Anyone read Finding Serenity? by Kaylin

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Anyone read Finding Serenity?

POSTED BY: KAYLIN
UPDATED: Saturday, April 22, 2006 06:51
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Sunday, April 9, 2006 1:10 PM

Has anyone read the book finding serenity or even the comic book one about Firefly (I forget the name of it) I was wondering if i should buy them to cherish or just borrow them from my friends....any suggestions?

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 1:35 PM

NEWBROWNCOAT

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaylin:
Has anyone read the book finding serenity or even the comic book one about Firefly (I forget the name of it) I was wondering if i should buy them to cherish or just borrow them from my friends....any suggestions?

I have read Finding Serenity. It is a good book, well worth having. But it might not be for all readers. It is a series of essays written by a number of people connected in one way or another with the Firefly series. Some of the chapters are rather "intellectual" in an academic sense. One chapter I found I had no interest in - it was some type of parody of or comparison between the Enterprise show and Firefly. Since Enterprise is the only Star Trek series I didn't really get interested it, this chapter was of no interest to me either. But on the whole there was much to like about it. Lots of insights and details - heck one of the chapter was written by Jewel. It was great seeing things through her eyes.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading it and also appreciate owning it - it is a piece of the verse - it is also a way to "vote" with my wallet, the only thing the Hollywood types understand anyway ;-)

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 1:50 PM

GREENFAERIE

I am definitely glad I bought it. Some of the essays were outright funny, some were thoughtful, and others enlightening. Very much worth having, as I have gone back to it occasionally for reference.

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 1:53 PM

DONCOAT

Well worth the price for two chapters alone: Jewel's favorite moments from each episode, and translations of all the Chinese phrases. (You may be shocked, shocked I say, at some of those!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't disagree on any particular point.

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 1:54 PM

RMMC

I've also bought Finding Serenity and read it. I can highly recomment it, although as Newbrowncoat pointed out, probably not every article may be to your liking.

One of the articles I found quite depressing and after five pages, decided to give it a miss. I forget which article it was, off hand and can't look to see as I've loaned the book out to a friend.

The article comparing Firefly to The Tick was incredibly amusing.

It also had a nice handy guide to the Chinese phrases in the series, for those who haven't already memorized them.

I'd say, see if one of your local stores has it in, and if so, thumb through it a bit. (I didn't. I saw it, said 'Oooo! Shiny!' And promptly bought it.

)

*****
RMMC

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 2:19 PM

ACRAZYIVAN

I havn't bought Finding Serenity yet (it's on order) but others seem to have covered that. As for your other question, the comic is worth having. I don't have the actual comics, I have the trade paperback. The full title is "Serenity: Those Left Behind." It explains what happens to the Blue-Hand Men, why Shephard Book left Serenity, and even brings back other past characters (don't want to spoil who for you). Anyway, I like the story. It's not quite the same as watching a show, but the drawings are amazingly close to reality. Definitly worth getting.

Keep on flyin'

"We've gotta go to the crappy town where I'm a hero."

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 2:36 PM

KILGORETROUT

Yeah comic is cool worth getting collection really nice intro by nathan but a bit short and just not the same but still worth it.

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 3:16 PM

WILDBILL

On "Finding Serenity" from the guy always willing to disagree with everyone in the room (me): I didn't like it.

Glad I got that off my chest.

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 3:33 PM

NUCLEARDAY

Yeah, Finding Serenity I thought was a good find. (And I rather enjoyed the Enterprise/ Firefly comparison. Rather hi-larious, I thought :) Some of the essays are rather academic, but I thought it also did a good job of showing multiple viewpoits on some of the topics (not enough vs too much feminism in the show, for example.)

Loved the comic, too. It's worst quality is the fact that it's so gorramn short. But there's definately quite a few 'Firefly' moments and helps fill the gap 'tween the series and the BDM.

________________________________________________
You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 4:43 PM

NOSADSEVEN

Well, you should at least purchase the comic/TPB, as it is officially licensed merchandise, and therefore, a portion of the money goes back to those deciding whether or not to fund more Serenity (in any format) for the future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ain't. We. Just.

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 5:08 PM

RKLENSETH

It is also part of the storyline which is another good reason to buy it as you won't know what happened to certain characters and won't know of certain events that happened between Firefly and Serenity that might come up later in other things.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 5:35 PM

SEBA

Bought it. Read it. Liked it. :)

As for the comics, get the trade paperback to support the 'verse, but don't expect too much -- if you're not into comics, it's not going to do much to get you into them, as it's pretty terrible as far as comics go.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 3:59 AM

DAYVE

I loaned my copy of Finding Serenity about 4 months ago - it is making the rounds on a college campus, so i don't expect to get it back.... that's shiny though, i ordered a couple more from Amazon and will loan them out too if asked.

For me, just about anything dealing with Firefly or Serenity is worth the money, less'n o'course i have a powerful need to eat sometime this month......

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 8:54 AM

JONESTEIN

I've got and like 'em both. Will you like them? As some folks have already mentioned, it depends on your tastes and how much of the 'Verse you want to immerse yourself into.

I liked most of "Finding Serenity", especially the Enterprise-Firefly parody and the "Who Killed Firefly" essay. Some folks may find the whole thing a bit too analytical, but I happen to like that kind of thing. My non-coat friends think I'm insane for being this interested in a TV show.

I liked the comic book, but I like comic books. If you aren't into comic books, you probably won't get much out of it other than some story fill-in between the series and BDM. I would have liked to seen a better story in it though...but like someone mentioned earlier in this thread, I'll take any piece of the 'Verse I can get.

If you are the analytical type and are in to Buffy and Angel, I also recommend "Seven Season of Buffy" and "Five Seasons of Angel", both are collections of essays about the two shows by the same publisher of "Finding Serenity".

All of the above are available via Amazon.

-Jonestein
*************************************
OPERATIVE: ...and I'm unarmed.
MAL: Good.
(BLAM!)

FIGHT TO RE-LIGHT!!
www.browncoatsriseagain.com
www.texasbrowncoats.com
www.fortworthbrowncoats.com

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Monday, April 17, 2006 10:26 PM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

I read it just recently. I think it's rather interesting that there are back-to-back essays about the role of women in the show. One pretty much says the verse belongs to the gals, and the next one talks about what a sexist show it is. Weird. I really liked most of the essays, though. Some were funny and brilliant, some were historical and brilliant, some were analitical and brilliant. Some weren't so brilliant, but you know. I particularly liked the one that gave the history of spiritual "whoring". The original prostitutes were, in fact, priestesses who granted access to the Goddess through their bodies and generally got a gift in return. Really facinating stuff. Historical and analitical and brilliant. Had to watch "Heart of Gold" again right after I read it.
Anyone else have favorite essays?

*************************************************
One day.
One plan.
One army of Browncoats.

On June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 4:34 AM

DAVESHAYNE

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaylin:
Has anyone read the book finding serenity or even the comic book one about Firefly (I forget the name of it) I was wondering if i should buy them to cherish or just borrow them from my friends....any suggestions?

Borrow them from your friend. And then when you like them you can run out and buy them to cherish. I bought both because I didn't have anybody to borrow them from but I would by them again (and in the case of the comics I have - three times

)

David

"A lot of people are asking me, you know, what exactly is Firefly? It's a tv show you morons!" - Joss Whedon

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 4:39 AM

DAVESHAYNE

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
Anyone else have favorite essays?

Jewel's piece at the end of the book is great. As are all of the Trek inspired essays.

And the one by John C. Wright is fun to read just to point out how increadibly wrong he is, not so much in his conclusions (though I think he misses it there as well) as in his facts. One of these days I am going to to have to write a lengthy and oh so detailed rebutal.

David

"A lot of people are asking me, you know, what exactly is Firefly? It's a tv show you morons!" - Joss Whedon

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 7:10 AM

FREDGIBLET

I am in the middle of FS and I like it so far, suggest you buy.

As for the comic...it was OK. The art was decent but the story was a little lacking IMHO, it seems to me that the comic was made only to fill the gap between the show and the movie, with no extra stuff. I also think that the bringing back of an old character was really dumb (when you read it you will know who I'm talking about). Anyways, I suggest you borrow the comic.

So to summarize: buy the book, borrow the comic.

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 7:39 AM

DECLAN

Quote:
Originally posted by nuclearday:
Yeah, Finding Serenity I thought was a good find. (And I rather enjoyed the Enterprise/ Firefly comparison. Rather hi-larious, I thought :)

Warning: Don't be drinking coffee while reading THIS essay. It is snort out of the nose funny.

And you should probably read it in private. When I started laughing hysterically at the punchline, my family starting looking at me funny and wondering if there was a good Alliance care facility nearby. ;)

Anyone have a similar reaction?

***************
"'Course, there are other schools of thought."

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 7:39 AM

DECLAN

Quote:
Originally posted by nuclearday:
Yeah, Finding Serenity I thought was a good find. (And I rather enjoyed the Enterprise/ Firefly comparison. Rather hi-larious, I thought :)

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 8:36 AM

ANNMTM

Declan-

I had the exact same experience. My family kept looking at me as if I'd lost my mind. Loved the essay. I enjoyed most of the book. One of the essays on the women made me wonder if that person and I had watched the same show. Amazing how differently something can be interpreted.

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 11:33 AM

KAYLIN

Thanks everyone for your responses....I think i'll buy them both! :) Looking forward to reading them!

Kaylin

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 2:09 PM

GRIZWALD

Question on a related topic: Is the RPG book considered canonical?

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 4:42 PM

BELOWZERO

Quote:
Originally posted by wildbill:
On "Finding Serenity" from the guy always willing to disagree with everyone in the room (me): I didn't like it.

Glad I got that off my chest.

What didn't you like about it?

There were definitely things I thought too boring to read, and such, and things I totally disagreed with, but on the whole I thought it was worth it for Jewel's bit alone!

"Do not go gentle into that good night....
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. . ."
--Dylan Thomas

Though my soul may set in darkness
It will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night.

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Wednesday, April 19, 2006 5:01 AM

DONCOAT

Quote:
Originally posted by Grizwald:
Question on a related topic: Is the RPG book considered canonical?

The authors of the book say, basically, no.

They tried to make everything in the book fit with the series and what they knew about the BDM (though there were a few small changes between the finalization of the RPG book and the final cut of the BDM). However, they extended and fleshed things out a bit, and they have stated that they don't expect Joss to be bound by any of these extensions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't disagree on any particular point.

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Wednesday, April 19, 2006 5:55 AM

KAYLEESTHEGREATEST

I have not read finding serenity but i did buy the novilisation of the movie and I have read twice already and i am currently reading it a third. its like taking the movie anywhere

Someday the verse will spit in your soup but at least they gave you soup.
one day
one plan
one mission
one army of browncoats
june 23rd serenity day

-Our mission as browncoats is to make us known.

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Wednesday, April 19, 2006 5:55 AM

KAYLEESTHEGREATEST

whats bdm

Someday the verse will spit in your soup but at least they gave you soup.
one day
one plan
one mission
one army of browncoats
june 23rd serenity day

-Our mission as browncoats is to make us known.

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Wednesday, April 19, 2006 6:07 AM

DAVESHAYNE

Quote:
Originally posted by kayleesthegreatest:
whats bdm

Big Damn Movie. You know 'cause it has our Big Damn Heroes in it.

David

"Not completely as well as the series of Firefly..." - From a review at amazon.de

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Saturday, April 22, 2006 12:34 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:

And the one by John C. Wright is fun to read just to point out how increadibly wrong he is, not so much in his conclusions (though I think he misses it there as well) as in his facts. One of these days I am going to to have to write a lengthy and oh so detailed rebutal.

Yeah, he couldn't keep his facts straight at all. I don't understand how it was called "well-reasoned" in the little introduction before it. Though I do agree with the "made me angry" part of said introduction. He obviously watched the show once, with his brain only half on. It frustrated me to read some of his errors, not to mention his (to me) absolutely ridiculous opinions. His is not an essay I'm interested in reading twice.

*************************************************
One day.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

On June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

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Saturday, April 22, 2006 12:50 AM

TAYEATRA

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
Anyone else have favorite essays?

Absolutely loved the Jubal Early letters from Fox chapter. ROTFLMAO!

Utter genius. I can't tell you how many times I've re-read that. I also found the Jewel section good.

As for the comics mine are still on order. They're a nightmare to get hold of in the UK.

Taya

Dark Angel, Firefly, Buffy, Angel, Enterprise, Farscape... anything else you'd like to cancel?

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Saturday, April 22, 2006 2:34 AM

LOKI1OF4

Worth the purchase oh yes I got it for Christmas and whilt watching our fav show will reference it for the Chinese explicitaves heh heh heh

Hell I'm a fan o all seven

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Saturday, April 22, 2006 4:10 AM

DAVESHAYNE

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
He obviously watched the show once

It's more basic than that. He seems to be woefully ignorant of the history of science fiction. Ignorant enough that i wonder how much he's actually seen (and more importantly read.) And since his credentials are tainted on both FF and scifi in general I'd be willing to believe he's never really seen a western either.

But like I sadi the essay demands detailed rebutal and I just haven't found the time and inner calm to do it.

David

"Not completely as well as the series of Firefly..." - From a review at amazon.de

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Saturday, April 22, 2006 4:24 AM

JMB9039

I have yet to read Finding Serenity - although I heard from a collegue that it was great.

The comic... well, a good read, I guess... I've never been a fan of comics only because they seem (for me) to lack depth... I know I'm going to get a lashing for that one. Be kind.

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Saturday, April 22, 2006 5:16 AM

DAVESHAYNE

Quote:
Originally posted by jmb9039:
I have yet to read Finding Serenity - although I heard from a collegue that it was great.

The comic... well, a good read, I guess... I've never been a fan of comics only because they seem (for me) to lack depth... I know I'm going to get a lashing for that one. Be kind.

Many comics do lack depth. As do many TV shows, many movies, many books, many songs, many.... You get the picture. Comics done well can be just as deep and engaging as any other medium.

David

"Not completely as well as the series of Firefly..." - From a review at amazon.de

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Saturday, April 22, 2006 6:51 AM

JMB9039

Yeah, I know. I might just not be particular to the medium of comics. I'm not trying to knock them, just not something I get into.

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