Finding Serenity

infobox book
name = Finding Serenity: Anti-heroes,
Lost Shepherds and Space Hookers
in Joss Whedon's Firefly


author = Jane Espenson
cover_artist = Todd Michael Bushman
country = United States
language = English
genre = Television/Science Fiction
publisher = BenBella Books
release_date = 2004
media_type = Print Paperback
pages = 238
isbn = ISBN 1-932100-43-1

"Finding Serenity: Anti-heroes, Lost Shepherds and Space Hookers in Joss Whedon's Firefly" is a compilation of essays edited by Jane Espenson with Glenn Yeffeth. The book was released in late 2004 following the cancellation of the television show "Firefly". Jane Espenson was a writer for the show and the book contains a series of essays that discuss the show from a variety of viewpoints, some scholarly in tone, others written with a more comedic note.

As well as offering answers to some of the shows unresolved plotlines and character arcs, the compilation includes some insight into the filming of each episode with actress Jewel Staite (who played the role of Kaylee Frye on the show) providing a commentary on each of the episodes produced. Due to "Firefly"'s early demise it left many fans with many unanswered questions and a certain sense of loss. The essays included attempt to resolve the unanswered questions brought up in the show, ranging from the origin of the Reavers, the multi-racial casting, and the use of the Chinese language. Some essays are existentialist in outlook seeking to define what freedom meant for each member of the crew, a theme that Joss Whedon seemed to be exploring. Other essays focus on the changing nature of sexual relationships in Whedon's vision of the future.

It was followed by "Serenity Found: More Unauthorized Essays on Joss Whedon's "Firefly" Universe" in November 2007 by the same editor, including contributions by actor Nathan Fillion (Malcolm Reynolds in the series) and science-fiction author Orson Scott Card.

"Finding Serenity" and "Serenity Found" are independent publications and have not been prepared, approved or licensed by any entity that created or produced the television program "Firefly".