I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and publisher Riverdale Avenue Books in exchange for an honest review.
So the first thing I would like to say about this book is that it is a guide and not any kind of deep analysis. I was initially disappointed by this but I realised it was my own expectations causing that disappointment and so I think it's important that as a reader going in, you are not expecting any kind of detailed essay format. The second thing I would like to say is I really enjoyed it.
This is a fun, short guide to every episode of Black Mirror, with the bulk of the content being episode summaries and there being some additional commentary at the end in the form of four short chapters/sections. It is clearly written by a fan and it was nice to relive the episodes in this way. It definitely made me want to rewatch the show and experience it anew.
There is brief discussion of the themes/purpose of each episode but I found this very limited. I think I noticed it most for USS Callister and Striking Vipers where there is barely a mention of any feminist/sexual/queer themes despite those being huge parts of those episodes. Perhaps the author thought these were too obvious to mention but it felt odd to read about a lack of STDs in videogame encounters in Striking Vipers being appealing while the incredibly complex relationship in that episode is brushed over. As I said, deep analysis is not promised or expected here but there is an attempt on commentary and this sometimes falls flat.
Having said that, the main joy of this book is the enthusiasm of the author. It is clear which episodes the author likes the most and it's always nice to read about a TV show from the point of view of someone who does genuinely love it. I read this book almost entirely in one sitting and it was a wonderful experience, so if you are a fan of the show then I strongly recommend checking this out.
Overall Rating:
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