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Black Cats & Evil Eyes: A Book of Old-Fashioned Superstitions
An amusing and scholarly look at the fascinating stories behind old-fashioned legends and superstition
This collection investigates the origins of history's most intriguing old-fashioned superstitions, many of which people still find themselves abiding by today. Hundreds of the beliefs passed down through the generations have their foundations in ancestry's efforts to ward off evil, which they blamed for hardship, illness, and injustice in times when life was, as often as not, "nasty, brutish, and short." Black Cats and Evil Eyes sets these superstitions in their historical and social context, explaining how fear of the devil, demons, evil spirits, and witchcraft drove people to arm themselves with rituals and talismans to repel dark forces and allow them to live long and healthy lives. In examining many of our common superstitions, this book illuminates the customs, beliefs, and practices of an ancient, and often darker, human past.
This collection investigates the origins of history's most intriguing old-fashioned superstitions, many of which people still find themselves abiding by today. Hundreds of the beliefs passed down through the generations have their foundations in ancestry's efforts to ward off evil, which they blamed for hardship, illness, and injustice in times when life was, as often as not, "nasty, brutish, and short." Black Cats and Evil Eyes sets these superstitions in their historical and social context, explaining how fear of the devil, demons, evil spirits, and witchcraft drove people to arm themselves with rituals and talismans to repel dark forces and allow them to live long and healthy lives. In examining many of our common superstitions, this book illuminates the customs, beliefs, and practices of an ancient, and often darker, human past.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2012
103 people are currently reading
1258 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
June 20, 2014
As so many reviewers has mentioned before me, this little book is beautifully executed. Its front cover is gorgeous and the illustrations within are quirky and eye-catching. The book is organized very logically and it is easy to find the myths that you're interested in.
However, that is about the only positive thing I have to say about this volume. Due to the many, many myths Rhodes has chosen, there isn't time to explore each myth fully. It all becomes very superficial and the book doesn't always feel very well-researched.
Reading this also becomes very repetitive, as so many of the myths share the same origin. Wouldn't it have been better to reduce the amount of myths and then dedicate more time and more pages to each myth?
However, that is about the only positive thing I have to say about this volume. Due to the many, many myths Rhodes has chosen, there isn't time to explore each myth fully. It all becomes very superficial and the book doesn't always feel very well-researched.
Reading this also becomes very repetitive, as so many of the myths share the same origin. Wouldn't it have been better to reduce the amount of myths and then dedicate more time and more pages to each myth?
March 6, 2021
Started out strong and witty but devolved into boring, repetitive, and sometimes flat out wrong (no, Odin's ravens are not named Huginn and Midgard *eyeroll*) by the end, not to mention how it didn't even have an epilogue at the end and it was suddenly over, straight into acknowledgements. Would probably be a fun gift for someone.
August 4, 2020
Very interesting!
March 18, 2020
Black cats and evil eyes is a collection of random superstitions. The book explains the superstition origins, how they were incorporated in our day to day lives. Some of these are well-known while the others have faded over the years. It was amazing to see so many similarities despite the difference in religions and traditions. Each superstition has a short description attached to it, relating to their original explanations and sometimes a few lines of historical importance.
Chloe Rhodes's writing is lucid and it is definitely one of the best thing about this book. Although the book received some mixed reviews on goodreads, it was quite entertaining and definitely a different sort of reading experience.
Chloe Rhodes's writing is lucid and it is definitely one of the best thing about this book. Although the book received some mixed reviews on goodreads, it was quite entertaining and definitely a different sort of reading experience.
July 5, 2020
A Fun Read
If you’ve ever wondered where superstitions began, read this book. Plenty of information as to the origins of many, plus it’s entertaining.
If you’ve ever wondered where superstitions began, read this book. Plenty of information as to the origins of many, plus it’s entertaining.
June 30, 2021
Great little book. I'm very superstitious and reading this actually reassured me. Also, I especially liked the bit about magpies in Manchester.
August 9, 2022
Pretty good read. Helped me lots to have something available to read if I had some free minutes as work, so as to keep a steady rhythm.
A nice lil info dump cut in bite-sized pieces, it'll help you a lot in the random trivia department.
Also the cover is super cute.
A nice lil info dump cut in bite-sized pieces, it'll help you a lot in the random trivia department.
Also the cover is super cute.
January 4, 2024
Một cuốn sách với những thông tin về mê tín vô cùng mới đối với mình. Mình nghĩ cuốn sách sẽ phù hợp với những ai chưa từng biết hoặc biết rất ít về mê tín nhưng vẫn có sự tò mò muốn tìm hiểu. Những thông tin được đề cập trong sách đủ thú vị, nhưng không được giải thích quá sâu nên đây có vẻ chỉ là một cuốn nhập môn về mê tín dị đoan mà thôi.
June 20, 2025
A fun and short read that taught me a lot about different superstitions. It was interesting seeing how interconnected some religions and cultures are around certain ones such as the fear surrounding the number 13. I did find some historical factoids a bit repetitive in certain sections. Overall, I enjoyed this read as someone who likes spooky things and knowing random fun facts.
October 8, 2017
This was just okay. But that cover is to die for, so I’m keeping it.
March 16, 2022
Quick and fun read - love learning about where old superstitions come from and how they developed over time
May 24, 2022
I enjoyed this book. It gives a brief but good background on each superstition.
June 5, 2023
3.5⭐
overall it was really cute! but it felt really repetitive at times which was a bit of a bummer.
it's a quick read and the cover is BEAUTIFUL!!
I would recommend!
overall it was really cute! but it felt really repetitive at times which was a bit of a bummer.
it's a quick read and the cover is BEAUTIFUL!!
I would recommend!
October 26, 2023
Like many of the reviews have said it’s really interesting for a snap shot of the superstitions. But, there’s a lot more to delve into and a lot more research and primary sources out there.
April 3, 2017
Nice, very quick overview of superstitions, 3-5 paragraphs dedicated to each one. Many I'd never heard of.
December 29, 2018
Was okay. I mean it's a book written off of so many other books. I really loved the cover though.
April 18, 2024
I was disappointed w/ this for Ms. Rhodes was so brief in her descriptions of the superstitions they were almost non-existent. I was hoping for more detail but she was so succinct in her descriptions providing just the bare minimum of the origins of the superstitions she presented. It couldn't even be considered an introduction or starting point for further research into superstitions. There are far better books on superstitions than this one. Ms. Rhodes could have done much better.
May 15, 2023
This book is adorable, both in size, the cover, and just kind of how it’s a quaint little book on superstition.
It was a very quick read and a really enjoyable one, both because superstitions [especially ye olde ones] are pretty hilarious, but also that there is/are a ton of superstitions I had no idea about. That, and it was interesting finding out the roots for the ones I already do/did know about.
Everything from superstitions that are still common today [saying ‘bless you’ when someone sneezes, saying ‘knock on wood,’ and people not wanting to open umbrellas inside, as examples] to really really old one that obviously were left in the past, such as wearing toads on necklaces to ward away the Plague. [lmao]
There’s not a lot to tell about the book really, other than it was educational and really interesting to see the wacky things we used to and still do believe.
So I decided I’d choose a random entry to post here:
It is Bad Fortune to Use Scissors on New Years Day.
In folklore, scissors were imbued with special powers to sever more than just the fabric and paper for which they were designed. In the Middle Ages, they were used as a protection against witchcraft and were hidden near a doorway to prevent witches from entering, or secreted beneath a cushion or under a rug to make a witch feel uncomfortable in a room and force her to leave without using her wiles to harm the inhabitants. Their protective powers were thought to be magnified if they were left open in the shape of a cross, adding the divine protection of the crucifix to the strength to the iron and steel of and keenness of the sharpened blades. Using such a powerful instrument on the first day of the year, even for a minor domestic task, was frowned upon because it was thought to risk cutting off good fortune for the coming year.
I give Black Cats and Evil Eyes 5/5 Upside-Down Bread Loafs [Read and you’ll understand]
It was a very quick read and a really enjoyable one, both because superstitions [especially ye olde ones] are pretty hilarious, but also that there is/are a ton of superstitions I had no idea about. That, and it was interesting finding out the roots for the ones I already do/did know about.
Everything from superstitions that are still common today [saying ‘bless you’ when someone sneezes, saying ‘knock on wood,’ and people not wanting to open umbrellas inside, as examples] to really really old one that obviously were left in the past, such as wearing toads on necklaces to ward away the Plague. [lmao]
There’s not a lot to tell about the book really, other than it was educational and really interesting to see the wacky things we used to and still do believe.
So I decided I’d choose a random entry to post here:
It is Bad Fortune to Use Scissors on New Years Day.
In folklore, scissors were imbued with special powers to sever more than just the fabric and paper for which they were designed. In the Middle Ages, they were used as a protection against witchcraft and were hidden near a doorway to prevent witches from entering, or secreted beneath a cushion or under a rug to make a witch feel uncomfortable in a room and force her to leave without using her wiles to harm the inhabitants. Their protective powers were thought to be magnified if they were left open in the shape of a cross, adding the divine protection of the crucifix to the strength to the iron and steel of and keenness of the sharpened blades. Using such a powerful instrument on the first day of the year, even for a minor domestic task, was frowned upon because it was thought to risk cutting off good fortune for the coming year.
I give Black Cats and Evil Eyes 5/5 Upside-Down Bread Loafs [Read and you’ll understand]
June 3, 2016
This is a great book for anyone who wants to find out more about the origins of some of the most widely-believed superstitions in history, some of which are even present today. Although chances are that most readers will be familiar with most of the stories, it's still an enjoyable read.
What I disliked about the book is that there was too much repetition. Like some of the previous reviewers have already said, Rhodes should have focused on fewer stories and explored them in depth instead of listing various superstitions that share the same roots.
What I disliked about the book is that there was too much repetition. Like some of the previous reviewers have already said, Rhodes should have focused on fewer stories and explored them in depth instead of listing various superstitions that share the same roots.
May 3, 2015
Funny to read, but the Historian in me want sources, not something one person has read and then re-told. And it shows with some of the historical mistakes she makes, which also shows that the author only read one or two books about the subject. These mistakes wouldn't be there if the author had read a little bit more.
But putting that aside it is an interesting book.
But putting that aside it is an interesting book.
December 17, 2018
The cover made this book look so interesting but it was SO boring. I forgot pretty much everything I read. The author also seemed to have a negative view on anything that came from Christianity or religion. Actually it seems like the author isn't superstitious at all, I'm not sure why she wanted to write this. Thank you next.
May 3, 2019
I enjoyed this. I found the stories and background behind the myths or superstitions interesting. Some were a little repetitive and I think it could have been organized a little better, but I liked it overall!
January 3, 2013
Good fun but gets a little bit samey towards the end, well worth it though and thoroughly chomp-able.
July 1, 2024
This was a reread, and after reading it with my partner, it left a lot to be desired. I felt like it was very repetitive and could have used a good editing and reorganization process.
March 12, 2023
Quick read but definitely becomes repetitive
December 22, 2013
rather thin and disappointing in its superficiality.
April 24, 2022
bilimin henüz ilerlemediği dönemlerde; doğum, ölüm, hastalık, evlilik gibi hayatımızın önemli anlarını ve bu anların nedenlerini metafizikle ilişkilendirmişiz. insanlar, olumsuzluklara önlem alma ya da olumlu sonuçlar elde etme amacıyla; farklı inanışlara sahip olmuşlar. bu inanışların bir kısmının tesadüfi sebepleri olmakla birlikte, daha çok dini kaynaklarının olduğunu söyleyebiliriz. kitapta da özellikle batı dünyasında yaygın olan batıl inançlar ve kaynak sebepleri üzerinde durulmuş.
batıl inançlara konu olan öznelerin başında okuduğum kadarıyla hayvanlar geliyor. bu hayvanlar arasında belki de en bildiğimiz “kara kedi”ler. her ne kadar kedilere adeta tapan bir ülke olarak, türkçeye bile “iki kişinin arasına kara kedi girmesi” anlamında bir deyim bulunuyor. diğer bir örnek olarak örümcekleri verebiliriz. büyüklerimiz bizi hep evdeki örümcekleri öldürmememiz için tembihlerdi. örümcekleri öldürmenin uğursuzluk getireceğine dair inanışın iki farklı kaynağı bulunuyor. dini kaynağının ibrahimi dinlerdeki üç farklı hikayeye dayandığını söyleyebiliriz. üçünde de mağara girişinde yer alan ağlar sebebiyle olayların aktörlerinin kurtulmuş olması bunda rol oynamış. diğeri ise örümceklerin, böcekleri avlaması ile ekinlerin zarar görmesinin engellenmesi. bu iki örnek haricinde kuşlar, kurbağalar, tavşanlar gibi çok sayıda hayvanın ve bu hayvanların parçalarının birçok batıl inanca konu olduğunu görüyoruz.
dini kaynaklı batıl inançlardan biri ve en ünlüsü de 13 sayısı. son akşam yemeğinde 13 havariden masaya son gelen judas’ın daha sonra isa’ya ihanet etmesi, bu sayının uğursuz kabul edilmesine sebep olmuş. iskandinav mitolojisinde de benzer bir hikaye bulunuyormuş. çok yaygın şekilde bu inanışın sürdüğünü söylemek mümkün. bazı otellerde 13 numaralı odalar ve bazı yüksek binalarda 13. katın yer almamasından da hala yaygınlığını anlayabiliriz.
türkler olarak çevremizde de çok fazla sayıda batıl inanç bulunuyor. nazar boncuğu, at nalı, kulak çınlaması, avuçların kaşınması, “şeytan dürtmesi” adını verdiğimiz anlık titreme durumu gibi çok fazlasıyla gün içerisinde karşılaşıyoruz veya bu durumları yaşıyoruz. kitabın kapsamı ve nedenlerinin kaynaklandırılması çok tatmin edici olmasa da, genel kültür amacıyla okunabilir.
batıl inançlara konu olan öznelerin başında okuduğum kadarıyla hayvanlar geliyor. bu hayvanlar arasında belki de en bildiğimiz “kara kedi”ler. her ne kadar kedilere adeta tapan bir ülke olarak, türkçeye bile “iki kişinin arasına kara kedi girmesi” anlamında bir deyim bulunuyor. diğer bir örnek olarak örümcekleri verebiliriz. büyüklerimiz bizi hep evdeki örümcekleri öldürmememiz için tembihlerdi. örümcekleri öldürmenin uğursuzluk getireceğine dair inanışın iki farklı kaynağı bulunuyor. dini kaynağının ibrahimi dinlerdeki üç farklı hikayeye dayandığını söyleyebiliriz. üçünde de mağara girişinde yer alan ağlar sebebiyle olayların aktörlerinin kurtulmuş olması bunda rol oynamış. diğeri ise örümceklerin, böcekleri avlaması ile ekinlerin zarar görmesinin engellenmesi. bu iki örnek haricinde kuşlar, kurbağalar, tavşanlar gibi çok sayıda hayvanın ve bu hayvanların parçalarının birçok batıl inanca konu olduğunu görüyoruz.
dini kaynaklı batıl inançlardan biri ve en ünlüsü de 13 sayısı. son akşam yemeğinde 13 havariden masaya son gelen judas’ın daha sonra isa’ya ihanet etmesi, bu sayının uğursuz kabul edilmesine sebep olmuş. iskandinav mitolojisinde de benzer bir hikaye bulunuyormuş. çok yaygın şekilde bu inanışın sürdüğünü söylemek mümkün. bazı otellerde 13 numaralı odalar ve bazı yüksek binalarda 13. katın yer almamasından da hala yaygınlığını anlayabiliriz.
türkler olarak çevremizde de çok fazla sayıda batıl inanç bulunuyor. nazar boncuğu, at nalı, kulak çınlaması, avuçların kaşınması, “şeytan dürtmesi” adını verdiğimiz anlık titreme durumu gibi çok fazlasıyla gün içerisinde karşılaşıyoruz veya bu durumları yaşıyoruz. kitabın kapsamı ve nedenlerinin kaynaklandırılması çok tatmin edici olmasa da, genel kültür amacıyla okunabilir.
January 7, 2019
I was drawn to the cover of this book, and the book itself is quite nice, plus I was interested to learn more about ridiculous superstitions that people have believed or still believe.
Reading this, however, it was very hard for me as it wasn't nearly as interesting as I was expecting. While there were a few interesting facts and I did learn quite a few things, I found myself growing tired as I read through it. While it's nice to learn the origins of some widely spread superstitions, some of which I didn't even realize were superstitions, you quickly start to realize how... stupid, for lack of a better word, they really are.
Most of these superstitions have religious backgrounds and origins, which is something I tend to avoid. It started to make sense to me, though - only religious folk would be crazy enough to believe in some of this stuff. I don't want to be mean, but it honestly felt like an 80-year-old history professor was slowly droning through a lesson until the whole class was ready to jump out the window.
I found myself having to force myself to keep reading or to go back to this book after a break. It was hard for me to get through and was quite boring. I had to re-read the same paragraph over several times because my brain just wasn't having it.
Reading this, however, it was very hard for me as it wasn't nearly as interesting as I was expecting. While there were a few interesting facts and I did learn quite a few things, I found myself growing tired as I read through it. While it's nice to learn the origins of some widely spread superstitions, some of which I didn't even realize were superstitions, you quickly start to realize how... stupid, for lack of a better word, they really are.
Most of these superstitions have religious backgrounds and origins, which is something I tend to avoid. It started to make sense to me, though - only religious folk would be crazy enough to believe in some of this stuff. I don't want to be mean, but it honestly felt like an 80-year-old history professor was slowly droning through a lesson until the whole class was ready to jump out the window.
I found myself having to force myself to keep reading or to go back to this book after a break. It was hard for me to get through and was quite boring. I had to re-read the same paragraph over several times because my brain just wasn't having it.
December 22, 2023
Delicious!
"Black Cats & Evil Eyes: A Book of Old Fashioned Superstitions" is a tantalizing little bite of black magic, old-fashioned omens, and history of old wives tales that I can't get enough of. A thorough compendium, it is not, but not does it promise to be.
It's like having a cozy conversation with an old friend who shares intriguing stories, including two of my favorite creatures: black cats and magpies.
This captivating book scratches that itch of curiosity, offering just enough to inspire further research and exploration into the enchanting world of superstitions.
The cover artwork, tailored for someone like me who loves living amidst plants, books of magic, spells, and the company of black cats, is simply gorgeous. It's a must-have addition to my collection, inviting me to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of folklore and mystery that surrounds these fascinating stories.
"Black Cats & Evil Eyes: A Book of Old Fashioned Superstitions" is a tantalizing little bite of black magic, old-fashioned omens, and history of old wives tales that I can't get enough of. A thorough compendium, it is not, but not does it promise to be.
It's like having a cozy conversation with an old friend who shares intriguing stories, including two of my favorite creatures: black cats and magpies.
This captivating book scratches that itch of curiosity, offering just enough to inspire further research and exploration into the enchanting world of superstitions.
The cover artwork, tailored for someone like me who loves living amidst plants, books of magic, spells, and the company of black cats, is simply gorgeous. It's a must-have addition to my collection, inviting me to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of folklore and mystery that surrounds these fascinating stories.
January 26, 2021
Not impressed by this book at all. The focus is mainly on American and Western European superstitions from Middle-Ages to Modern Era. And while mention of other countries and time periods happens there is no focus or any in depth look at it culturally. To be fair, there is no real in-depth or cultural look at anything. The "explanation" of these superstitions is from a Christian-centric learning with only the barest mention of how other religions or cultures have seen things. It is 90% fear of the devil and how the Church influenced things. Which, while true, if you are going to mention how owls were important to Greeks because of Athena you should not them mention how Shakespeare wrote how they were evil without some cultural evolution. The book is also fraught with mistakes. One example: Odin's ravens are NOT named Huginn and Midgard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews