Fan Identities in the Furry Fandom

(Hardback)

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Description

Although definition can vary, to be a Furry, a person identifies with an animal as part of their personality; this can be on a mystical/religious level or a psychological level. In modern Western society having a spirit animal or animal identity can sometimes be framed as social deviance rather than religious or totemic diversity. Jessica Ruth Austin investigates how Furries use the online space to create a Furry identity. She argues that for highly identified Furries, posthumanism is an appropriate framework to use. For less identified Furries, who are more akin to fans, fan studies literature is used to conceptualise their identity construction. This book argues that the Furries are not a homogenous group and with varying levels of identification within the fandom, so shows that negative media representations of the Furry Fandom have wrongly pathologized the Furries as deviants as opposed to fans.

Reviews

Jessica Austin's Fan Identities in the Furry Fandom thoughtfully and thoroughly unpacks one of the most misunderstood and mischaracterized fandoms: Furries. By exploring the anthropomorphic nature of these fans in fursuits, Austin deftly nuances the Furry fandom through both posthuman philosophy and fan studies. Whether Furry hobbyist, lifestylist, or interested party, Fan Identities in the Furry Fandom will appeal to readers of all species. * Paul Booth, Professor of Communication, DePaul University, USA *
Fan Identities in the Furry Fandom provides a great first in-depth look at the world of furry fandom and identity. Austin takes pride in her work and is respectful of the fandom and in her research. It breaks down the oft-misunderstood fandom and explains it to those who may not be familiar with it. This book builds a foundation on which, I hope, more research on furry fandoms is built. * Julia E. Largent, Assistant Professor of Communication, McPherson College, USA *

Author Bio

Jessica Ruth Austin lectures at Anglia Ruskin University, UK, in the English language department and within film and media studies.