Black Nerd Problems
Essays
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4.7 • 3 Ratings
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
The creators of the popular website Black Nerd Problems bring their witty and unflinching insight to this engaging collection of pop culture essays—on everything from Mario Kart to issues of representation—that “will fill you with joy and give you hope for the future of geek culture” (Ernest Cline, #1 New York Times bestselling author).
When William Evans and Omar Holmon founded Black Nerd Problems, they had no idea whether anyone beyond their small circle of friends would be interested in their little corner of the internet. But soon after launching, they were surprised to find out that there was a wide community of people who hungered for fresh perspectives on all things nerdy.
In the years since, Evans and Holmon have built a large, dedicated fanbase eager for their brand of cultural critiques, whether in the form of a laugh-out-loud, raucous Game of Thrones episode recap or an eloquent essay on dealing with grief through stand-up comedy. Now, they are ready to take the next step with this vibrant and hilarious essay collection, which covers everything from X-Men to Breonna Taylor with “alternately hilarious, thought-provoking, and passionate” (School Library Journal) insight and intelligence.
A much needed and fresh pop culture critique from the perspective of people of color, “this hugely entertaining, eminently thoughtful collection is a master class in how powerful—and fun—cultural criticism can be” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Evans and Holmon, cofounders of the website Black Nerd Problems, bring their pop culture criticism to this wide-ranging, compulsively readable debut collection. Touching on such topics as the hidden depths of boxing-inspired anime Hajime no Ippo, the irony of Hamilton's steep ticket prices, and Game of Thrones's one Black character, Evans and Holman are often hilarious (The Lion King's "Simba... is straight up landfill. Trash. Rubbage") and always original. In addition to straightforward essays, some entries come in the form of high-octane, joyful dialogue between the authors, as in "Two Dope Boys and an—Oh My God, the Flash Got Fucked Up!" for example, in which the authors discuss the Flash: "I ain't ever seen a hero get their body Earth'd like that since Superman's funeral." The most gripping essays use cultural events as an entry point to discuss larger topics: Evans's "The Sobering Reality of Actual Black Nerd Problems" poignantly uses a local comics convention to open a conversation about the ongoing violence against and oppression of Black people, and "Go On: An Evergreen Comedic Series That Helped Me Navigate Loss" sees Holmon processing the grief of his mother's death with the help of a short-lived NBC sitcom. This hugely entertaining, eminently thoughtful collection is a master class in how powerful—and fun—cultural criticism can be.
Customer Reviews
*Slap, Dap, Wakanda Salute*
This book/collection of essays is Lil Wayne Megan Good Lyric!
After reading. I’m Horton when the Mayor has the attention of Whoville to finally introduce them to his elephant friend for the first; at a loss for words.
Well done good men. Well done.