A Lycanthropy Reader: Werewolves in Western Culture

by Charlotte F. Otten (editor), Clemence Houseman (contributor), Heinrich Kramer (contributor)

Otten, Charlotte F.

Genres: Werewolves, Nonfiction, History, Mythology, Folklore, Horror, Monsters

351 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1986

Reviews

[R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this book out over and over and over. My mom had a talk with the librarians. I was forbidden to check out the book again until I'd read ten books NOT about werewolves, vampires, etc.

I zipped through the "Frog and Toad" books and a few tasteful selections from the "Amelia Bedelia" series to quicken the deal.

[Mir]

This seems to be the only entry for Henri Boguet, French judge and author of witch-hunting manuals. "If we but look among our own neighbors we shall find them all infested with this miserable and damnable vermin... There are witches by the thousand everywhere, multiplying upon the earth even as worms in a garden."

[Sistermagpie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting collection of historical documents about werewolves. It includes medical cases, trial readings, theological essays and allegorical stories. It's gives a great view into the historical understanding of werewolves. It's a mixture of scientific, theological and fictional work. If you're interested in werewolves I definitely recommend it.

[RedDagger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a few decades old, the utility of this reader is heavily dampened by how freely available everything is on the internet - however, it's still a handy collection of werewolf-related writing, both well known and obscure. We also get short introductions tying together each of the six sections that further reference more werewolf material to read beyond the contents of this book.

Overall, an adequate package, good to read to become familiar with various primary sources that are commonly references in werewolf literature.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This probably is the most comprehensive book on the topic: medical cases, diagnoses, descriptions, trial records, historical accounts, sightings, the metamorphosis of men into beasts, British werewolves, philosophical and theological approaches, The Mallus Maleficarum, the discovery of witchcraft, spirits and devils, critical essays, shape changers, witchcraft in France and Switzerland, porphyria, medical origins of the witch craze, myths and legends, allegory... what a massive tome with many excellent illustrations. If you're into werewolves this is the book to read. Highly recommended!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent multidisciplinary overview of the phenomena of "Werewolves". Where culture, nature, philosophy, religion, the law, gender bias and medicine met. Really interesting reading how people "worked it all out". Rrrrowww!

[Joshua Sloan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I make no statements on the quality of this book, since it was a lot of academic essays and Ye Olde Storeys, but the reading experience itself was not great.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. I think the choices were well chosen, but was expecting more of an analysis or at least intros to each selection,

[Cailyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely whips.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

something is brewing but im not sure what

[Karl Steel · Rating 2 out of 5]

With very little, if any original writing, this anthology reads more like a hardbound coursepack than a study. This may have had some value in 1986, but the same work could be accomplished now with a decent website, which, moreover, could ask advanced students to provide their own translation of the Walter Scott-meets-Malory-meets-Joseph Smith archaized translation of the Latin Arthur and Gorlagon. If ever a translation needed to be updated, this is it.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a nonfiction book, so unless your interested in the subject like I am, don't read it. But for informational value, it's priceless.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

a must if you are reading up on historical werewolf information . only negative is that it focuses on western europe and misses some awesome eastern european lore

[Phil Slattery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent sourcebook for all things related to lycanthropy. An exhilarating read! Definitely for werewolf and horror aficionados, but maybe not for the layman.

[J.D. Waye · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, I'm reading it again. Bought it for research, only to find some great stories and amazing facts behind the superstitions.