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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
This was an interesting exploration of how preindustrial societies interpreted various states of decomposition as being indicative of revenants. It explores analogous beliefs throughout the world and even how some of our contemporary rituals relate to these past apotropaic rituals. This is not a book for everyone. It contains graphic descriptions of decomposing bodies and how they are dealt with
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Medical content
Moderate: Animal death, Suicide, Murder
Why is the idea of vampires so pervasive in world cultures? Where did the idea of blood-sucking ghouls come from? This book presents a very convincing theory in a little under 200 pages. The author starts by differentiating vampires in fiction (supposed to be intriguing) from the vampires of folklore. Since fictional vampires are pretty much by definition made up, the author concentrates on vampire folklore - what people used to believe about vampires. The upshot? Vampires are the result of an enormous misunderstanding - a misunderstanding about why people die (pathology) and decomposition (biology). The descriptions of vampires in folklore are fascinating; the old beliefs are so different from the fiction and what we understand today. My only complaint about this book is chapter 12, which describes decomposition in WAY too much detail. If you're squeamish, you may want to skip it.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
Detailed dive into death and the varying reactions to it.
dark
informative
medium-paced
I didn’t find this book dry at all. It was really funny; I’d like to find more by the same author. There was a lot to learn here, a lot of fascinating angles to consider. Loved it.
Barber presents a rather convincing and interesting theory in this book, arguing that vampire legends and folklore developed as a means to expalin decomposition. The book is worth a read not only for the theory but als because of the amount of translation and sources that Barber looks at. If you are a fan of sexy vampires, you should skip this book.
This is a very academic read. It felt like I was reading a college textbook at times; something I didn't expect because it's about vampires. It's chock-full of info that goes way beyond just the belief of vampires though. The author clearly did his research. But again, this was a tougher read for me. I understand though not all informative books can be written in an entertaining way.
informative
slow-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Somewhat dry but very thorough and informative. Incredibly well researched