Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Stillwater Public Library | 814.6 SCA | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Reviews (3)
Kirkus Review
Marking the 20th anniversary of his blog, the bestselling science-fiction author gathers posts from 2013 to 2018.Scalzi (Head On, 2018, etc.) is never shy about speaking his mind. A socially liberal independent and self-declared "Rockefeller Republican" who no longer votes for the GOP on the national ticket, he includes several posts on the buildup to the 2016 election as well as some composed during the Donald Trump era. The previously topical pieces, particularly those written when it was assumed that Hillary Clinton would become president, taste bitter and are not exactly useful now that their moment has passed. But there are also a number of strong posts on being a feminist ally and the evils of harassment, assault, and prejudice of all kinds. (His 2014 post on Jian Ghomeshi has taken on fresh relevance now that the disgraced Canadian media personality has resurfaced.) The other posts filling out the book include film reviews and musings on pop culture; anecdotes from Scalzi's past that express his deep love for his family, friends, and felines; and some extremely useful bits of life advice sparked by current events (the one about how to make a sincere apology is particularly clear and helpful). The author is skilled at distilling liberal anger into cogent arguments and talking points. Sadly, his posts regarding politics in the science-fiction community have been omitted from the book. Perhaps he doubted their wide appeal, but given that his readers are likely part of that community, it seems a shame that he failed to include any of those posts, particularly the ones regarding harassment at conventions, which many regard as helping to set new policy. The blog-post format can also feel abrupt on the printed page. However, what the book suggests is that it would be interesting to see Scalzi write a series of long-form, wider-ranging essays on evergreen topics. Perhaps he might also share more about his writing process.Of interest, if a bit warmed over and not entirely satisfying at times. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Virtue Signaling is the fifth collection of essays from Scalzi's (The Consuming Fire, 2018) blog of 20 years, Whatever. These 100-plus essays are pulled from entries that ran from 2013-18 by the self-described explicitly commercial writer. Scalzi does not shy away from using the blog to share his opinions on politics and culture, particularly President Trump, the NRA, activism, privilege, and why avoiding controversy is a bad idea for a creative individual. He also includes thought-provoking essays on other subjects such as censorship, free speech, satire, social media, and being a creative professional. He challenges readers to not just examine what they do or don't like but to look closer at why. Also included are a useful list of standard responses to online stupidity, when and how to make a proper apology, and his personal history with libraries. The quick, conversational essays are delivered with humor, honestly, and humility and are just like Scalzi himself, all over the place and a bit pixilated. --Terrence Miltner Copyright 2018 Booklist
Library Journal Review
"Virtue signaling," as described by Hugo Award-nominated Scalzi (The Consuming Fire) is "discount[ing] other people expressing the idea that it would be nice if we could all be essentially and fundamentally decent to each other," of which the author himself is infrequently accused. The book collects essays posted on Scalzi's blog Whatever, covering a particularly turbulent half-decade in America and elsewhere. The expected topics-Obama, Trump, #MeToo-are given thorough deconstruction and commentary via Scalzi's cutting (but always humane) humor and intelligence. Whether one agrees with his observations and/or findings, they're refreshingly well informed. Aside from pointing out positives, negatives, and frivolity attendant to such matters, the entries chronicle an ever-increasing sense of hostility and fragmentation across Internet culture and into workaday life. Taken from the perspective of a reasonably successful author living in small-town Ohio, this strikes a note of concern: but Scalzi's calls to action lay bare a global erosion of common sense and-worse-empathy. VERDICT A provocative, enjoyable collection for long-standing and new Scalzi readers alike.-William Grabowski, McMechen, WV © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
