Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland

by Steve Roud

Are black cats lucky or unlucky? What should you do when you hear the first cuckoo? Since when have people believed that it's unlucky to shoot an albatross? Why does breaking a mirror lead to misfortune? This fascinating collection answers these and many other questions about the world of superstitions and forms an endlessly browsable guide to a subject that continues to obsess and intrigue.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, History, Mythology, Folklore, Ireland, Paranormal

Paperback

First published October 30, 2003

Reviews

[latner3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love superstitions always have.I suppose i got it from my grandfather,a very superstitious man.He kept a rabbit foot in one pocket for luck and a potato in another pocket to ward off rheumatism.Well one day he stepped off the pavement to avoid walking under a ladder and was hit by a car.The funeral service was quite moving.Sorry i digress this is a great book for those who want to know the origins of superstitions.A very good read.

[Jon Corelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland is just what the title indicates: a comprehensive presentation of British and Irish superstitions, arranged in encyclopedia form with brief-to-long articles under subject headings. I have no academic expertise in the subject and so can't pass a scholarly judgement, but the author certainly seems well informed, and the sources he quotes range from recent times to almost the Middle Ages, so the book seems convincing. I'd say anyone who is interested in this subject, whether as a student of superstitions or because you (or a family member) grew up in Britain or Ireland where these beliefs were prevalent, will find this book endlessly interesting to browse through.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s very dry but very informative.

[[ J o ] · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ to review at a later date - possibly even re-read at a later date as well, though not urgent ]