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Twin Peaks FAQ: All That's Left to Know About a Place Both Wonderful and Strange
(FAQ). Twin Peaks, the infamously strange, seductive, and confounding murder mystery that made network television safe for surrealism, is returning to the small screen after 25 years. Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, the series enjoys a hallowed standing in popular culture and remains a touchstone in the evolution of TV as an artistic medium. For its many intensely devoted fans, Twin Peaks continues to beguile and disturb and delight; it's a bottomless well of allusions, symbols, conundrums to ponder and images to unpack, an endlessly engrossing puzzle box, an obsessive's dream. Twin Peaks FAQ will guide longtime fans and the newly initiated through the origins of the series, take them behind the scenes during its production, and transport readers deep into the rich mythology that made Twin Peaks a cultural phenomenon. The book features detailed episode guides, character breakdowns, and explorations of the show's distinctive music, fashion, and locations. With a sometimes snarky, always thoughtful (but never dry or academic) analysis of Twin Peaks ' myriad oddities, mysteries, references, and delicious insanity, Twin Peaks FAQ is a comprehensive, immersive, and irresistible reference for experts and newbies alike.
- GenresNonfiction
374 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 24, 2017
I'm a late comer to the TWIN PEAKS franchise since, well, I was twelve years old when the show was initially on the air and it wasn't until recently that I was able to watch it on Netflix. Nevertheless, I have since retroactively devoured a lot of the fandom and its lore. It was a show that had a big effect on my writing and helped create my Esoterrorism, I was a Teenaged Weredeer, and Rules of Supervillainy series.
The TWIN PEAKS FAQ sets itself up as the definitive resource on the Twin Peaks series with an episode guide of the show, analysis of the characters, and discussion of both behind-the-scenes as well as on-screen drama. It's more hit than miss, though there's quite a bit of miss in the latter half of the book.
Basically, when David Bushman is discussing how the show was made or events from the show then he's doing fine. The production was fairly fascinating by itself with a link between Hollywood's favorite surealist and a soap opera writer teaming up to create a megablockuster show which quickly fizzled out but lived on as a cult-classic. We also get discussion of the failed indie movie FIRE WALK WITH ME. David Bushman's love of the series is infectious and he makes a lot of funny little comments that keeps the work entertaining throughout (for the most part). This doesn't attempt to present itself as a serious scholarly work and I think that would have been a mistake for such a quirky series by itself.
Instead, this is clearly a resource for the fans themselves. I don't agree with all of his conclusions, for example he keeps ripping into James (James Marshall) when I really liked the character, but he was usually right on the money. He also, surprisingly, shies away from gossip with a refusal to tell the story about Lara Flynn Boyle allegedly canning the Audrey-Cooper romance. However, a good chunk of this book is the episode guide and it's an incredibly long series of summarizes which don't really add that much to the story. The majority of people who are buying this book are fans of the series already so some more analysis and less summary would have been welcome.
Obviously, a lot of this information is now outdated with the existence of Twin Peaks: The Return but it is a humorous novel that covers everything up until that point. The author is entertaining with an irreverent style that makes otherwise dry reading entertaining. Even the Episode Guide, which could have used some sprucing up and commentary to go with it, has enough remarks spread through to keep it from being a bore.
Still, the fact so much of the book is taken up with the episode guide affects its overall score. I would have preferred him to keep analyzing the characters and their relationships throughout. Would that have just made it the author's opinion on a popular television show? Yes, but that is why I'm buying it. If I wanted a purely analytical discussion of the show I would have bought THE ESSENTIAL WRAPPED IN PLASTIC: PATHWAYS TO TWIN PEAKS (which I did).
In conclusion, this is an excellent book for fans of the series who want a entertaining read right up until the episode guide. That doesn't really offer anything new even with the occasional joke scattered throughout. Unfortunately, that takes up a third of the book.
6.5/10
The TWIN PEAKS FAQ sets itself up as the definitive resource on the Twin Peaks series with an episode guide of the show, analysis of the characters, and discussion of both behind-the-scenes as well as on-screen drama. It's more hit than miss, though there's quite a bit of miss in the latter half of the book.
Basically, when David Bushman is discussing how the show was made or events from the show then he's doing fine. The production was fairly fascinating by itself with a link between Hollywood's favorite surealist and a soap opera writer teaming up to create a megablockuster show which quickly fizzled out but lived on as a cult-classic. We also get discussion of the failed indie movie FIRE WALK WITH ME. David Bushman's love of the series is infectious and he makes a lot of funny little comments that keeps the work entertaining throughout (for the most part). This doesn't attempt to present itself as a serious scholarly work and I think that would have been a mistake for such a quirky series by itself.
Instead, this is clearly a resource for the fans themselves. I don't agree with all of his conclusions, for example he keeps ripping into James (James Marshall) when I really liked the character, but he was usually right on the money. He also, surprisingly, shies away from gossip with a refusal to tell the story about Lara Flynn Boyle allegedly canning the Audrey-Cooper romance. However, a good chunk of this book is the episode guide and it's an incredibly long series of summarizes which don't really add that much to the story. The majority of people who are buying this book are fans of the series already so some more analysis and less summary would have been welcome.
Obviously, a lot of this information is now outdated with the existence of Twin Peaks: The Return but it is a humorous novel that covers everything up until that point. The author is entertaining with an irreverent style that makes otherwise dry reading entertaining. Even the Episode Guide, which could have used some sprucing up and commentary to go with it, has enough remarks spread through to keep it from being a bore.
Still, the fact so much of the book is taken up with the episode guide affects its overall score. I would have preferred him to keep analyzing the characters and their relationships throughout. Would that have just made it the author's opinion on a popular television show? Yes, but that is why I'm buying it. If I wanted a purely analytical discussion of the show I would have bought THE ESSENTIAL WRAPPED IN PLASTIC: PATHWAYS TO TWIN PEAKS (which I did).
In conclusion, this is an excellent book for fans of the series who want a entertaining read right up until the episode guide. That doesn't really offer anything new even with the occasional joke scattered throughout. Unfortunately, that takes up a third of the book.
6.5/10
August 11, 2020
Much better than that Twilight Zone FAQ I read. Hardly any typos, they get their facts right, and no obnoxious music opinions!
August 25, 2017
Very interesting with a lot of inside scoop sand fun facts, but also a bit disorganized with some sentences nearly word-for-word from another section I already read 40 pages ago. Definitely good for references and overall refreshing of the series, but not necessarily a great "everything you should know" of the show.
March 21, 2017
A great resource if you're brushing up for the new Twin Peaks series that's starting in May. Detailed character profiles, an episode guide, a timeline and lots of discussion on symbolism will satisfy any Peaks Freak.
September 1, 2017
It took me a while to get through this... a comprehensive review of the original Twin Peaks Seasons 1 and 2 as well as the film Fire Walk With Me. This is for true fans... tons of detail about the characters, episodes, the film, etc... more than a casual fan would ever want to know, though!
May 15, 2018
Despite writing that has little eruptions of awfulness, there's so much great material in this book! And they do some invaluable compiling of timelines as well as details of even the most marginal characters!
August 12, 2017
A few interesting trivia tidbits I didn't know about, but mainly felt like the writers were trying to hit a word count.
March 25, 2019
Great background and fact info for seasons 1 & 2 as well as Fire Walk With Me.
February 28, 2017
"She's dead. Wrapped in plastic." With those five words, Twin Peaks had me hooked. What transpired over those 29 episodes was like nothing I had ever seen on television up to that point. It was my sophomore year of high school, and the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer consumed my imagination completely. I clearly, clearly remember my reaction to the murder of Maddy Ferguson. It was the most shocking thing I had ever witnessed on tv. My jaw was on the floor in shock and surprise. In 2017, it still ranks as one of my Top 10 favorite tv shows of all time. In preparation for its return to Showtime, I am devouring books on the show by David Lynch, starting with this one that I stumbled upon in Barnes and Noble.
Over 360 pages, every minute detail of the show and prequel movie are dissected, explored, theorized, and deconstructed. So much information!! There's a chapter on how the show came to be. Many chapters on character and actor bios. Sections on the wardrobe, the music, the setting, the pop culture the show inspired, the movie "Fire Walk With Me," and breakdowns of all 29 episodes. Throughout, readers are treated to new factoids about the show, the writers, the mistakes that led to big changes in the show, and even the continuity errors. All of it is a blast to read. My favorite part of the book is probably the episode story details. The authors pepper the plot breakdowns with snarky comments that are truly gut-busting. They don't hold back with their displeasure at certain characters, storylines, or oddities. It's hilarious, and I loved it.
Twin Peaks will forever be one of those shows that rests in my psyche and soul. I can put the soundtrack on and be transported by the hypnotic music and voice of Julee Cruise. This book was so much fun to read and it's completely revved me up for the return of the show. Maybe you had to be there in 1990 when the show premiered, and if you weren't, this book will make you feel like you had been there on that Sunday when Peter Martell uttered those famous words.
Over 360 pages, every minute detail of the show and prequel movie are dissected, explored, theorized, and deconstructed. So much information!! There's a chapter on how the show came to be. Many chapters on character and actor bios. Sections on the wardrobe, the music, the setting, the pop culture the show inspired, the movie "Fire Walk With Me," and breakdowns of all 29 episodes. Throughout, readers are treated to new factoids about the show, the writers, the mistakes that led to big changes in the show, and even the continuity errors. All of it is a blast to read. My favorite part of the book is probably the episode story details. The authors pepper the plot breakdowns with snarky comments that are truly gut-busting. They don't hold back with their displeasure at certain characters, storylines, or oddities. It's hilarious, and I loved it.
Twin Peaks will forever be one of those shows that rests in my psyche and soul. I can put the soundtrack on and be transported by the hypnotic music and voice of Julee Cruise. This book was so much fun to read and it's completely revved me up for the return of the show. Maybe you had to be there in 1990 when the show premiered, and if you weren't, this book will make you feel like you had been there on that Sunday when Peter Martell uttered those famous words.
August 16, 2016
Can I be honest?
I don’t think anyone has really asked a lot of questions about the TV series “Twin Peaks” since the theatrical sequel, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me flopped at the movies in 1992.
There. I’m glad I got that off my chest.
But that said, my wife and I were big fans of the original run of the TV show on ABC in 1990 and forced ourselves to watch the entire second season, even though it wasn’t very good, to be honest. And we skipped Fire Walk with Me altogether.
And yet – having actually trekked to the rural area of Washington State where the show was filmed, stayed a couple of nights at “The Great Northern” (a.k.a., the iconic Salish Lodge & Spa) and visited the astonishing Snoqualmie Falls behind it, we are more than a little curious about the show’s impending return with new episodes on Showtime in early 2017.
Assuming we aren’t the only ones holding out hope of a return to form by the David Lynch and Mark Frost series, I invited David Bushman and Arthur Smith to the show today to talk about their comprehensive new book, Twin Peaks FAQ: All That’s Left to Know About a Place Both Wonderful and Strange.
Key interview moments:
• 4:20 David Bushman explains the enduring appeal of “Twin Peaks,” a show that has been off the air for decades and is making a comeback;
• 16:30 Why write an FAQ about “Twin Peaks”? For Bushman, part of the allure is his respect for director David Lynch;
• 27:40 Arthur Smith compares the appeal of an FAQ book to an encyclopedia such as “The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.”
Watch it here: http://mrmedia.com/2016/06/killed-twi...
I don’t think anyone has really asked a lot of questions about the TV series “Twin Peaks” since the theatrical sequel, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me flopped at the movies in 1992.
There. I’m glad I got that off my chest.
But that said, my wife and I were big fans of the original run of the TV show on ABC in 1990 and forced ourselves to watch the entire second season, even though it wasn’t very good, to be honest. And we skipped Fire Walk with Me altogether.
And yet – having actually trekked to the rural area of Washington State where the show was filmed, stayed a couple of nights at “The Great Northern” (a.k.a., the iconic Salish Lodge & Spa) and visited the astonishing Snoqualmie Falls behind it, we are more than a little curious about the show’s impending return with new episodes on Showtime in early 2017.
Assuming we aren’t the only ones holding out hope of a return to form by the David Lynch and Mark Frost series, I invited David Bushman and Arthur Smith to the show today to talk about their comprehensive new book, Twin Peaks FAQ: All That’s Left to Know About a Place Both Wonderful and Strange.
Key interview moments:
• 4:20 David Bushman explains the enduring appeal of “Twin Peaks,” a show that has been off the air for decades and is making a comeback;
• 16:30 Why write an FAQ about “Twin Peaks”? For Bushman, part of the allure is his respect for director David Lynch;
• 27:40 Arthur Smith compares the appeal of an FAQ book to an encyclopedia such as “The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.”
Watch it here: http://mrmedia.com/2016/06/killed-twi...
January 5, 2018
Immediate Review: A decent summarization of the original series
Bushman does a fine job at going into some light history of the series as well as doing an episode by episode breakdown. His writing style is casual working his own viewpoint and comedic takes on certain aspects of the series that sometimes work, and sometimes don't resulting in a serviceable book for new fans of Twin Peaks.
Other than not providing much behind-the-scenes information in terms of interviews with cast members, the book is far too surface level in describing what happened. Most of this could have been written by any fan of the show. At this point, one of the the biggest issues is that it is no longer current as the Showtime revival has come and gone resulting in Bushman speculating about characters and situations that we already have answers to.
This is a decent book for those who have just finished watching the original series and have not done much research into the background and history of the show. Bushman's humor hits sometimes and misses others, but it's a decent read if only for reliving such a great series.
Bushman does a fine job at going into some light history of the series as well as doing an episode by episode breakdown. His writing style is casual working his own viewpoint and comedic takes on certain aspects of the series that sometimes work, and sometimes don't resulting in a serviceable book for new fans of Twin Peaks.
Other than not providing much behind-the-scenes information in terms of interviews with cast members, the book is far too surface level in describing what happened. Most of this could have been written by any fan of the show. At this point, one of the the biggest issues is that it is no longer current as the Showtime revival has come and gone resulting in Bushman speculating about characters and situations that we already have answers to.
This is a decent book for those who have just finished watching the original series and have not done much research into the background and history of the show. Bushman's humor hits sometimes and misses others, but it's a decent read if only for reliving such a great series.
December 16, 2016
Ho boy. This was a real treat to read.
Let me start off with - if you have any lingering questions about Twin Peaks, and Fire Walk With Me, then pick up this book. It's interesting, lots of wry humor, and it's pretty honest about what is known definitely behind the scenes, as well as all the action that happened on screen to make Twin Peaks what it really is. I really enjoyed the tidbits about what was actually scripted versus what was filmed, and some of the reasons for why things happened the way they did - or if it wasn't a definite answer, then having serious theories why. If you are a fan of Twin Peaks, this is a great book to invest in and read!
Let me start off with - if you have any lingering questions about Twin Peaks, and Fire Walk With Me, then pick up this book. It's interesting, lots of wry humor, and it's pretty honest about what is known definitely behind the scenes, as well as all the action that happened on screen to make Twin Peaks what it really is. I really enjoyed the tidbits about what was actually scripted versus what was filmed, and some of the reasons for why things happened the way they did - or if it wasn't a definite answer, then having serious theories why. If you are a fan of Twin Peaks, this is a great book to invest in and read!
July 3, 2016
No FAQs present and the subtitle of 'all that's left to know about a place both wonderful and strange' is misleading since the book makes great use of phrases such as 'no, we don't know what that means either'.
Still, it's an easy read, will make you want to watch the show all over again and is a primer for the return of the series in the near future (colour me excited). Just don't expect to be overly enlightened if you're a fan.
Still, it's an easy read, will make you want to watch the show all over again and is a primer for the return of the series in the near future (colour me excited). Just don't expect to be overly enlightened if you're a fan.
March 31, 2017
I've read a fair number of books on my favorite TV series, and, despite the rather lackluster title of "FAQ", this is actually one of the best. Not only an excellent summary of both the series and prequel movie, David Bushman's book delves fairly deeply into the many characters (both important and minor), and discusses many theories and suppositions as to what it all means. All this is done in a style that manages to be simultaneously respectful and quite funny in its occasional irreverence. For those of us that are extremely excited about the return of "Twin Peaks" on Showtime in a couple of months, this book is a great way to review what has gone before. Four and 1/2 stars.
December 31, 2017
As someone who's just starting to dig into Twin Peaks fandom, this book holds quite a bit of insight into the series and its genesis. Though some of the writers' insights and the bits of trivia they share do get repeated because of the overlap between the book's various sections. Still, this is an enjoyable read that helped me appreciate the series more than I already did.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews