An Illustrated Retelling of The Odyssey

 Homer's Odyssey: An Illustrated Retelling by Barry B. Powell; illustrations by 

Homer's Odyssey book cover

Classical scholar and author Barry B. Powell

Artist Joanna Lisowiec

Many thanks to Clarkson Potter/ten Speed Press and NetGalley for sharing an advanced copy of Homer’s Odyssey: An Illustrated Retelling by Barry B. Powell with illustrations by Joanna Lisowiec. Despite being one of the oldest surviving epics from a story that is over 2000 years old, The Odyssey remains one of the most popular tales today. It’s regularly a part of curricula from elementary through college. I’ve not only encountered this epic in grade school but also studied it in college and taught sections of the epic in classrooms. It’s one of those texts that, for me, never grows old and always has something new to offer each time I read a new translation or version of the story. Barry B. Powell has created an accessible and engaging translation with attractive woodcut illustrations by Joanna Lisowiec to highlight the adventures of Ithaca’s wily warrior king, Odysseus, as he looks to return from the Trojan War. It’s great to see a new version like this since it can appeal to younger readers (like adolescents) and others who might want to explore the original story especially as this summer sees the release of an epic big screen adaptation of the classic tale.

I read an e-text version, but I would imagine that having a hardback or paperback version with the color illustrations would be appealing. The chapters aren’t too long, and the prose is clear with enough detail and imagery to stoke readers’ imaginations. It’s not overly poetic, but Odysseus’ adventures are presented in a narrative, novel type form, which is probably more accessible for modern readers who most likely are not as familiar with this epic’s poetic form. Nevertheless, I was a little surprised (in a good way) at some of the violent descriptions of the monsters (notably the Polyphemus, the cyclops) and the battle with the suitors at the end. It’s been a while since I’ve read the entire Odyssey, but this version has some interesting descriptions of the violent battle that ensues once Odysseus reveals himself to the suitors of his wife, Penelope.

In the past, I’ve been drawn to Odysseus’ adventures journeying back from Troy and the challenges and mythical monsters and beings he encounters on his trip. This book includes those parts of the journey, but I was more aware of Telemachus’ journey to find his father and his own struggles with taking on the role of the man of the house (or kingdom in this case). I’m not sure if this book pays more attention to Telemachus’ struggles with the suitors and his own angst and doubts as he misses his father and attempts to be a good son, but it was interesting to see how much Telemachus is challenged by the suitors and their exploitation of Greek hospitality. Despite Odysseus’ 20 year absence in trying to return to Ithaca, it’s good to see that Telemachus has others within his family to fill the void and support him as he grows into his manhood. Mentor (who is actually Athena), Eumaeus, and Kings Nestor and Menelaus all play a role in helping Telemachus navigate this difficult time trying to grow up without a father. Conversely, I also don’t remember a lot about the suitors from prior readings, and this version presented some of the wickedness of the suitors and their plot against Telemachus and attempts to win over Penelope. They are presented as truly bad guys who take advantage of Penelope and Telemachus’ hospitality, only to meet their comeuppance once Odysseus returns and reveals himself.

This is a good version of a classic tale, and I would recommend it for anyone who wants to experience the classic, but in a more modern version. Furthermore, the creative and alluring woodcut illustrations by Lisowiec add to the story and readers’ understanding. Recommended!

Exploring Unexplained Phenomena in High Strangeness

 High Strangeness by Daniel Noah, Christopher Condon, Zac Thompson, Christopher Cantwell, Cecil Castellucci, and Christian Ward with various artists. 

High Strangeness Deluxe Edition cover

Many thanks to Oni Press and NetGalley for sharing an advanced copy of High Strangeness Deluxe Edition. I was intrigued by the cover and title, which featured a kind of mysterious element with a little bit of sinister mixed in- and this edition does not disappoint. This unique collection features several stories bound by the mysteries of the unexplained. Furthermore, each story contains both a comic depiction and an essay that provides some background, history, and personal connections with the unexplained phenomenon. I read the comics first, but I really appreciated the essays that follow since they provide a unique insight into how the writers experienced these phenomena, as well as some history about the phenomena. The comics and essays/articles work well together, but it’s also important to note how the comics share connective threads not only through the theme of unexplained phenomena, but it was really cool to see the artists incorporate some shared visual themes and motifs throughout the comics that are eventually explained in the essays.

I really appreciated the unique approach that this collection takes in exploring the unexplained phenomena across different eras. The first one explores UFOs from 1967, and follows an investigative journalist, Jack Kean, who is based on John Keel, the journalist who wrote the Mothman Prophecies and investigated UFOs. In terms of both story and art, this was probably my favorite comic in the collection. It uses a fake UFO sighting and the disappearance of the person who faked the sighting to create questions and skepticism around what is known and what is hidden with UFOs. The story has a great twist and reminds me of X-Files, as Kean becomes haunted by the possibility of UFOs.

 

Book 2 takes place in 1975 and investigates Sasquatch/Bigfoot. I also really enjoyed this one. The story is interesting, and the artwork is also compelling, especially around sightings of Sasquatch. Furthermore, reading the essay helped me understand the artwork and various evidence that some believers cite as evidence for the existence of Sasquatch. The story takes a surprising turn and calls into question whether Sasquatch is a monster type cryptid or something else that many may not have considered. It tells the story of an inmate named Ellwood who ended up escaping from a prison transfer during a snowstorm with help from a sasquatch. He ends up in a nearby town, squatting in a cabin and building a new life for himself. However, he remains haunted by the encounter with the sasquatch, and as the birth of his first child nears, he heeds the call of the sasquatch (a wood knock, glowing eyes, and a stick structure in the woods. Elwood leaves the confines of his cabin during a storm to investigate these mysterious signs and see if the Sasquatch is lurking for him. This is also the story where some of the visual themes and repeated symbols appear (hello mantis). I really loved the essay as well that provided more background information about wild men and sasquatch myths around the world. In particular, it was exciting to learn about the author’s personal experience in the woods of Pennsylvania. I wasn’t even aware that PA had any kind of sasquatch legends. I really appreciated how both the essay and comic provide background information into these signs of sasquatch and possibly present sasquatch as a beneficial caretaker of the wild.

Book 3 takes place in 1983 and deals with synchronicity. It’s an interesting story about the chance encounters that occur in a father and daughter’s relationship and lives. The artwork for the story is great, and the author of the related essay presents some interesting and meaningful incidents of synchronicity in her own life. The comic story explores how meaningful events can occur on similar dates, and how these events can sometimes influence future events. It’s a touching story, but not as mysterious or phenomenal as the others. Reading the essay gave me a deeper appreciation of the story, but it also demonstrates something the author mentioned about meaning being inherently personal, which is harder to explain to readers. The essay does a good job noting how specific coincidences are connected and add meaning, helping to shape the author’s future decisions about love, work, and life. The comic presents some of this as well, but there are some other events occurring that make the story a little harder to follow than some of the others in this collection.

Book 4 takes place in 2001 and deals with out of body experiences (OBE). The artwork for the comic is well done and engaging, and the essay does well explaining these phenomena, using some personal experiences. The story for the comic is ok. I initially found the main character Adeline a little annoying at first. She seems to rely on coin flips to make decisions, often abandoning responsibilities because a coin told her to. Yet, the ending of the story is interesting, and it seems like she gains significant insight from her OBEs, learning how to access the astral plane and gain some additional information about events in her life. Like Book 3, I felt like the essay was more helpful I explaining the phenomenon of OBEs, but I really enjoyed the artwork in this section.

Book 5 is titled “Infinity” and takes place in the future. It’s a wild ride that provides some essential information about how these phenomena are connected. The artwork for this section is also incredible, and varies from many of the other comics in this collection. It’s a surreal exploration of meaning and myth to better understand how these unexplained phenomena can impact our lives. I also appreciated the last essay from Daniel Noah that explains how he moved from skeptic to believer based on his experiences in the Stanley Hotel. The essay also explores the connective tissue among the various phenomena and how the visual themes and symbols are related in the various stories. It’s a clever and creative way to synthesize these stories and note how much wonder is in the world when we leave open these doors of explanation, even if it’s just a crack.

Overall this was an interesting collection that was fun to read. I love these books that explore mysterious and unexplained phenomena, so this was fun to read. I typically lean more towards the scary, monster type stories like the first two, but I also found the last two stories that explore synchronicity and out of body experiences to be also interesting and somewhat emotional in a heartfelt way. The artwork for this collection is phenomenal, and the essays that conclude this deluxe edition provide further exploration and background information about these mysterious events and phenomena. Although I read the comics first and the essays last, I wondered how reading the essays first might impact my understanding of the comics and these phenomena. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to approach this- just two different paths that lead to potentially similar outcomes. Nevertheless, this is a fun and very different read than what I was expecting. Highly recommended, especially if you like learning about unexplained phenomena.

 

Mysterious Creatures: The Truth Behind the Legends by Alderton and Heart

 Mysterious Creatures: The Truth Behind the Legends by David Alderton and Akara Heart

Mysterious Creatures book cover

Author David Alderton

Author Akara Heart

Big thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for sharing an advanced copy of David Alderton and Akara Heart’s Mysterious Creatures: The Truth Behind the Legends, a great new compendium that investigates mysterious and legendary creatures like Bigfoot, vampires, werewolves, unicorns, and dragons. I love books like these that provide an overview of legends, myths, and other mysteries of the unknown, and have been reading these kinds of collections since I was younger. There’s been some recent great books that focus more on cryptids and urban legends (The United States of Cryptids by Ocker, Fairylore by Wallman and Cleto, and Tales of the Dark Feminine by V. Castro), and I love that so many of these books go beyond mere definitional entries in a kind of brief encyclopedia. While my younger self would have enjoyed Mysterious Creatures, it is a book that engages the wonders and mystery of these legendary creatures, but also presents some evenhanded investigations and science into working to find a rational explanation for these creatures and legends. It’s not quite a book I could recommend for children, but it remains a fascinating and entreating read that I could not put down.

Alderton and Heart have done considerable research to not only investigate the origins and incidents involving many of these legendary creatures, but also to provide some plausible explanations and ideas as to why or how these legends have entered our belief systems and why they have persisted for so long. Many of the legends appear throughout history and cut across different cultures. For example, the unicorn may have first appeared in ancient Babylonian times as a seal for official documents, yet over time the idea of the unicorn has transformed from a fierce, yet elusive beast with magical powers, to something more delicate and unique. Alderton and Heart trace the ways in which this legendary creature has changed to mean different things to various cultures and time periods, as well as how many people in the middle ages profited off of the supposed powers of unicorn horns by selling ground up powders to unwitting customers. Similarly, we learn how mermaids have been a part of legends and myths since people began sailing, yet the idea of a siren has changed over time. Nevertheless, scammers took advantage of the willingness to believe and the lack of skepticism (or education or information at the time) to make some money with well-crafted hoaxes, most notably the Feejee (or Fiji) mermaid. I was shocked to learn how much someone paid for what was ostensibly a monkey carcass sewed to a fish tail. Nevertheless, I loved learning about the mythical origins of these creatures, and how they have appeared in stories, legends and literature, eventually making their way to books and films, and becoming somewhat iconic and meaningful symbols of for different cultures and generations. These chapters explore the history, but tend to focus in on some of the more iconic or important stories that helped to propel these myths to the mainstream and explain how they eventually have shaped our current beliefs and ideas about these creatures. My favorite chapters were about vampires and werewolves and dogmen. I loved learning more about the history of these creatures and finding out about some strange cases and the possible medical or mental health reasons behind these phenomena. The last two chapters on Sasquatch and Thunderbirds (or giant birds) were interesting; however, I wish there was more about the indigenous beliefs about these creatures. The authors mention some ideas, but don’t get too in depth about the cultural myths and stories related to them. Nevertheless, they provide some interesting modern instances of Bigfoot and giant bird sightings in the US, and provide some compelling and rational suggestions about what these creatures could possibly be. The other chapters on dragons and phoenixes were also interesting, especially since both chapters explored cross cultural beliefs and examined the cultural significance and differences of both creatures in European and Asian (China, Korea, Japan).

I really enjoyed this book, and it’s one that I would definitely recommend, not only because it’s so informative, but I also loved the way that the authors present some plausible suggestions to explain how and why the belief in these creatures has persisted for centuries, and how they have often become culturally significant for different groups of people over the course of history. While not a book for younger kids, I think this book offers a great introduction to exploring skepticism and formulating counter-arguments to provide reasonable explanations. While I always want to believe in these mythical and mysterious creatures, I think it’s important to learn these kinds of skeptical skills and to examine more scientific explanations, especially as we find more and more technology being deployed to advance more complex hoaxes and ideas. While we have access to more and more information and education than previous generations, it still doesn’t prevent people from trying to exploit our willingness to be amazed and our desire to believe in the unexplained. Alderton and Heart’s book allows us to explore and question, but also offers us important lessons in looking for more reasonable and logical explanations. My only wish is that they included more images throughout the book—whether they are illustrations or other examples of these creatures throughout history and different cultures. Nevertheless, this is a book I highly recommend!

The Battle of Little Bighorn retold in Tom Clavin's Vengeance

 Vengeance: The Last Stands of Custer, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull by Tom Clavin

Vengeance book cover

Author Tom Clavin

A corrupt government is populated with friends and relations of the president who seem to plunder and take advantage of lax oversight in the bureaucracy. The government displays animosity and weaponizes the military towards a disempowered minority, attempting to silence critics and minority factions that resist attempts at command and control. American society has been torn apart by serious issues of race, identity, and the economy, while politicians and people grapple with the future direction of the country.

Although these events seem like they may be ripped from today’s salacious headlines, it’s really a summary of some of the events that gripped America nearly 150 years ago 1876, as America grappled with westward expansion and removing the indigenous plains Indians from their roaming ways and proposing a more farmer like existence for these nomadic people. Tom Clavin’s excellent new book, Vengeance: The Last Stands of Custer, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull, captures much of the turmoil and resentment that festered between the government and the Plains Indians, resulting in one of the most stunning military defeats in American history.

I’m generally fascinated by this time period, and have read some other books about Indigenous People, but Clavin’s book was one of the more compelling and engaging books I’ve read about the frontier expansion. Maybe because he focuses on three of the primary characters in the Battle of Little Bighorn, Clavin is able to create a story where three distinct individuals collide in a violent fashion in this epic battle of the plains when America was still expanding its western territory, frequently making and breaking treaties. Clavin acknowledges that he’s not the first to write about this battle, and some of the other authors who he references throughout the book have wrote distinct and significant books outlining and analyzing the factors leading up to the battle and its aftermath. However, Clavin likens the story to a myth, where we recount the deeds of epic heroes, seeming to result in tragedy, whether through hubris or ignorance, and learn something new every time we recount the story. Thus, his contributions to this epic battle frame the battle by following the paths of Custer, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse, and how they all ended up converging in June 1876 on this field in the territory that would become Montana.

I loved how Clavin organizes the chapters to focus on each individual, and he keeps them brief, which kept me reading. The book is organized into 6 parts- The Invaders, The Defenders, The Expeditions, The Searchers, The Avengers, and the Last Stands. Each section focuses on events leading up to the battle, and Clavin’s keen eye for details limits overwhelming readers with too much information about how the Indian Plains Wars against the Sioux especially started. Nevertheless, he provides a fair amount of information to let us know about how Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse eventually came to power, as well as how Custer, a lackluster West Point graduate, leveraged some heroics and bravado during the Civil War to eventually become a general. Through Clavin’s recounting and analysis of the events, it seems like some of Custer’s meteoric rise and bravado created a kind of arrogance that brought about his violent end. Interestingly, I learned that Crazy Horse, while exalted as a great Lakota warrior, also experienced his own downfall in claiming the wife of another man before they were officially divorced. It’s these kinds of little details that provide a broader idea of the decisions and strategies that Custer, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse may have implemented during other events, giving us a sense of the kind of flawed heroes that our textbooks or high school history don’t always present to us for various reasons.

Clavin not only isolates these individuals but provides some important background in the policies of the US around the time of the Civil War, and how the focus was off westward expansion, during this time. When the war ended, it seemed like there was a large army in need of work and vast lands where gold and other resources were with people looking to move out of overcrowded cities for new opportunities and adventure. This led to threats and attacks on settlers, necessitating the building of forts and protection of the US Army on certain routes, like the Oregon Trail. It was fascinating to learn more about how these events and policies boiled tensions between different plains Indian tribes and the federal government. Along with broken treaties, reduced rations, and disease and illness, readers can also learn how the plains Indians were reduced in numbers and spirit, and yet leaders and warriors like Sitting Bull and Red Cloud arose to challenge the authority of the US government and the great father in DC.

Clavin’s recap of the battle alternates between the US forces, and the divisions of Custer’s men, who split up into separate groups, which ultimately led to their demise, and the warriors who followed Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Clavin’s even-handed research presents much of the arrogance and mismanagement, including the drinking from Major Reno, and the friction with Captain Benteen, which also seemed to factor into the poor decisions and fractured strategy in this campaign. Although there were no survivors in Custer’s actual group, Clavin referenced other books and the Sioux and Cheyenne survivors who participated and provided accounts of what exactly happened. It presents an important recounting that challenges many of the myths and heroic portraits of Custer that were pumped out as propaganda after the battle. As Clavin notes, Custer was considered a potential presidential candidate and was set to speak in Philadelphia for the Centennial celebration about a week later. However, due to the vast distance and limited reporting at the time, people were unsure of where he was or what happened in the battle. This kind of limited access to information allowed the military and Custer’s widow, Libbie, to reshape the narrative, which ultimately painted Custer as a hero and victim, a view that persisted for many years.

The last section of the book went by quickly, and it moves from the summer of 1876 to the aftermath in the next few years, and how this led to the last stands of Crazy Horse shortly after and Sitting Bull more than a decade later. Clavin also frames this idea of the government and military continuing to seek and harass these tribes for the defeat at Little Bighorn. Sadly, it ends with the slaughter at Wounded Knee, where nearly 300 Lakota people, mostly women and children, were murdered by the military. Clavin notes like Little Bighorn, the limited information available at the time worked to the military’s advantage, allowing them to frame this as another battle like Little Bighorn, but that was ultimately prevented from major military casualties. In fact, there were several commendations and awards given. Tying these events to the present, Clavin notes that there have been recent attempts to rescind these awards and commendations, although the current administration has fought that, despite legislation that has authorized taking these awards away from the unjust murder of hundreds of Lakota women and children.

Clavin has written a compelling and important story detailing the history and facts of a inflection point in American history, one which has been mythologized and used to create a kind of narrative about American exceptionalism while denigrating the role of Indigenous people in American history, and has helped to educate and reframe the narrative. I learned a lot from this book. Furthermore, Clavin’s clear and engaging prose and his focus on the main protagonists in this tragedy, Custer, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse, creates a compelling story of three flawed men who converge on a hot battlefield in June of 1876. The story still resonates today, and it serves an even more important lesson in understanding the truth in history, and how events can be twisted and propagandized to either avoid accountability or to create American heroes. This is a really important and engaging read. Highly recommended! Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for sharing an advanced copy of Tom Clavin’s latest historical book Vengeance: The Last Stands of Custer, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull. 

The United States of Cryptids by J.W. Ocker

 The United States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters by J.W. Ocker

The United States of Cryptids book cover

Author J.W. Ocker

Ocker’s The United States of Cryptids isn’t quite an encyclopedia, but it is a great reference book and a fun travelogue of Ocker’s quest to document Cyptids in each state/region in the US. I read this along with my son, thinking that he might want to read more about myths and monsters. After riding on the Jersey Devil roller coaster, both of my kids became interested in learning more about the Jersey Devil, and Ocker documents a good amount about the history and cultural legacy of NJ’s most famous cryptid. Each chapter for the book was relatively brief, and I really enjoyed reading about Ocker’s ideas to honor and promote each state’s cryptid. He frequently mentions statues or plaques that would identify sightings, legacy, or other important information about these cryptids. Beyond these recommendations, Ocker’s book can also serve as a great road trip guide for adventurous families and cryptid hunters. He shares where he found more information about these cryptids, as well as some of the annual traditions that might involve honoring the legacies of these mythological creatures. I loved learning about some of the towns and their festivals, parades, or even ceremonies to honor cryptids. One town in Minnesota had an annual gnome festival that made gnomes from the likenesses of townspeople they wanted to fete for the year. It was a really nice way to recognize the contributions of a town. I was surprised to learn that a fair amount of the cryptids stories are created to drum up tourism or promote visiting these towns, and this practice even goes back to the 1800s, when a sea serpent was manufactured to attract visitors to the town’s hotel. Although many of the stories are unbelievable and some are blatantly false or rumors, it is still fun to read about these creates and wonder what some of the more unexplained phenomena might be. Despite these concise chapters, Ocker manages to convey enough information about the origins and history of these, and frequently makes connections to other cryptids in other states or regions. My e-book also had links back to the other cryptids. I’m looking forward to reading some of Ocker’s other books—I have the cursed objects book and read that he has a book about cults coming out, which I really can’t wait to read. Overall, this was a fun and easy read that gave me plenty of ideas about possible road trips or places to visit. 

Living the Irish Wheel of the Year by Donald Quill

 Living the Irish Wheel of the Year: A Guide for Practicing Pagans by Donald Quill

Living the Irish Wheel of the Year book cover

Author Donald Quill

Many thanks to Forgotten Rites Publishing and NetGalley for sharing an advanced copy of Donald Quill’s thoughtful book Living the Irish Wheel of the Year: A Guide for Practicing Pagans. I’m not a practicing pagan, but I found the title eye-catching. I am of Irish ancestry, and I loved reading about Irish mythology, history, and culture, so I was intrigued by this book since it sounded like it took a look at a sometimes overlooked aspect of Irish culture- the pre-Christian traditions of the land that shaped a lot of the mythology and beliefs, and in some ways helped to for a syncretic version of Catholicism that still persists today. Quill’s has written a detailed and considerate guide and reference that navigates readers and those curious to reconnect with their surroundings. Quill refers to the Wheel of the Year as a “rhythm that pulses through the land, the aur, and the blood of those who remember.” As I was reading this guide, I could better understand that to engage with this wheel of the year is to think about time differently, not quite linearly, but rather as more cyclical, or as Quill says, like a “sacred spiral.” While reading this guide, I was thinking a lot about Chelsey Luger and Thosh Collins’ book The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teaching for Living Well. Both books re-examine traditional and indigenous ways as a means of reconnecting with the land and as a result bringing greater peace and understanding to ourselves. After reading this book and considering Quill’s notions about time, I was reminded of Jenny Odell’s Saving Time, in which she considers the different ways that people have considered time outside of capitalist systems that ask us to work for our time. For Quill, Luger and Collins, and Odell, time can move in different ways than linearly. In many cultures, activities, chores, tasks, and even our menus are determined by seasonal changes. And much like Luger and Collins’ book, Quill’s guide also offers  important reminders of offering thanks and gratitude to those responsible for the change of the seasons, the bountiful harvests, the warmth of the hearth and many other necessities of everyday life that we often take for granted. It was this call for a kind of pause to think and thank for all that we have that I really appreciated from Quill’s guide. Although I haven’t implemented these practices, I could see how taking the time to stop, reflect, and realize how much we have and how we are connected to nature and our environment can lead to deeper feelings of gratitude and empathy for all.

While Quill’s book presents a practical guide for engaging in traditional Irish practices, it also serves as a kind of reference book for both the mythical gods and goddesses and the festivals for these gods and goddesses that mark important seasonal transitions in the Irish Wheel of the Year. This was my favorite part of the book. Quill’s research and organization of these prominent mythical figures and their holidays reveals much about the traditional Irish practices and beliefs but also sheds some light in more modern traditions and holidays that have been adapted and incorporated by other cultures and belief systems. Quill not only provides background details about these figures and holidays but also presents ways to honor them and hold their festivals. I also loved that Quill recognizes that for many of us, especially those of us in America or who live in large cities, reconnecting with these traditional ways might present some challenges, whether it is accessing green space or even procuring the plants, herbs, and other natural elements that can be essential to honoring these traditional Irish ways. As a result, he not only shares the traditional methods but also makes suggestions about how American and city-dwelling individuals can adapt their practice to engage with these traditions and connect with the Irish Wheel of the Year. This was a fascinating book that provides many different practical applications to reconnect to the environment and develop a deeper appreciation for the world and others. Quill takes a considerate approach, acknowledging that for those who are new to traditional Irish practices, they may not want or be able to implement all of the practices at once. Furthermore, he also shares strategies and substitutions that will allow practitioners to use alternative methods and materials to practice this thoughtful and contemplative way of life. If anything, it seems like adopting the Irish Wheel of the Year allows readers to experience a greater sense of awe and appreciation for the world, especially in being grateful for all that we have. Even though I have not adopted the specific practices recommended in this book, I can see how taking the time, even if it is a few minutes each day, to reflect and be thankful can change someone’s outlook on the world, especially now when it seems like there is always bad news lurking behind each headline or screen that we view. Living the Irish Wheel of the Year will enable readers to reconnect with their environment, feel more gratitude, and experience time in a different manner. Highly recommended!

Exploring the Unexplained: Stars That Pause: 2,000 Years of Asian UFO Encounters and Lore

 Stars That Pause: 2,000 Years of Asian UFO Encounters and Lore 

by Yi Izzy Yu and John Yu Branscum

Stars That Pause book cover

Author Yi Izzy Yu

Author John Yu Branscum

Many thanks (谢谢) to Empress Wu Publishers and Book Sirens for lending me an advanced copy of Stars That Pause: 2,000 Years of Asian UFO Encounters and Lore by Yi Izzy Yu and John Yu Branscum. Last year, in New Jersey, there were several weeks of speculation, fear, and wonder as reports of lighted objects in the skies were published across websites, newspapers, and social media. People shared their photos of the night skies, questioning what all of these crafts were. Were they drones, government crafts, or something from another world? Even the New Jersey government requested more information from the federal government, looking for more information and a rational explanation for all of this arial traffic. The lack of explanation for this phenomenon seemed to push some to panic and anxiety. Even my kids began to worry when looking at the night skies. However, this kind of strange phenomenon, witnessed by millions of people yet lacking a clear explanation is the kind of incident that Stars That Pause interrogates across history and cultures, using interdisciplinary theories and research to make meaning of unexplained or unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) that has occurred in different cultures for centuries. While I am interested in learning more about these kinds of unexplained mysteries, I thought this book would be almost like a catalogue or reference book that details unexplained events related to UAP in Asian countries throughout history. I previously read Zhiguai: Chinese True Tales of the Paranormal and Glitches in the Matrix, which was a collection of strange events and experiences of Chinese people in modern times. Although there was some brief commentary and explanation around the translated experiences, the book was a clever and fascinating collection of strange and unexplained events. I enjoyed reading the book and learning more about these experiences, seeing how some of these experiences were culturally relevant or similar to western phenomena and which were novel. However, Stars That Pause is a different type of book, one that challenged my thinking and drew from a vast array of multidisciplinary studies including history, psychology, and physics among others, to investigate and provide plausible explanations for how and why people experiences these kinds of UAP. Yu and Branscum provide useful instructions for how to read their book, which allowed me to take a different approach to investigating and thinking about the ideas they present. Their first section, “Sightings,” presents translated accounts of UAP sightings and encounters in different Asian cultures spanning nearly 2,000 years. The second section, “Discussion,” draws connections between the ancient accounts and the more modern encounters, tying the observations and encounters together. It is a useful section that provides some further context in understanding some of the cultural differences between Eastern and Western views of these phenomena. The last section, “Rabbit Holes,” which is also the longest section, provides about 20 different approaches, theories, or “rabbit holes” to delve to further explore these phenomena. I didn’t expect this book to be both scholarly and mysterious, but it balances both types of genres in a compelling and engaging way (almost like a yin yang, as the authors discussed in their exploration of Carl Jung’s own ideas about these kinds of shared phenomena and synchronicity). I really enjoyed this kind of novel application, taking unexplained events and using scholarly theories and approaches across many different disciplines to explain them. Furthermore, the authors made some really unique and interesting connections between UAP and other events, in particular in religion, spirituality, and anthropology. One of the chapters explored similarities between religious experiences like those of St. Theresa or Our Lady of Fatima’s appearance to children in Portugal. These experiences highlight not just unique encounters but also provide a religious and spiritual context for explaining sightings and unexplained occurrences. Furthermore, they highlight the nature of shared experiences and how these events might shape participants' perceptions of the events. Other chapters detail how shamans and their ability to navigate between the world of humans and spirits might also serve as an explanation for sightings and UAP. The authors note how many different accounts of shamans follow a particular script that aligns with some of the UAP they present in the first part of the book including suffering or an illness leading to an encounter or altered consciousness that provides new insights. Another chapter explores how culture and symbols also may affect our ideas about UAP and unexplained events. However, I found some of the sections on skepticism and doubt to be particularly interesting. The authors explore how doubt and skepticism is part of culture, but also acknowledge the kinds of costs associated with being more open minded to these kinds of phenomena. Nevertheless, they present several examples of well-regarded thinkers and intellectuals who pursued unexplained events, noting that this kind of open-mindedness about unexplained events is more akin to the intellectual tradition that leads to more discoveries than closing the door on unexplained events. There’s a lot to investigate and explore with this final section, and this part of the book left me with many thoughts and questions. I couldn’t stop thinking about the New Jersey lights in the sky last December, and how people were seeking multiple explanations, turning to conspiracies and willing to accept nearly any idea or explanation. Yu and Branscum’s book pulls on that thread, the human need to find definitive proof or a clear explanation for the unexplained but also offers several different ways to unravel these mysteries. I loved that they presented so many different theories and approaches, tying together different disciplines, examples, and theories to show how these strange events are experienced and perceived across different histories and cultures. This was a unique and fascinating book- one I will revisit. Highly recommended!

 

Sometimes Dead Is Better: The Fisherman by John Langan

 The Fisherman by John Langan

The Fisherman book cover

Author John Langan

The Fisherman by John Langan is a disturbing and disquieting novel that contained both disgusting and fantastic imagery and situations, which is probably why it was one of my favorite horror novels that I’ve read this year. Although the book came out nearly 10 years ago, the story is almost timeless and reflects the qualities and characteristics of many great American horror and gothic writers. I loved the way that Langan frames the story of Abe, a widower who befriends a co-worker who also experienced the tragic loss of his family. While Abe and Dan came to their grief in different ways, Abe, whose wife died of cancer a few years prior to Dan’s family’s car accident, recognizes the signs of grief that mark Dan as adrift and struggling. Abe uses fishing as a means to pull himself out of the house and eventually uses it as a means to bond with and support Dan as he tries to navigate his loss and life without his family. Abe is a great narrator, and I loved his candid revelations about his grief and behavior after his wife’s death. His story is both relatable and engaging, making the sense of loss accessible as well as creating a sense of empathy for him. It’s also why his ability to notice Dan’s sense of grief after his family’s accident makes Abe even more likeable. There’s something about Abe’s narrative that reminds me of some of the best Stephen King narrators. He is honest and lays his grief bare, but at the same time presents his loss and grieving behavior in some kind of humorous and relatable hindsight.

Abe’s story takes a detour as he and Dan set out to fish at Dutchman’s Creek, a remote and legendary fishing spot in upstate New York. On their trip to Dutchman’s Creek, they stop at a diner where the owner, Howard, shares a legend about the creek and its supposed mythical qualities. I was really surprised at this shift of perspective from Abe and Dan’s bonding over their grief to a story told to Howard by an elderly resident of the town about her father and husband’s experiences with The Fisherman of Dutchman’s Creek. This part of the story was incredible and had so many different influences streaming through it. The story is a story of immigrants who take the opportunity to make a new life for themselves in New York, with Rainer escaping from his studies at a university in Germany for initially unknown reasons. There’s also the mysterious Dort, who loses his wife and becomes somewhat reclusive, but also wealthy after her death. Dort also befriends a mysterious man in black who ultimately overtakes his home. There seem to be parallels between Dort and Abe and Dan, who have all lost their spouses. In many ways too, Rainer also experiences a kind of cultural death, but he sees opportunities to remake himself using his intuition, knowledge and skills rather than relying on other means, like his esoteric linguistic studies from the university. His rebirth/renewal is similar to the reemergence that Abe experiences with fishing. Both men find new life through water, as Rainier eventually becomes a mason working on a new reservoir. I also couldn’t help but think about Moby Dick with some of these elements in both narratives. Abe, a shortened version of a biblical name, tells a story of his own previous experiences much like Ishmael, the narrator of Melville’s classic. Furthermore, Rainier’s colleagues in masonry are primarily immigrants as well, similar to the diverse make-up of the Pequod’s crew. Both stories also feature a Leviathan-like beast, a large, terrible beast whose whiteness represents death and the unknown. Furthermore, the little community that Rainer settles in with mysterious older men kind of reminded me of Hawthorne’s work where members talk about one another and gossip occurs. However, I think that Poe and Lovecraft probably stood out as one of the most prominent examples from Howard’s nested narrative. There are elements of guilt that some of the characters experience from their losses and actions, and this grief ends up haunting them in ways that they cannot imagine. However, it is the strange creatures that come from the waters that eventually become Dutchman’s Creek that resemble the kinds of cosmic horror that Lovecraft described as the old gods. Rainier’s application of his university studies, his mystical learning and ability to craft sigils and symbols to harness the dark powers really reminded me of Lovecraft’s work. There are also many references to mythology, particularly Egyptian mythology (Apep or Apophis) and Biblical mythology (Leviathan). This was also a really cool reference and a way to represent the kind of power and chaos that can be unleashed when people try to challenge nature.

One other reference I couldn’t help but notice from this story was that of RW Jacob’s classic story “The Monkey’s Paw” or its more recent novelization in King’s Pet Semetary, where the message is to be careful what one wishes for (or maybe sometimes dead is better). Part of Dutchman’s Creek’s allure is its ability to conjure up the dead and bring them back to life; however, like all of these great stories, this kind of return comes at a cost, primarily to the wisher or those that seek to spend some last moments with their lost loved ones. Helen, a wife and mother who dies and “comes back wrong”, helps to remind readers of this important message, and she was one of the more terrifying examples of the unnatural consequences of trying to cheat death. Langan repeatedly describes her eyes as a haunting, glowing yellow, but also notes how her body, destroyed by a carriage accident, remains bent at odd, unnatural angles. She speaks in a watery, garbled voice, and eventually undergoes a kind of piscine transformation. Her husband, George, struggles to keep his sanity after Helen’s return, and eventually experiences one of the more frightening and gross deaths, spewing continuous streams of black water and eye-headed tadpoles. I loved Langan’s imaginative creatures and consequences of exploring the dark arts. He created such a terrifying vision and unique spin on these stories, making it compelling to read. Rainer and colleagues eventually must battle Der Fisher, the mysterious man who has brought so much chaos to the town, and the remainder of Howard’s story details these events. There’s so much inventive cosmic horror happening in these sections, it was really cool to read. However, I loved how Langan uses this story about death and grief to set us up for Abe and Dan’s visit to Dutchman’s Creek, leaving us to wonder about Dan’s intentions of visiting this creek where the dead seem to return, but possibly all wrong or at a cost. It’s a great narrative structure that has several interconnected stories all tied together. It’s a brilliant book, and I’m glad that I was finally able to read this amazing story. I know it was on my to-read list, and after reading Langan’s essay from the excellent collection Why I Love Horror edited by Becky Siegel Spratford, I knew that I wanted to read this book. It exceeded my expectations, and is a book I not only recommend, but would love to revisit. 

Exploring Dark Goddesses Across Cultures in Tales of the Dark Feminine by V Castro

 Tales of the Dark Feminine: Inspirational Stories of the World's Fiercest Goddesses by V. Castro

Tales of the Dark Feminine book cover

Author V. Castro 

Many thanks to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of V. Castro’s magnificent collection of female-centered folktales and myths Tales of the Dark Feminine: Inspirational Stories of the World’s Fiercest Goddesses. I’ve been meaning to read some books by V. Castro, and recently read her excellent contribution to the family centered horror anthology Roots of My Fears. Castro’s story, “The Veteran”, was one of the best in that collection- it’s heartfelt, scary, and surprising, yet she manages to capture the terror in brief and sudden moments, while there’s some underlying tension in the scenes between the action. In some ways, many of the stories from this collection follow a kind of similar pattern and contain some shocking and unexpected turns. 

This book has a lot to love, especially if you are a fan of horror or mythology. There are tales from many different cultures, regions, and historical periods. The tales in this book feature goddesses from ancient India, Greece, Egypt, and Japan. There are also Aztec, Celtic, Welsh, and Norse goddesses. Castro identifies the ways that these goddesses wield their power to either get what they want, solve a problem, or help another person out. She uses tales as examples of their power and not necessarily caring about what others think or how they look. While some of the goddesses are attractive and use their beauty as a means to an end, others are hideous and monstrous like or elderly, yet ultimately prevail in exacting a kind of justice or balance in their world. Throughout these stories and character studies, readers will recognize how women experience both a kind of marginalization, but also are ultimately able to either rise above these kinds of disputes and limitations or find some characteristic or quality that empowers them and brings them a sense of relief or justice. What I really enjoyed about each selection was that they were accompanied by exquisite black and white drawings, almost like wood carvings or reliefs. Each drawing depicted the goddesses demonstrating their power or managing the issues they encountered with their unique qualities or characteristics. Following the story, each goddess was accompanied by an explanation or background about their story, their history, and/or their culture. These were brief descriptions, usually lasting 1-2 paragraphs. I loved that Castro often included further reading for each of these stories, suggesting some books or source texts that served as the inspiration for her own stories about these goddesses. Each of these was then followed by a brief analysis or reflection on the message or meaning of the goddesses’ power and how these stories would relate to modern women. I also really enjoyed this aspect of the book as well since Castro’s analysis was thoughtful, succinct, but also creative and unique. Even when these goddesses faced death, destruction, the loss of children, or violence, Castro identifies a key point or idea to take away and apply to our own lives. It’s something that I found helpful as a reader, but also something that will bring me back to revisit these stories. 

It's hard to say what my favorite story was throughout the book. I enjoyed reading about some of the myths and goddesses I was already familiar with like Athena, Medusa, and Hecate. Castro is able to recreate these myths to make them more story-like. I also loved learning more about some of the goddesses and myths I maybe had heard about before or did not know about at all. For example, the story of the Krasue, a Thai-ghost like woman who haunts a modern woman’s home, was creepy, bloody, and gross; however, it was one of the best in the book. It was atmospheric and eerie. I actually remember seeing a Filipino movie about a similar kind of ghost, and Castro notes how the Krasue was also found in other cultures in Southeast Asia. I also loved reading about the Afro-Latin goddesses like the Orishas like Oshun and Yamaya, whose spirits and stories travelled across the oceans and wound up being celebrated in Brazil and Cuba. The Mictecacihuatl, a goddess of the Aztec underworld, was fascinating to learn about. Castro’s story, like the Krasue story, includes a woman from modern times who is able to encounter and learn from the goddess, rather than fear her. The story of Yuki Onna, a snow witch, was a story I read about in Hearn’s Kwaiden, a book that Castro also recommended. It was also made famous in a 1960s Japanese horror movie, so it was cool to read about Castro’s own story and her interpretation of the meaning of the story. While most of the stories were dark and feature the kind of violent irony that serves as a harsh teacher, not all of them were this dark. For example. The story of the Pomba Gira was uplifting and hopeful. Similarly, I loved reading about Maman Brigitte, who is a Loa found in Vodou-type religions. She shares some similarities with other deities but also serves as a kind of protector or source of justice for those who have been wronged. 

Tales of the Dark Feminine is an excellent book that I would love to revisit. I read a digital version, but I can only imagine how amazing these pictures look in a physical book. I also think this is the kind of book that would serve as a great reference or source for creativity, as it seems that Castro developed her own interpretations and ideas about the meanings of these goddesses. I could see this book used in a classroom for students to reference and develop their own stories that highlighted a goddesses’ superpowers or her influence on mortals, as well as the kind of lesson she might teach. I think it would be a great book especially for reluctant readers who maybe cannot always see themselves in the readings or maybe get bored with stories that seem irrelevant or to lack action. These stories are brief and succinct. Although not always appropriate, a teacher might need to make some editorial decisions depending on the age of the students. Nevertheless, the book would be a great addition to any library or collection. Tales of the Dark Feminine is engaging, educational, and entertaining. I really enjoyed the stories and learned a lot from them. Highly recommended!

Corporations and Clans: Fiend by Alma Katsu

 Fiend by Alma Katsu

Fiend book cover

Author Alma Katsu

Many thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for allowing me to preview Alma Katsu’s excellent new book Fiend. I was really excited to see this book available since I have a few of Katsu’s books on my to be read shelf. This opportunity to preview the book would propel her book further up on my list and allow me to read one of modern horrors most popular writers. Although Fiend differs in setting from some of Katsu’s other books that often take a historical perspective on horror, this book set in the modern corporate world has plenty of intrigue, suspense, and a few brutal kills. What I enjoyed most about this book was the narrative propulsion, and how quickly the book moved. The chapters were brief, but full of character development or key action, and helped to move the story forward by creating these complex characters who were motivated not only by family and tradition, but also by power and their own desires. Katsu created some complex characters who I both felt sympathy for and questioned their motivations and behaviors. This kind of character development kept me reading to see what would happen next. Although Fiend is a horror book, it also reminded me a lot of the show Succession, where siblings vie for the affections and attention of the family’s patriarch, whose focus on family seems to blur with the family’s namesake company, Berisha International. Katsu has developed some amazing characters who are unique, and represent different ideals for the company: Dardan, the reluctant first born son, Maris, the bold middle daughter, and Nora, the neglected youngest, all have different ideas about the direction the company should pursue as their father, Zef, a hardnosed Albanian immigrant, continues to blend strategy with morally questionable methods. I loved how different chapters focused on different siblings, exploring their relationships both in contemporary times and occasionally alternating with experiences from the past. This kind of narrative structure with chapters labeled “Now” and “Then” was a great device that Katsu uses to give some backstory to the siblings’ complicated relationship with their father and better understand why Zef decided it was best to move out of the house, but still have dinner with the family on Sundays. Beyond Succession, the book’s narrative structure focusing on multiple complex characters and occasionally shifting between present and past reminded me of some Stephen King novels, where we see how past events and traumas can affect characters’ behaviors and how they treat one another in the present.

One of the other elements of this book that I loved is how Katsu blended a kind of folk horror/folklore and mythology with a modern corporate story. I don’t want to give anything away, but as Albanian immigrants, Zef and his wife Olga have decided to maintain some of the traditions and practices from the old country. This leads to some tension with their first generation children who were born in America, and struggle to understand some of the unreasonable expectations around marriage choices and lineage regarding the operation of the family’s company. Fiend features many plot twists and turns, revealing some unexpected events, yet Katsu provides a slow burn as the children’s memories of strange events from their childhood eventually lend credence to the forces that have made Zef such a feared and powerful CEO. This was a fun and exciting book to read, one that I highly recommend. It’s a propulsive read that kept me engaged, wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen next. It’s also a timely read that calls into question the nature of corporate behavior and ethics, making me wonder at which point do we question profits over people. While Katsu doesn’t propose any solutions or preach any answers, she does present an entertaining parable about the desire for power and the irony of enjoying leadership and responsibility. Highly recommended!