Fandom has never been harmonious. In Fractured Fandoms, CarrieLynn Reinhard explores what happens when fans stop being nice—or were never nice to begin with. Reinhard’s Fractured Fandoms brings a fresh perspective to debates within fan studies by breaking down what it means to be a fan and the processes involved in joining a fandom. Opening up fan studies to new methods and texts, including those from sports, politics, communication studies, and stories of underexplored media, Fractured Fandoms is sure to become a necessary addition to any fan scholar’s library.

Paul Booth, DePaul University

Fractured Fandoms smartly explores what happens when fan culture intersects with “argument culture.” Considering the darker sides of fandom, as well as how negative experiences can sometimes lead to positive narratives of growth, social support and learning, CarrieLynn Reinhard sensitively analyzes fans’ self-interviews. Focusing on the situations and ideologies that are linked to communication fractures, Reinhard argues for increased dialogue wherever possible, setting out a communication toolbox to support dialogic engagements. Fractured Fandoms will no doubt unite scholars and fans—and all hybrids thereof—in impressed, appreciative debate.

Matt Hills, author of Fan Cultures and Triumph of a Time Lord, University of Huddersfield, UK