Fantastic Creatures in Mythology and Folklore: From Medieval Times to the Present Day

Fantastic Creatures in Mythology and Folklore: From Medieval Times to the Present Day

by JulietteWood (Author), Juliette Wood (Author)

Synopsis

Drawing on historical sources, myth and folklore, Fantastic Creatures in Mythology and Folklore explores the roles of fantastical beasts - particularly the unicorn, the mermaid, and the dragon - in a series of thematic chapters organised according to their legendary dwelling place, be this land, sea, or air. Through this original approach, Juliette Wood provides the first study of mythical beasts in history from the medieval period to the present day, providing new insights into the ways these creatures continue to define our constantly changing relationship to both real and imagined worlds. It places particular emphasis on the role of the internet, computer games, and the cyberspace community, and in doing so, demonstrates that the core medieval myth surrounding these creatures remains static within the ever-increasing arena of mass marketing and the internet. This is a vital resource for undergraduates studying fantastic creatures in history, literature and media studies.

$35.95

Quantity

10 in stock

More Information

Format: Illustrated
Pages: 250
Edition: 1
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Published: 23 Aug 2018

ISBN 10: 1350059250
ISBN 13: 9781350059252
Book Overview: Explores mythical beasts in history and how these fantastical creatures are transformed in modern legends and folklore.

Media Reviews
This delightful survey of fantastic creatures and the environments they populate is an excellent resource for students. Well-written and expansive in its coverage, it invites readers to consider the complex relationships between imaginary beasts and the humans that created them. * Sarah Peverley, Professor of English Literature, University of Liverpool, UK *
Juliette Wood offers a vivid, mesmerizing, and highly readable survey of the monsters and magical creatures that have informed cultural imaginaries from ancient civilizations and medieval bestiaries to contemporary computer games and fantasy literature. * Kirsten Mollegaard, Associate Professor of English, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, USA *
Because of its sheer range in space, time and coverage, Fantastic Creatures in Mythology and Folklore will be the definitive work on its subject for the foreseeable future. * Ronald E. Hutton, Professor of History, University of Bristol, UK *
Author Bio
Juliette Wood is Associate Lecturer at Cardiff University, UK. She is the author of numerous books, including Legends of Chivalry: Medieval Myth (2000) and The Eternal Chalice: the Enduring Myth of the Holy Grail (2008).