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strangeglyph's review against another edition
More of a reference work than something that can be read front to back
zmb's review
4.0
The theorizing is fascinating, and, while the abridgment does a good job at cutting down the interminable examples of the full third edition, there are still a huge amount of them. Nevertheless, it's worth it for Frazier's unifying explanations. If they occasionally (or often) go to far in the direction of unification, they are the more interesting for it.
shiradest's review against another edition
I recall reading this book quite a few years ago, when I was a new Wiccan. I recall thinking that it had rehashed just enough mythology to be annoying, but not especially revealing, so I did not take notes on it. I suppose I shall have to read it again.
jcovey's review
3.0
For most books I consider abridgment a crime, but with this one I really wish I'd gone for a 'Selection from.' The ideas and theories Frazer expounds are compelling and rather convincing, but these theories are probably about 15% of the text. The rest is the seemingly endless evidence he gathered for these theories. His list of sources is a full third of the books length. It's an admirable amount of research, but the casual reader will not get much out of the detailed descriptions of harvest festivals from nearly every peasant population in Europe, especially because they are all so nearly alike that they almost instantly begin to blend together in the readers mind.
lukre's review against another edition
4.0
NonFiction2023 Book 1
Finally, after YEARS! I've finished it!
The amount of work that must have gone into this is mindblowing. The reading of it, on the other hand, is not something I'd recommend be done as your typical non-fiction book. This is more akin to reading a reference book, or a dictionary.
I am glad I've read it.
There are a some warnings for future readers - this was written at a time when different peoples and cultures were refered to in names we no longer use... so yeah, be prepared for that.
Finally, after YEARS! I've finished it!
The amount of work that must have gone into this is mindblowing. The reading of it, on the other hand, is not something I'd recommend be done as your typical non-fiction book. This is more akin to reading a reference book, or a dictionary.
I am glad I've read it.
There are a some warnings for future readers - this was written at a time when different peoples and cultures were refered to in names we no longer use... so yeah, be prepared for that.
arthurbdd's review against another edition
3.0
Deep well of anecdotes, but the overarching claim and theory should be taken with a pinch of salt.
bookwisp86's review against another edition
4.0
An study of rituals and belief systems found in cultures around the world. A very long and detailed work; it took me more then a year to read it for a reason!
I find myself seeing it's influence everywhere that even slightly involves religion, especially "ancient" practices. I don't expect anyone to read the whole thing unless their are obsessed with rituals and superstitions like me; but check it out for the explanation on sympathetic magic if nothing else.
Take everything in it with a big grain of salt too. Most of the rituals and customs were told to Frazer second or third hand through letters from his friends apparently.
Also it's in the public domain, so don't pay for if you are going to read it digitally.
I find myself seeing it's influence everywhere that even slightly involves religion, especially "ancient" practices. I don't expect anyone to read the whole thing unless their are obsessed with rituals and superstitions like me; but check it out for the explanation on sympathetic magic if nothing else.
Take everything in it with a big grain of salt too. Most of the rituals and customs were told to Frazer second or third hand through letters from his friends apparently.
Also it's in the public domain, so don't pay for if you are going to read it digitally.
woolfardis's review against another edition
4.0
A book on the origins of magic and religion on Earth: read for reference work. Quite dense and hard to work through: almost certain I haven't read the whole thing, but have dipped in and out to get inspiration. Good for anyone interested in Folklore and Myth, especially in Britain.