameson
deanna_etc's review against another edition
2.0
I learned a few things about film lore and geekdom, and it was a light, easy, and charming read.
courtneylee87's review against another edition
2.0
Jameson’s use of familiar examples from Star Wars and other popular fandoms allows him to connect with a wide audience base. This gives the book the feel of having a conversation with a friend who knows a lot about a particular topic. Those who consider themselves geeks or not will find something recognizable in the pages, even if it is just the movie references. There is connectivity and fluidity from chapter to chapter through Jameson’s use of a general timeline, film, book, and other references. He uses his academic background to his advantage, laying out each point of his arguments with substantial supporting evidence. It definitely makes for an interesting read no matter your level of fandom.
That said, however, some readers may find a lack of shared interest due to the primary example of Star Wars. While geek culture is now synonymous with popular culture, not everyone has been on board with it since the beginning. There are those who are more familiar with Lord of the Rings or the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or those who have no interest in Star Wars or Star Trek but still consider themselves to be “geeks”. If a reader is not willing to embrace the primary example and main argument proposed by the author, this book can be a very slow read. Though the title and summary suggest a more broad inclusive of what is considered to be “geek culture”, non-fans of the Star Wars franchise may feel left out of the author’s target audience.
I gave this book a 2-star rating mainly because I felt like I was not the target audience. I learned a lot, but at the same time, I felt left out of the conversation. I consider myself a casual fan of Star Wars, and that could have been the main problem. Also, I just didn't connect with the author's tone throughout the book.
That said, however, some readers may find a lack of shared interest due to the primary example of Star Wars. While geek culture is now synonymous with popular culture, not everyone has been on board with it since the beginning. There are those who are more familiar with Lord of the Rings or the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or those who have no interest in Star Wars or Star Trek but still consider themselves to be “geeks”. If a reader is not willing to embrace the primary example and main argument proposed by the author, this book can be a very slow read. Though the title and summary suggest a more broad inclusive of what is considered to be “geek culture”, non-fans of the Star Wars franchise may feel left out of the author’s target audience.
I gave this book a 2-star rating mainly because I felt like I was not the target audience. I learned a lot, but at the same time, I felt left out of the conversation. I consider myself a casual fan of Star Wars, and that could have been the main problem. Also, I just didn't connect with the author's tone throughout the book.
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