The Book of Were-Wolves (Annotated): Enriched Edition. Study on Lycanthropy

First published in 1865, The Book of Were-Wolves is one of the earliest English-language attempts to treat lycanthropy as a cultural, historical, and psychological phenomenon rather than merely a Gothic curiosity. Baring-Gould ranges from classical myth and medieval chronicles to Scandinavian sagas, French trial records, and medical speculation, assembling a learned cabinet of legend, crime, superstition, and theology. Its prose is unmistakably Victorian: digressive, richly sourced, morally alert, and at times macabre, standing at the intersection of folklore studies, antiquarian history, and the emerging nineteenth-century fascination with abnormal psychology. Sabine Baring-Gould (1834–1924), Anglican priest, antiquarian, novelist, hymn-writer, and indefatigable collector of traditions, brought to the subject a cleric's interest in moral disorder and a scholar's appetite for archival oddity. His wide European reading, pastoral acquaintance with rural belief, and broader work in hagiography and folk culture equipped him to see the werewolf not simply as monster, but as a revealing figure in the history of fear. This book is highly recommended to readers of folklore, Gothic literature, mythography, and the prehistory of criminology. Though some interpretations reflect its age, its erudition, narrative force, and strange imaginative power remain compelling.

This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience. - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.

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E-bog: 12. december 2020