Monsters of Our Own Making: The Peculiar Pleasures of Fear

by Marina Warner

Since the beginning of storytelling, monsters of all kinds have inhabited myths, legends, folklore, and oral traditions, and they continue to thrive amidst society's ever-increasing attraction to the thrill of experiencing fear. Today many of us seek out horror movies, read thrillers and Gothic novels, and visit haunted houses, in our endless pursuit of the macabre and exciting. In Monsters of Our Own The Peculiar Pleasures of Fear, Marina Warner explores the world of bogeys from their incarnation as ogres in nursery tales to their current role in the new, twisted reality of contemporary conflicts, where there is no guarantee of a happy ending. Marina Warner digs into the past to uncover the origins of these myths, to examine their history and social function over time. Paying particular attention to the prevalence of male figures of terror, Warner reveals their connections to current ideas about sexuality and power, identity and ethnicity, youth and age.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mythology, Folklore, History

472 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2007

About the author

Marina Sarah Warner is a British novelist, short story writer, historian and mythographer. She is known for her many non-fiction books relating to feminism and myth.

She is a professor in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre at the University of Essex, and gave the Reith Lectures on the BBC in 1994 on the theme of 'Managing Monsters: Six Myths of Our Time.'

Reviews

[Tyler Fruge · Rating 5 out of 5]

MONSTERS OF OUR OWN MAKING is a stimulating and rewarding literary analysis of The Things That Go Bump In The Night. Marina Warner brings together History and Culture pushing her argumentation into The Realm of Psychology inquiring what The Bogeyman reveals about those who fear it, reminding readers of their own humanity and the demons clawing at it.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredible intense stroll through history and all kind of famous illustrations to document monsters mankind invented. From Erlking as bogeyman to anomalous outsiders, child-guzzlers, Saturn devouring his children, Goya, the devil's banquet, Dance of Death the author analyzes many disturbing traditions and photos. Where does this unnatural appetite come from? Gillray's Un petit souper a la Parisienne (1792), Punch & Judy and a very impressive Herod done by Guiseppe Arcimboldo give you proper hints. This is a huge volume with an incredible amount of facts and references. No easy read by any means but very compelling. Really recommended!

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

While very extensively researched and extremely articulate I found this book a tad dry. It was fascinating at times but also difficult to plod along through a sometimes indiscernible path. The pictures, and analysis thereof, provided a much needed reprieve from the intellectual tedium of the book's primary focus. However, I still recommend to anyone wishing to develop a deeper understanding of the role fear has played in our culture and folklore and the importance of it. I would say, and I'm being generous, a 7/10.

[Sade]

I don't quite remember if I finished this TBH. Life got rather hectic in March of last year - I only know I'm definitely not still reading it!

[Jonathan Rosas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really can't believe it has taken me over three years to finish this book. It's not like the book is a boring read. Quite the opposite in fact. For most of the book she talks about fear. The origins of some fears, the histories, the cultures. She also brings art into it. Famous and familiar paintings I know, now have new, truer feelings behind them. A very small portion of the book kind of strays away from the topic in my opinion, but nevertheless the book is an excellent read, and on a personal note I'm very happy to finally shelve it after all these years.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have also read "From the Beast to the Blond" by Ms Warner and in both cases, I have found her feminist anaylis of fairy tales and folklore to be very interesting. She approaches her subject with humor and much knowledge and a plethora of examples. A great read for anyone interested in folklore and mythology and it's relation to the human psyche.