TITLE: A Season of Madness
AUTHOR: Al Ridenour
PUBLISHER: Feral House
ISBN: 978-1627311564
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Mark Norman
It's been almost 10 years since Al Ridenour's last book from Feral House, the exquisite "The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas". This is scary thought considering that the title was both reviewed on this website (here) and Al guested on Episode 50 to discuss Perchta folklore - you can listen to that here. Time flies!
A Season of Madness is subtitled 'Fools, Monsters and Marvels of the Old-World Carnival' and it is every bit as beautiful and as well researched as the Krampus title that came before it.
Carnival is a broad subject in terms of folklore, and a much neglected one. Because of this, the very concept is misunderstood by most people who will think of Mardi-Gras, decorated floats or comical costumes on parade. But nothing could be further from the truth. True carnival is rural, it's harsh and it's pretty terrifying in some aspects. This is the Carnival of stereotypical pagan old worlds (although Ridenour takes great pains to point out that the origins are rarely what they first appear to be) - full of straw bears, sheepskin figures in grotesque masks and quite a bit of weaponry!
There are interesting parallels with some British folklore in terms of the straw bear (such as at Whittlesea) and with more general springtime Plough Monday traditions, but that is something of a side-quest in terms of the heart of the folklore in this title. Ridenour explores the many and various links with fasting, with harvest and with ancient house visiting traditions amongst other areas.
Where Al Ridenour's strengths really lie in his work is in the field research. As demonstrated in his previous title, Ridenour has carved out a niche for himself as an expert in European seasonal folk traditions, and he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to explore them. Helped, no doubt, with a fluency in German, it is clear that the author is not just observing these traditions from afar, but has been able to witness many up-close and personal.
As with 'Krampus', A Season of Madness is beautifully presented and beautifully printed. Its 291 pages are stuffed full of colour plates, illustrations and other source material, complementing the humorously written but carefully researched text that the author presents.
At $34.95 cover price, this isn't the cheapest book that you are likely to consider buying, but you will be hard-pressed to find one that gives you much more for your dollar than A Season of Madness. High quality printing, high quality presentation and high quality research. Whilst not necessarily a subject that some will consider as a cover-to-cover read, preferring perhaps a dip-in approach, there is no doubt that there is much to learn and much to enjoy from this title.
AUTHOR: Al Ridenour
PUBLISHER: Feral House
ISBN: 978-1627311564
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Mark Norman
It's been almost 10 years since Al Ridenour's last book from Feral House, the exquisite "The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas". This is scary thought considering that the title was both reviewed on this website (here) and Al guested on Episode 50 to discuss Perchta folklore - you can listen to that here. Time flies!
A Season of Madness is subtitled 'Fools, Monsters and Marvels of the Old-World Carnival' and it is every bit as beautiful and as well researched as the Krampus title that came before it.
Carnival is a broad subject in terms of folklore, and a much neglected one. Because of this, the very concept is misunderstood by most people who will think of Mardi-Gras, decorated floats or comical costumes on parade. But nothing could be further from the truth. True carnival is rural, it's harsh and it's pretty terrifying in some aspects. This is the Carnival of stereotypical pagan old worlds (although Ridenour takes great pains to point out that the origins are rarely what they first appear to be) - full of straw bears, sheepskin figures in grotesque masks and quite a bit of weaponry!
There are interesting parallels with some British folklore in terms of the straw bear (such as at Whittlesea) and with more general springtime Plough Monday traditions, but that is something of a side-quest in terms of the heart of the folklore in this title. Ridenour explores the many and various links with fasting, with harvest and with ancient house visiting traditions amongst other areas.
Where Al Ridenour's strengths really lie in his work is in the field research. As demonstrated in his previous title, Ridenour has carved out a niche for himself as an expert in European seasonal folk traditions, and he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to explore them. Helped, no doubt, with a fluency in German, it is clear that the author is not just observing these traditions from afar, but has been able to witness many up-close and personal.
As with 'Krampus', A Season of Madness is beautifully presented and beautifully printed. Its 291 pages are stuffed full of colour plates, illustrations and other source material, complementing the humorously written but carefully researched text that the author presents.
At $34.95 cover price, this isn't the cheapest book that you are likely to consider buying, but you will be hard-pressed to find one that gives you much more for your dollar than A Season of Madness. High quality printing, high quality presentation and high quality research. Whilst not necessarily a subject that some will consider as a cover-to-cover read, preferring perhaps a dip-in approach, there is no doubt that there is much to learn and much to enjoy from this title.