Beware the Banshee's Cry: The Folklore & History of Messengers of Death

by Steven J. Rolfes

Unveil the mystery of the banshee and other entities that bridge the gap between life and death with this book's extensive Celtic folklore and historic cases. From deities like the Morrigan to death-related beings such as the Doppelgänger, Steven J. Rolfes examines what banshees are and how they have captivated humanity for centuries.

This book presents numerous examples of banshees, such as the omens connected to President Abraham Lincoln's murder and modern encounters with the herald of the grave. You'll learn about the piercing wails at the 1876 hanging of a young Irish murderer, the sign of impending death that came for the German philosopher Goethe, and much more. From ghostly white women in Germany to avian creatures in the jungles of Sri Lanka, this book will thrill you with tales of death messengers from all around the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Folklore, History

296 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2024

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun dive into the different iterations of the banshee beginning in Ireland and travelling to other countries. The book is peppered throughout with first-hand accounts of individuals' encounters with death's messengers.

[Ember James · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book's history and storytelling were good. However, the number of examples felt excessive. About halfway through, I was ready to put it down.

[Sandra L. Place · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive compilation of folk lore, especially delightful in the season of spirits!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting combination of history and folklore that tracks the variations of the banshee in Ireland, across the Isles, and around the world, to cultures in nearly every continent.
I was vaguely aware of the similarities between La Llorona and the banshee, but had no idea how common the concept is, or how many types of banshee there are within each culture. I learned a lot.