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molang_madrigal's review against another edition
At first it seemed like this book was going to be a really interesting explanation of how we perceive animals and why we associate different qualities with them, but it very quickly turned into how medieval Christians turned basically everything that animals do into a morality lesson. It was quite depressing.
Also, like a lot of Anglo-Saxon historians, the author starts off by bemoaning how few Old English texts survive and how much we don’t know. But somehow, we seem to know everything that Anglo-Saxons thought about singular species like eagles and how they applied it to Christian beliefs, which is really quite an arcane subject! Bit weird…
Also, like a lot of Anglo-Saxon historians, the author starts off by bemoaning how few Old English texts survive and how much we don’t know. But somehow, we seem to know everything that Anglo-Saxons thought about singular species like eagles and how they applied it to Christian beliefs, which is really quite an arcane subject! Bit weird…
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism and Religious bigotry
rosy_posy's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
4.5
Really interesting etymological read. I’m surprised to say my favourite bits were the animals that were ordinary or extraordinary - the baffling part felt the weakest to me. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in language, history of animals or just medieval history generally! Really a weird and wonderful read.
mayphoenix7992's review
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
4,5⭐️
Amazing book on Old English words. How fascinating to see so many words that have survived into the english we speak today, but also it gives us so many information on how animals were thought of in those days.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes history, english history or languages.
Amazing book on Old English words. How fascinating to see so many words that have survived into the english we speak today, but also it gives us so many information on how animals were thought of in those days.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes history, english history or languages.
derekjohnston's review
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
tigerkind's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
kjgrievewriter's review against another edition
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
Intriguing, but ultimately quite bland compared to the first book (Word Hord), much to my surprise as an animal lover. The distinct lack of any references to other historical works - outside of the very few extant Old English texts Videen has chosen to draw from here - is particularly puzzling when she refers to "a lack of writing" on certain subjects and creatures. Yet she somehow manages to open the book with two chapters on the eagle and the spider respectively, but doesn't mention Tolkien anywhere despite Deor Hord's focus on Christianity vs Paganism, and that the two animals are the angels and demons of his mythology. Neither does she address the fact that the villain Shelob literally means female spider (she + Old English 'lob', meaning spider). Similarly, no references to Myrmidons (from Greek 'myrmex', meaning ant) in the ant chapter. It just seems odd, as she references a number of middle English and Latin texts. So maybe Lord of the Rings is a bit modern, but surely it's not a stretch to expect exploration of the classical epics? I just had the unpleasant sensation of feeling like I had more knowledge than the author on certain subjects purely based on how much low hanging fruit was left out.