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Book Review: Vampires of Lore: Traits and Modern Misconceptions by A.P. Sylvia

Vampires of Lore: Traits and Modern Misconceptions by A. P. Sylvia

Schiffer Publishing, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-7643-5792-3

Available: Hardcover

 

Vampires of Lore: Traits and Modern Misconceptions by A. P. Sylvia is a readable, concise deconstruction of vampire legends. Sylvia compares vampires in modern-day fiction to superstitious beliefs about vampires in folklore. The author describes vampires in literature and movies of the 1800s and later, such as Bram Stoker’s 1897 Dracula, the German 1922 movie Nosferatu and the 1990’s television series, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as well as creatures in folk tales from around the world.

 

Sylvia defines vampires in fiction and folklore as “undead corpses of once living people, who are harming the living is some way, and are killed via taking action against the corpse itself”. The author examines 18 traits of modern-day fictional vampires, ranging from blood-drinking to transformation into bats and other animals. Surprisingly, fangs are inventions of fiction, whereas compulsive counting, exemplified by Sesame Street’s Count Von Count, is described in folklore.

 

The book has 120+ pages , footnotes and handsome illustrations on its cover and pages. However, it is not a dense, scholarly book. The author’s style is conversational and wry. Sylvia’s book would be a good addition to any vampire fan’s library. Highly recommended.

 

Reviewed by Robert D. Yee

Posted on December 2, 2019 by , Reply

Book Review: The Big Book of Monsters: The Creepiest Creatures from Classic Literature by Hal Johnson, illustrated by Tim Sievert

The Big Book of Monsters by Hal Johnson, illustrated by Tim Sievert

Workman Publishing, 2019

ISBN-13: 978-1523507115

Available: Hardcover, Kindle

 

The Big Book of Monsters features twenty-five spooky creatures from classic literature, all with their own stories explained in a concise, simple way. Each entry includes a full-colour portrait, monster ratings (scare factors with skull ratings), educational sidebars with further information, and “beyond the book” details. The latter includes information on literary history, language, and other important details pertaining to the specific monster or authors of the stories. Creatures include the Golem, Cheops the Mummy, Grendel, the Headless Horseman, Dorian Gray, Lamia, Medusa, and more. Frankenstein’s Monster has his own entry, although I would argue Dr. Victor Frankenstein is the true villain of the piece. At the end of the book, the author includes a timeline that includes the chronological order from which these monsters’ tales were created from 1750 BCE to 1915 CE; a list of further reading; a list of monsters that didn’t make the cut, notes on translations used in the entries, and a comprehensive bibliography of texts discussed in the book.

This provides a great introduction to spooky literature for young readers. A lot of research and care went into the creation of this volume. The artwork is vibrant and appropriately spooky for all monster kids, regardless of age. I reviewed an ARC copy in which Dorian Gray did not even register a skull rating. I don’t know if this was an oversight or if he was just too charming to earn a spooky rating. Highly recommended.

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on October 3, 2019 by , 2 comments

Book Review: Bigfoot Is Missing! by J. Patrick Lewis and Kenn Nesbitt, illustrated by MinaLima

Bigfoot is Missing! by J. Patrick Lewis and Kenn Nesbitt, illustrated by MinaLima

Chronicle Books, 2015

ISBN-13: 978-1452118956

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition

 

Bigfoot is Missing! is no ordinary catalogue of cryptids and monsters. Former children’s poet laureates J. Patrick Lewis and Kenn Nesbitt have created fictional “found poems” for each creature. Each double-page spread is devoted to a different creature, but unlike many guides to creatures and monsters, there are no detailed descriptions. The pages are relatively uncluttered, with the majority of space devoted to colorful, stylized illustrations. The book’s design displays each poem in a different kind of media format: text messages, news advertisements, road signs, labels, tabloid headlines, television reports, and more. It’s no surprise that the illustrations and design are such a good fit; MinaLima has created every graphic prop used in the Harry Potter movies. Short paragraphs on the inside back cover of the book provide a brief description of each cryptid, from Bigfoot to the Beast of Bodmin Moor. The creatures come from all over the world, not just the United States: among others, the Mokele-mbembe hails from Africa, while the Lusca makes its home in the Caribbean.

 

If no one told you this was poetry, you’d just think it was an entertaining, clever, metafictional take on cryptids. Don’t let its location in the children’s department trick you into thinking only children will enjoy it– this is a perfect book to share with the creature enthusiast in your life, whatever their age.  Highly recommended for children ages 4 and up.

 

 

Posted on December 1, 2017 by , Reply