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em_harring's review
3.0
I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I had read it about four years ago. It's a good introduction to monster theory/history; the problem for me is that I knew a lot of the information present in the book. I was hoping it would include a more historical look at why certain monsters prevailed at certain times, but it didn't really do that. It also didn't really utilize any of the philosophies or theories that it brought to the forefront to any great extant. And I had some issues with the organization of the book; at times it felt all over the place, and the last chapter has almost nothing to do with monsters, and everything to do with the author's own bias towards the topics that he brings up.
So, overall, it was okay. It just wasn't completely what I wanted. I'd give it a 2.5, if I could.
So, overall, it was okay. It just wasn't completely what I wanted. I'd give it a 2.5, if I could.
lorisiformes's review
3.0
I found this book incredibly interesting and would have rated it higher had it not taken me six months to read. Normally I am a very fast reader, but something about this book just failed to hold my attention. The insight gained from finishing On Monsters was worth the effort, however.
Edit - 2nd read: Rambles too much.
Edit - 2nd read: Rambles too much.
audaciaray's review
1.0
I really wanted to like this book. But it's just too jumbled, in what reads as an attempt at postmodern historicism but turns out to be an all over the place mess.
lepetitnomade's review
4.0
I love history of folklore that spans across not just the U.S., but every country! Incredibly informative, and quiet as it's kept, we all love a book with illustrations-which this one is chock-full of. Asma takes relatively deep-dives into all kinds of boogeymen and witch hunts and cryptids under the sun, with a long history for each. Definitely need to re-read this one, because I do remember thoroughly enjoying every chapter (especially the one about witches keeping men's favorite appendages in jars LOL).
mad_taylh's review
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
"The monster, of course, is a product of and regular inhabitant of the imagination, but the imagination is a driving force behind our entire perception of the world. If we find monsters in our world, it is sometimes because they are really there and sometimes because we have brought them with us."
jmercury's review
4.0
An interesting and well researched book which is unfortunately hampered by the last few chapters. Asma detours from his previous tone into several poorly-thought-out and, honestly, misplaced discussions of terrorism, biotechnology, and postmodernisn. When Asma sticks to the facts, it's a great book. When he inserts his obnoxious and distracting personal opinions, the book thuds.