An engaging overview that offers a broad perspective and unusually rich and stimulating parallels.
A revealing study of ways in which mythology is still very much with us in today’s books, films, and cultural values.
“These old stories are swirling all around us,” Kaplan writes, “and they won’t stop anytime soon.” To develop his premise, while making good on a promise to look beyond Eurocentric mythologies, he begins with quick recaps of select (non-Biblical) creation myths from Dahomey to Japan. He then goes on to profile prominent deities, heroes, tricksters, villains, and monsters from cultures worldwide. What distinguishes this work are the frequent nods to pop culture and contemporary figures. Kaplan points to Beyoncé’s references to Osun from Yoruba cosmology, the persistence of belief in Sasquatch (whose origins lie among the Sts’ailes people of present-day British Columbia), the ubiquity of certain stock characters (“So. Many. Merlins.”), appearances of Japanese folk hero Kintaro in anime and video games, and films set in the Star Wars, DC, and Marvel Comics universes that draw on mythological influences. He notes how traditional narratives characterizing Loki, Medusa, and “Big Bad” Morgan le Fay as villains have recently been challenged and offers shoutouts to such modern “Mythic Masters” as Neil Gaiman and Zora Neale Hurston. Kaplan delivers this content in a light tone, whether describing how the Romans “rebranded” the Greek gods or suggesting that the Hindu prince Rama is a “surprisingly relatable” hero. Dramatic digital art accentuates the text.
An engaging overview that offers a broad perspective and unusually rich and stimulating parallels. (references, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2024
ISBN: 9781577154518
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Wellfleet/Quarto
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Catnip for scandal junkies, with a bit of historical perspective stirred in.
A gleefully explicit catalogue of the past century’s headline-grabbing bad behavior.
Aimed at readers who don’t need to be told who Brangelina is but may be hazy on “twisted besties” Leopold and Loeb or even Monica Lewinsky, this edutaining survey presents a wide-angle array of murders, sexual follies, controversial trials, race violence, political corruption and general envelope-pushing from the 1906 killing of Stanford White on. Each of the chronologically arranged entries opens with a capsule “Scoop” followed by a slightly fuller account under a “What Went Down” header. Along with a small black-and-white photo and one or two sidebar quotes, the author tacks on subsequent developments, sometimes-perceptive suggestions about “Why We Still Care” and a short roster of similar incidents in recent history. Though she misspells “Symbionese” and repeatedly awards FDR only three Presidential wins, in general Fryd presents reasonably accurate summaries of events and issues while giving all sides of the more muddled conflicts at least a nod. Additional cred is provided by a teen panel of editorial advisors.
Catnip for scandal junkies, with a bit of historical perspective stirred in. (index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9827322-0-5
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Zest/Orange Avenue
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t...
Ali-Karamali offers plenty of anecdotes about growing up Muslim in America in a conversational tone that is undermined by poor organization.
The work explores a range of questions that non-Muslims might have about followers of Islam. Ranging from a discussion of Muslim holidays or the kinds of clothes worn by Muslims to the development of Islam, the author explains these topics in a friendly, engaging manner. She provides several examples of Muslim practices around the world, going beyond her American experiences to reflect Islam’s diversity. Chapters are organized into three fact-filled sections on beliefs and practices, the development of Islam and current Muslim demographics. Unfortunately, beginning with the practical questions about food, fasting and fashion delays important concepts such as how jihad is not equivalent to terrorism and whether Islam mandates women wear face veils (in a word, no). Compounding this basic conceptual flaw, this organizational choice necessitates clunky references to later chapters. Moreover, it is not until Chapter 4 that cited figures or quotes are provided references, an example of sloppy scholarship.
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t hang in until the end. (notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 14, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-385-74095-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: June 19, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
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