''Finding Serenity: Anti-heroes, Lost Shepherds and Space Hookers in Joss Whedon's Firefly'' is a compilation of essays edited by
Jane Espenson
Jane Espenson (born July 14, 1964) is an American television writer and producer.
Espenson has worked on both situation comedies and serial dramas. She had a five-year stint as a writer and producer on ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and shared a ...
with Glenn Yeffeth. The book was released in late 2004 following the cancellation of the television show ''
Firefly''. Jane Espenson was a writer for the show and the book contains a series of essays that discuss the show from a variety of viewpoints, some scholarly, others with a comedic note.
As well as answering unresolved plotlines and character arcs, the compilation includes insight into the filming of each episode with actress
Jewel Staite
Jewel Belair Staite (born June 2, 1982) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her roles as Kaylee Frye in the Fox television series ''Firefly'' (2002–2003) and its spin-off theatrical film '' Serenity'' (2005), and as Jennifer Keller on Sc ...
(who played the role of
Kaylee Frye
This page lists characters from the television series ''Firefly''.
Major characters Malcolm Reynolds
Malcolm Reynolds ("Mal"), played by Nathan Fillion, is owner and captain of the Firefly-class spaceship ''Serenity'', and was a volunteer in t ...
on the show) providing a commentary on each of the episodes produced. Due to ''Fireflys early demise it left viewers with unanswered questions and a certain sense of loss. The essays attempt to resolve the unanswered questions brought up in the show, ranging from the origin of the
Reavers, the multi-racial casting, and the use of the Chinese language. Some essays are
existentialist
Existentialism ( ) is a form of philosophical inquiry that explores the problem of human existence and centers on human thinking, feeling, and acting. Existentialist thinkers frequently explore issues related to the meaning, purpose, and value ...
, seeking to define what freedom meant for each member of the crew, a theme that
Joss Whedon seemed to be exploring. Others focus on the changing nature of sexual relationships in Whedon's vision of the future.
It was followed by ''Serenity Found: More Unauthorized Essays on Joss Whedon's Firefly Universe'' in November 2007 by the same editor, including contributions by actor
Nathan Fillion
Nathan Fillion (; born March 27, 1971) is a Canadian-American actor. He played the leading roles of Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds on '' Firefly'' and its film continuation '' Serenity'', and Richard Castle on '' Castle''. , he was starring as J ...
(
Malcolm Reynolds
Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds is a fictional character and the protagonist of the ''Firefly'' franchise. Mal is played by actor Nathan Fillion in the 2002 TV series ''Firefly'' and the 2005 film '' Serenity''. In the series, Mal is a former Browncoat s ...
in the series) and science-fiction author
Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card (born August 24, 1951) is an American writer known best for his science fiction works. He is the first and (as of 2022) only person to win both a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award in consecutive years, winning both awards for both ...
.
Firefly (franchise)
Books about television
2004 non-fiction books
BenBella Books books
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