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As the days grow shorter and darkness envelops the world, we instinctively seek comfort in warmth, hearty meals, and companionship. Yet, beneath the merriment and enchanting allure of the holiday season, a more sombre mood persists—one that has manifested itself through the ages in a variety of peculiar and unsettling customs and folklore.
In this book, Sarah Clegg guides us through the depths of midwinter, unveiling lesser-known Yuletide traditions. From the enigmatic English mummers plays to the boisterous Austrian Krampus runs, and from contemporary pagan ceremonies at Stonehenge to the Finnish night when a young maiden is adorned with candles as St Lucy—a Christian martyr who also emerges as a witch leading a procession of the deceased.
As we delve into wassails, hoodenings, and winter gatherings—attended by ghoulish, grinning steeds, snatching fiends, and enigmatic visitors—we uncover the origins of these customs and trace their evolution through time. Ultimately, we are left to ponder: if we cannot entirely banish the darkness, might it not be rather thrilling to welcome a touch of it?
Book ISBN: | 9781803511535 |
Book Author: | Sarah Clegg |
Book Format: | Hardback |
Book Imprint: | Granta Books |
Book Publisher: | Granta Books |
Book Dimensions: | 136 x 208 x 21 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2024-10-10 |
Book Pagination: | 208 pages |
Book Weight: | 272g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’