{"product_id":"the-impossible-woman-kristen-hoerl-9781978842526","title":"The Impossible Woman: Television, Feminism, and the Future","description":"Although it may seem like the proliferation of strong women on television is a feminist achievement, a deeper look into their stories tells us otherwise. \u003ci\u003eThe Impossible Woman \u003c\/i\u003eexamines a variety of scripted US television series across multiple genres to show how the cultural value of television's extraordinarily talented female characters often rests upon their ability to endure--but not overcome--sexism. Looking at \u003ci\u003eParks and Recreation\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Queen's Gambit\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eQueen of the South\u003c\/i\u003e, Hoerl argues that these series contribute to \u003ci\u003esexist realism\u003c\/i\u003e, or the cultural assumption that there is no alternative to patriarchy. Situating impossible women's struggles in the context of contemporary feminist politics, Hoerl explains how the problems facing television's strongest women illustrate mainstream feminism's paradoxical dependence upon on cultural misogyny, neoliberal individualism, and racism. \u003ci\u003eThe Impossible Woman \u003c\/i\u003eencourages readers to seek out alternative stories that might help them envision more just feminist futures.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Kristen Hoerl\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 197884252X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781978842526\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Rutgers University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/11\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 206\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.00lbs","brand":"Kristen Hoerl","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47087722725631,"sku":"9781978842526","price":32.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_10193b06-3f97-410e-b774-5abafa334aae.jpg?v=1753850607","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-impossible-woman-kristen-hoerl-9781978842526","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}