The Dead of Winter

by Sarah Clegg

As winter comes and the hours of darkness overtake the light, we seek out warmth, good food, and good company. But beneath the jollity and bright enchantment of the festive season, there lurks a darker mood - one that has found expression over the centuries in a host of strange and unsettling traditions and lore.

Here, Sarah Clegg takes us on a journey through midwinter to explore the lesser-known Christmas traditions, from English mummers plays and Austrian Krampus runs, to modern pagan rituals at Stonehenge and the night in Finland when a young girl is crowned with candles as St Lucy - a martyred Christian girl who also appears as a witch leading a procession of the dead. At wassails and hoodenings and winter gatherings, attended by ghastly, grinning horses, snatching monsters and mysterious visitors, we discover how these traditions originated and how they changed through the centuries, and we ask if we can't keep the darkness entirely at bay, might it be fun to let a little in?

Genres: Nonfiction, Christmas, History, Horror, Mythology, Folklore, Audiobook

Paperback

First published November 12, 2024

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a few years now I have been trying to start a holiday tradition. Around the 24th and 25th of December as you family gathers, you take a blanket, sneak up on an unsuspecting victim family member and throw it over their head yelling something such as “your ass just got Krampus’d!” and run away laughing (having had a few pours of mould wine is optional but encouraged). So far this has not caught on. But if you are like me and want to get cozy with cryptids and enjoy the darker side of the holidays, Sarah Clegg’s The Dead of Winter is a delightful tour through the fearsome festive friends that stalk the wilderness around the winter solstice. ‘Christmas teems with monsters,’ she tells us and, with a wealth of erudite research and written in a rather charming travelogue format, Clegg travels through Europe to observe the festivals around these monsters. From the Salzburg Krampus Run to solstice at Stonehenge or Finland for Lucy’s Night and more, Clegg delves into the history of the legends and literature with an academic yet endlessly engaging delivery that made this a rather exciting read. It even includes a bit on my personal favorite merry mischief-maker, Jólakötturinn the Yule Cat who, according to legend was the pet of the ogress Grýla and devours children who declined to wear their new holiday outfits. So grab some mould wine, wear your holiday best, and dive in for some seasonal scaries where such beasts help us confront our fears as we celebrate the season descending us into the darkness of winter.

Yule Cat attack!

‘A sad tale's best for winter: I have one of sprites and goblins,’ Shakespeare writes in The Winter's Tale and Clegg has tales of goblins galore. Much of the basics on the holiday horrors were familiar from the many rather coffee-table style books about them of late, but I particularly enjoyed Clegg’s travelogue method here that allowed her to elucidate the histories and cultural implication while carrying us along with her into the eerie atmospheres of the festivals and locales. We learn of the Lord of Misrule, a traditional party-planner of such that marks a blending of the sacred and the profane, before she sends us along to the Salzburg Krampus Run held on the 5th of December. This was a rather exciting chapter and the festival sounds amazing as people nervously attend to be chased and struck with reeds by the Krampus performers. Particularly children. The festival is watched over by St. Nicholas and she observes that ‘they’re his monsters, under his power,’ which is a rather comical juxtaposition from our modern day depictions of Santa.

‘If you’re used to a twinkly eyed Santa beaming kindly at little boys and girls at this time of year, perhaps the only thing more disturbing than having huge monsters attack you is watching them pick off children in the crowd.’

Through the book she attends the Chepstow Wassail and as she travels around Wales she teaches us about the Mari Lwyd who even turn up in churches for parts of their January services. A new one for me was her travel to Finland for Lucy’s Night in honor of St. Lucy where she observes that the girls ‘smiling and mute’ in the celebration seem worse than the demons of the Krampus parade as ‘paragons of a type of female modesty, piety and self-sacrifice that comes with a lot of associations, more troubling than any goat-monster could conjure.’ Its all a lot of fun and I really enjoyed all the cultural commentary and depictions of pre-christian traditions with how they were morphed across history and molded into christian traditions.

Krampus

I really enjoy this look into an eerier side of the festive season and while it is dark, ‘let me speak on behalf / of  the good dark,’ as poet Maggie Smith writes in How Dark the Beginning. In her short essays in Winter Solstice, author Nina MacLaughlin writes ‘Winter tells the secrets of the longer, longest, endless dark and cold that was, and the longer, longest, endless dark to come.’ It brings contemplation of darkness and death, but also the reminder we are alive and can survive. As Clegg shows, these merry monsters have a similar function by allowing us to face our fears. ‘When fears get faced and named, aren’t they easier to encounter?’ MacLaughlin points out, adding:

‘It’s the formless unfamiliar, the shadow that lives below the shadow, the one we sense but have not named or cannot yet name, there’s where the real terror lives. And so we name our monsters.’

In these monsters we confront death and overcome them and in doing so, will overcome winter. It is likely why these celebrations have lingered even beyond the fun of hanging with the horrific beasts.

Mari Lwyd

A quick read that will add a little bit of the scary to the season, I quite enjoyed The Dead of Winter and found the style and histories to be a thrill ride. Happy holidays, don’t get Krampus’d!

4/5

'We may spend midwinter surrounded by warmth, good food, and companionship, but Christmas coincides with the darkest time of the year, and the legends we have repeated and adapted over the centuries remind us that beyond the glow of firelight, the shadows are waiting.'

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We may spend midwinter surrounded by warmth, good food, and companionship, but Christmas coincides with the darkest time of the year, and the legends we have repeated and adapted over the centuries remind us that beyond the glow of firelight, the shadows are waiting.”

Meticulously researched and informative, The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures by Sarah Clegg is a fascinating read that delves into traditions and folklore that are rooted in the darker history of winter traditions in Europe. Featuring witches, ghouls, monsters, and other “wicked” creatures ( Krampus, Grýla, Mari Lwyd and Père Fouettard among others) the author takes us on a journey through history tracing back to the Ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, to the Kalends of January celebrated through Late Antiquity and how several traditions have evolved.

“For most of the last two thousand years, the days we now call Christmas were a time when you elected false kings, when you turned the world on its head and the previously impermissible was suddenly allowed.”

Interspersed between the explorations into historical and mythical origins of said traditions and present-day customs are the author’s musings and first-hand descriptions of festivities that are held throughout different regions in Europe in the present day spanning from early December to mid-January, including the Venice Carnival, the Salzburg Krampus Run and the Stonehenge Winter Solstice to name a few, traditions such as wassails, guising and much more. The author has also included a few illustrations to accompany the text, though I do wish there were more.

Though I would have enjoyed a more detailed exploration into certain customs (and perhaps some insight into similar traditions from around the world), I found this to be an absorbing read. My favorite segments were “The Lord of Misrule,” “Monstrous Visitors”, “Punishing the Wicked” and “Old Gods.”

For those who enjoy reading books on the origins of holiday traditions and dark folklore rooted in history and myth, you won’t be disappointed!

Finally, the cover art is absolutely stunning!

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures was published in the US on November 12, 2024.

#TheDeadOfWinter
#SarahClegg

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[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dead of Winter was a good, short, read - for in between other Yuletide-themed books. For me, a lot of the information around creepy Christmas folklore wasn’t new, but it was still interesting overall. Sarah Clegg’s writing style is concise and at times humourous, especially in her footnotes.
This is definitely for those of us who enjoy all things horror during the winter season. Traditions and folktales from all around the world are discussed here, from Germany’s fearsome Krampus to the skeletal Mari Llwyd in Wales. No stone is left unturned as the ancient darkness is let in…!

4 Stars ❄️👹💀🖤

[Ga.selle (Semi-hiatus) Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In Salzburg I catch sight of a Krampus at a Christmas market prowling under a glittering tree, and watch as he stalks his prey – a small child trying to persuade his mother to buy him sweets. Perhaps it’s just that I’ve spent too long immersed in the darkness of the season, but to me at least, there’s no contradiction between the glittering fairy lights and the horned, shaggy monster. In a world of snow and Christmas magic, he looks right at home."


Out of all that were mentioned, I find Grýla, Lucy and Krampus stood out the most. Learned a little bit more about Krampus including the other names he goes by: Perchte , Klaubauf, Kramperl, Ganggerl and Toifi. The superficial differences between these monsters yet traditions surrounding them are almost identical, and you’d be hard pressed to tell them apart on a dark night. How dangerous, violent and terrifying the Krampus run/parade can get that even the regular spectators aren’t entirely safe.
Fascinating..menacing..lovely bedtime read
If you tend to like the darker side or aspects of folk lore and other winter tales. The narration is good and read it with a digital copy as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio 🖤


3.45✨

[Pinar · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s some good information in the book but the author comes off as smug and snarky in almost all her analyses and especially the footnotes. She loves being the great debunker but she is not graceful as, say, Hutton, whilst doing it. And her -somewhat irrelevant- virtue signals dropped here and there, are, well, irrelevant.

[Alanna-Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 soggy stars.

When I read the description of this new compilation, I was deeply intrigued and very excited to read it. Sadly, it was a huge disappointment.

Had this account been written by an actual Witch or practicing Pagan (who understands the energies and traditions involved), this could have been incredibly valuable and inspiring. Unfortunately, it was written by a university researcher who views everything through a deeply Christian lens, and travels around to different ritual celebrations as a complete tourist (and writes her experiences down as if she were a traveller of old who has been invited to partake in the most non-Christian, uncivilized rituals for no other reason than to tell her civilized friends about it upon her return).

I am giving 1.5 stars for the great research. I so rarely actually rate books this low (1-2 stars), but while this writing may have been solid enough to be a research paper, people absolutely need to STOP co-opting the belief systems of others for profit.

Further, this could have been an even better book with the inclusion of similar and differing rituals from across both Eastern snd Western Europe, rather than a handful of cherry-picked locales.

Much gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher Hachette Audio, for an Audio-ARC of this book, in exchange for my (probably much TOO honest) review.

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially what it says in the blurb.  Clegg examines the (usually dark) folklore that influenced, and still influences, Christmas traditions throughout (mostly) Northern and Central Europe. I found the contents of the book fascinating. Clegg has a conversable and congenial writing style, giving the impression of sitting across the couch from the author, having a quiet chat about the topic. This is particularly conspicuous in the audiobook.

Starting with Årsgång (a form of Swedish divination practiced at Christmas or New Year), Clegg then proceeds with the the unruly mayhem of the Venetian Carnival; the ancient Roman's Saturnalia, festival of Kalends, and the Lords of Misrule; various monsters (e.g. Iceland's Grýla, Jólakötturinn the Yule Cat who will eat anyone that doesn’t have new clothes for Christmas (🤷🏻‍♂️presumabley people taste better without clothes?😉), Perchta, Habergeiss); subverted religious feasts (e.g. the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the Feast of Fools), and local traditions (e.g. mummers' plays, guisers, wassailing, Mari Lwyds, Krampus runs, St Lucy's Day, St Nickolas & Kneckt Ruprect, various "Christmas witches" and Stonehenge Winter Solstice etc). One "amusing" aspect of the book are the stuffy churchmen writing about their disapproval of the local Winter festivals and customs, and thereby helpfully preserving records of them - sometimes inaccurately, and not detailed enough for the author.

While not an exhaustive treatment of the subject,* this breezy little book is interesting, informative without being dry, and the prose is a joy to read.

**Clegg doesn't include, among other things, the Swedish Tomte, nor does she include the majority of Europe, like Spain or any country east of Austria and Germany, or the rest of the world. And this is most certainly not an indepth treatment of the subject, which could probably cover several books.

[TheHomesteadReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok compilation.
This came across as the upper class slumming with the poor to tell their uppity friends about it later Only here we're using the lore of several cherry picked topics as the subject matter. Some interesting aspects but it came across rather condescending to me.

[Mamtha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usually I can sit through books, but this just didn’t cut it. It felt like a dissertation or research paper rather than an exciting read. I couldn’t even finish it past 100 pages.

Too repetitive and exhaustingly excessive.

Just nope.

[Andreea Ioana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased this book to learn more about folklore, mythology, and history. I was very disappointed to notice a recurring theme of lecturing readers about social justice issues like racism, misogyny and transphobia. This book was not the place to tackle these issues.
I also didn’t particularly like the narrative style and I don’t feel like I learned much at all.
TLDR: too many tangents, not enough monsters.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had some interesting points, but was a bit repetitive and then preachy about social classes determining with folk tales survive toward the end. Guess I expected stories, not opinions.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Festive Chill in the Air

As the nights grow longer and frost creeps across windowpanes, many of us turn our thoughts to twinkling lights, warm hearths, and the cozy comforts of the holiday season. But lurking in the shadows of our Christmas cheer are darker, older traditions - remnants of a time when midwinter was as much about survival as celebration. In her captivating new book "The Dead of Winter," historian Sarah Clegg peels back the cheerful wrapping paper of modern Christmas to reveal the delightfully creepy creatures and customs hiding underneath.

Resurrecting Forgotten Festivities
From Krampus to Mari Lwyd: A Monstrous Menagerie

Clegg takes readers on a whirlwind tour of Europe's weirdest winter traditions, introducing us to a cast of characters that would make Tim Burton proud. We meet Krampus, the horned devil who punishes naughty children in Austria; the Mari Lwyd, a ghostly horse skull that goes door-to-door in Wales; and Perchta, a witch who disembowels the lazy and stuffs them with straw. It's like a twisted advent calendar, with each chapter revealing a new horrifying delight.

A Scholar's Eye for the Macabre

What sets "The Dead of Winter" apart from your average collection of spooky stories is Clegg's academic rigor. She's not content to simply recount these tales; she digs deep into their origins, tracing their evolution through centuries of cultural shifts and religious changes. Her background as an Oxford-trained historian shines through in her meticulous research and thoughtful analysis.

The Rhythm of Ritual

One of the book's strengths is how Clegg structures her exploration around the calendar of winter celebrations. We follow the thread of these dark traditions from early December through to Epiphany, seeing how they intertwine with and sometimes clash against more familiar Christmas customs. This approach gives the book a natural momentum, pulling the reader along like a sled through the snow.

Unraveling the Tinsel: Themes and Insights
The Persistence of the Pagan

A recurring theme in "The Dead of Winter" is the way pre-Christian beliefs and practices survived, often by disguising themselves in the trappings of newer religions. Clegg expertly unpacks how ancient midwinter festivals morphed into Christmas traditions, and how figures like St. Nicholas acquired some decidedly un-saintly companions.

Darkness and Light

Throughout the book, Clegg explores the tension between darkness and light that lies at the heart of winter celebrations. She argues convincingly that our need for both the comforting glow of the hearth and the thrilling chill of ghost stories stems from this primal duality.

Class and Power Dynamics

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is Clegg's examination of how these traditions often served as a safety valve for societal tensions. The topsy-turvy world of the Lord of Misrule, where servants became masters for a day, allowed for a controlled release of resentments that might otherwise have boiled over.

A Writer's Flair for the Dramatic
Vivid Descriptions That Leap Off the Page

Clegg's prose is a joy to read, striking a perfect balance between academic precision and narrative flair. Her descriptions of Krampus runs and Mari Lwyd processions are so vivid you can almost hear the jangling bells and clattering hooves. Here's a taste of her evocative writing:

"As the first of the monsters reach us, two of them seize a young boy standing across from me. He tries to duck away, laughing, but the Krampuses each grab one of his arms, looming over him. They raise their switches and bring them down on his legs before releasing him, pushing him back into the crowd."

A Touch of Humor in the Darkness

Despite the often grim subject matter, Clegg maintains a light touch throughout, peppering her text with wry observations and the occasional joke. This humor helps keep the book from becoming too heavy, reminding us that many of these traditions were as much about fun as they were about fear.

Bringing the Past to Life: Personal Experiences
A Historian's Adventure

What truly sets "The Dead of Winter" apart is Clegg's decision to experience many of these traditions firsthand. She attends Krampus runs in Austria, joins wassailing celebrations in Wales, and even attempts a Year Walk in Sweden. These personal anecdotes bring an immediacy to the historical material, helping readers connect with customs that might otherwise feel distant or abstract.

The Power of Participation

Through her experiences, Clegg demonstrates how these traditions continue to hold power even in our modern, skeptical age. Her descriptions of the genuine fear and exhilaration she felt during these events are some of the book's most compelling passages.

A Critical Eye: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:

Impeccable research and historical context
Engaging, accessible writing style
Personal experiences that bring traditions to life
Thoughtful analysis of cultural significance

Room for Improvement:

Some readers might wish for more in-depth exploration of certain traditions
The focus on European customs leaves out interesting winter traditions from other parts of the world
Occasional academic jargon might be challenging for casual readers

The Verdict: A Must-Read for Holiday Horror Fans

"The Dead of Winter" is a triumph of popular history writing. Clegg has crafted a book that is simultaneously informative, entertaining, and surprisingly moving. By exploring the darker side of our winter celebrations, she paradoxically reveals the warmth and humanity at their core.

Whether you're a history buff, a folklore enthusiast, or simply someone who likes their eggnog with a dash of the macabre, "The Dead of Winter" deserves a place on your bookshelf. It's the perfect read for those long winter nights when the wind howls outside and the shadows seem to dance in the firelight.

So go ahead, let a little darkness into your holiday season. After all, as Clegg so deftly demonstrates, it's been there all along.

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Shadows

In uncovering these forgotten traditions, Clegg doesn't seek to diminish the joy of modern Christmas. Instead, she invites us to embrace a richer, more complex understanding of the season. By acknowledging the darkness, we can more fully appreciate the light.

As you hang your stockings and trim your tree this year, spare a thought for Krampus, Perchta, and all the other delightfully terrifying creatures that have haunted our winters for centuries. They're a reminder that sometimes, the best way to chase away the darkness is to dance with it.

[Sara]

I don't rate nonfiction.

Interesting snippet into folklore and traditions surrounding the festive season, that sometimes felt like a bit of a travel guide too. Sarah Clegg has an easy tone to her writing, very engaging and accessible but I did find some of the topics a bit dull at times. Favourite chapter was on Krampus.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
This is an interesting little book that is stealthily heavy on information. I have come across most of the traditions, events, ghouls, ghosties and witch stories that the author writes about but her personal experience of the actual event (Krampus run, the Chepstow Wassail, Lucy's Night in Helsinki, the winter solstice at Stonehenge) gives this book an edge rather than being just a dry litany of dates and facts. This is really enjoyable wander through the darker aspects of our midwinter celebrations, and comes with a great bibliography - lots of books to add to your tbr.

[Frank Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marked down due to the insufferable moralising throughout

[Maggic Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tbh, I couldn’t get through more than a chapter or two before putting it down. The pace of the book is kind of agonizing, and as a former Christian-turned pagan who was interested in learning more about the dark side of Yule/Saturnalia/Christmas, I just got tired of the author’s personal feelings seeping into her writing. Lots of low key condescension and colonialist/classist apologetics going on. Like in the first chapter about Carnival, it reads very much like “isn’t it great that people don’t do stuff like this much anymore? Thank GOD the church civilized us and we only do this as a fun but watered down callback to more barbaric times!”

It just keeps slipping in here and there, enough so that it’s really off-putting. I just wanted some creepy holiday fun and also to learn more about interesting stories and creatures from other cultures.

[Nicolette Ferris · Rating 2 out of 5]

1. The footnotes bothered me to no end- a mix of highly academic research (that should have been incorporated into the text) and personal observations was jarring and disrupted the flow.
2. I wish the book had been longer in order to truly go in depth about how these ancient and medieval rituals impact Christmas today (often also reduced to a footnote).
All said, it’s nice to read a Christmas themed book at Christmastime and I enjoyed her writing style (aside from the footnotes). It’s an easy read but I can’t help but feel like I haven’t learned much from it because she didn’t take it that extra step to compare it in a meaningful way to today (which is why I enjoyed the epilogue immensely more than the book itself)

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the warm and fuzzy feeling we get when we think of Christmas and the jolly red cheeked Santa Claus created for us by none other than Coca Cola. But I also really like the darker side of Christmas that Sarah Clegg introduces us to. I love discovering the monsters, the witches and of course, Krampus. Starting with the Venice carnival Clegg takes us through the dead of winter, Christmas Day.

Very well researched and so fun to read, I know so many friends and families who would enjoy this very interesting and insightful read.

I learned a lot!

[Tori · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book and it ended up being such a bummer. The stories just weren’t told well and it made them all very dull.

[Abrielle Tolle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was soo good. It was so fun to read after Christmas and I’m so excited to read this authors other works!

[Olesya Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn about all the Christmas monsters and their origins, history, and the modern-day traditions that feature them, this book is excellent and very festive, I loved it.

[Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the perfect post Christmas vibes for anyone who likes anything a little bit festive , and a little bit spooky.

A fascinating read into folklore from across Europe, both well researched and engagingly written.

My only issue? I want more !

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dead Of Winter by Sarah Cleg, if you think you know all the folklore in monsters of Christmas like I thought I did read this book and you’ll learn you probably know next to nothing. She writes about monsters from all over the globe and even tries her own mystical spell to see a parade of dead people. I really enjoyed this book and read it almost in one sitting this is great for the holidays especially for those of us who still have children who have a great imagination. #NetGalley, #SarahClegg, #TheDeadOfWinter,

[Natalia Monteiro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Je ne l’ai pas fini et le finirai probablement jamais. Faut être historien pour comprendre cette lecture lourde comme la Bible.

[Ren || Reading What I Want · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrator(s): Hannah Curtis | Sarah Clegg
Length: 4h 34m
Source: ALC - NetGalley, Hachette Audio
Release Date: November 12, 2024
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•
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Such a FANTASTIC dive into the dark and disturbed part of December/Christmas we just don’t really hear about.
Think of the TRUE Grimm’s fairy tales…but centered around a time when everything *should* be bright and merry.
Folklores from around the world shed light on some of the most gruesome and terrifying tales from different cultures.

Krampus.
Witches.
Monsters.
And nightmares linger in the history of many countries and it was so fascinating to listen to these creepy tales.

Hannah Curtis was such a pleasure to listen to.
Her voice was crisp and so pleasant in my earholes.
And Sarah Clegg, who is the author and an Oxford-trained historian, narrated a few parts and her voice was simply mesmerizing.
Her storytelling was addictive and I can’t wait to read more from her!

{I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All reviews are my own.}

[OddPittPatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful way to learn christmas history

This book is packed full of stories of the myths and monsters associated with the holiday period. The way it is written as well works really well as she tells each story of her visiting the celebrations and then deepdives into its origins. Just wonderfully done

[Victoria Sampley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned quite a few new things. It’s interesting to see how many traditions we have today came from darker origins! It’s a quick nonfiction read if you like spooky stuff and Christmas!

[A N N A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little read for this time of year but, as ever, needed more werewolves.

[Hella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Best aardig, al die verschillende Christmas Monsters, maar oh! wat veel overbodige woorden en eindeloze herhalingen. Maar toch nóg een boek uit voor het eind van het jaar!

[Sterre · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

What an amazing read, perfect for this time of year. Also, can I please become friends with the author? I need her in my life to continue telling me all these fascinating stories and historical facts in this perfect way 🫶🏻