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A review by booktrishandmagic
The Scary Book of Christmas Lore: 50 Terrifying Yuletide Tales from Around the World by Tim Rayborn
3.0
Scary Book of Christmas Lore is a captivating dive into the darker side of holiday traditions from around the world. The book brings together a range of eerie mythological figures associated with Christmas, providing a rich tapestry of folklore. One of the highlights for me was the story of Caga Tia, the pooping log from Catalonia. It’s a quirky and fascinating tradition that adds a unique flavor to the book, and I found it both amusing and strangely endearing. However, the real standout for me was Krampus. I’ve always been intrigued by this sinister counterpart to St. Nicholas, and the book did not disappoint in offering an extensive look at the many variations of Krampus across different cultures. As much as I love Krampus, I did find that the book focused a bit too heavily on this figure. While I appreciate the depth of information provided, I was hoping for a broader range of Christmas lore beyond just Krampus. There were repetitive statements throughout the book that seemed a bit excessive, too. That said, Scary Book of Christmas Lore is still a fascinating read. It offers valuable information and insight into these global traditions, even if it wasn’t as diverse in its stories as I had hoped. For anyone interested in learning about the spooky side of Christmas and the lesser-known customs surrounding the holiday, this book is definitely worth picking up. It’s educational, intriguing, and filled with the kind of darkly festive stories that make Christmas a bit more thrilling!