Krampus: The Yule Lord
Registered by 
GoryDetails
of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 1/2/2013
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
GoryDetails of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 1/2/2013 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
I got this handsome (and creepy!) hardcover from a friend for Christmas. Looks to be a rather dark view of Yuletide myths...
Later: Turns out that Krampus is a character from Alpine folklore, a very aggressive form of Yuletide spirit who goes a lot farther than leaving lumps of coal if the kids misbehave! [The book also includes elements from many other winter-festival myths, from Santa himself to the Norse gods Loki and Baldur to the dark-skinned helpers from Dutch mythology (described in hilarious fashion by David Sedaris in his story "Six to Eight Black Men", from Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.]
In this story, Krampus has been sealed away by Santa for a very long time now, but some of his helpers are still trying to rescue him. After a scuffle between these dark figures and the guy-in-the-red-suit, a magical sack falls to Earth where it's found by a West Virginia man who's having enough trouble without getting mixed up in a battle between figures from mythology! There are angry drug lords and other local thugs, gradually-revealed backgrounds for the main characters (who are each quite certain that they're the hero and the other guy is a dastardly villain - and they each have a point), and a mix of horror and humor. (The humor comes largely from the reactions to Krampus & co. once they begin doing the holiday rounds; the reactions of modern-day children to these demonic-looking figures who offer gold for good behavior (as evidenced by leaving treats for Krampus) and beatings-or-worse for bad are pretty amusing...)
The book has some full-page illustrations strewn throughout, some in color and some black-and-white, and these definitely enhance the story. While I enjoyed this cultural-mashup, though, I prefer Terry Pratchett's Hogfather; it's more flippant, true, and is more of a parody than an exploration of conflicting or overlapping myths, but it touches on many of the same conflicts.
[There's a TV Tropes page for the "Krampus" myth, with references to its appearance in different media, including this book.]
Later: Turns out that Krampus is a character from Alpine folklore, a very aggressive form of Yuletide spirit who goes a lot farther than leaving lumps of coal if the kids misbehave! [The book also includes elements from many other winter-festival myths, from Santa himself to the Norse gods Loki and Baldur to the dark-skinned helpers from Dutch mythology (described in hilarious fashion by David Sedaris in his story "Six to Eight Black Men", from Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.]
In this story, Krampus has been sealed away by Santa for a very long time now, but some of his helpers are still trying to rescue him. After a scuffle between these dark figures and the guy-in-the-red-suit, a magical sack falls to Earth where it's found by a West Virginia man who's having enough trouble without getting mixed up in a battle between figures from mythology! There are angry drug lords and other local thugs, gradually-revealed backgrounds for the main characters (who are each quite certain that they're the hero and the other guy is a dastardly villain - and they each have a point), and a mix of horror and humor. (The humor comes largely from the reactions to Krampus & co. once they begin doing the holiday rounds; the reactions of modern-day children to these demonic-looking figures who offer gold for good behavior (as evidenced by leaving treats for Krampus) and beatings-or-worse for bad are pretty amusing...)
The book has some full-page illustrations strewn throughout, some in color and some black-and-white, and these definitely enhance the story. While I enjoyed this cultural-mashup, though, I prefer Terry Pratchett's Hogfather; it's more flippant, true, and is more of a parody than an exploration of conflicting or overlapping myths, but it touches on many of the same conflicts.
[There's a TV Tropes page for the "Krampus" myth, with references to its appearance in different media, including this book.]
Journal Entry 2 by GoryDetails at Hannaford Supermarket Charity Sale Bookshelf in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, December 8, 2013
GoryDetails at Hannaford Supermarket Charity Sale Bookshelf in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, December 8, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (12/8/2013 UTC) at Hannaford Supermarket Charity Sale Bookshelf in Nashua, New Hampshire USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I plan to donate this book to the charity-sale shelves in Hannaford's at around 3 or so. [They sell donated books for a dollar or less, with the proceeds going to benefit various local charities.] Hope the buyer enjoys the book!
*** Released as part of the What's in a Name release challenge, for the name "Ram" embedded in the title. ***
*** Released as part of the 2013 December/Christmas release challenge. ***
*** Released as part of the What's in a Name release challenge, for the name "Ram" embedded in the title. ***
*** Released as part of the 2013 December/Christmas release challenge. ***
