Review: The Mythology of Supernatural
Like the book cover says, I think it's appropriate to note that this publication is "not authorized or endorsed by anyone associated with the Supernatural TV show."
But just how good is the unauthorized overview of the mythos of SPN? Pretty damn good.
It's worth noting that the show does a lot to create it's own mythology. There are liberal abuses of established religious texts, blatant disregards for some legends and folklore that have pissed off people in the past, and, quite frankly, the writers like to make shit up. So a proper categorization of just what does what in the SPN world in relation to what it's meant to do in our world can be handy to some fic writers-- particularly those rewriting canon events...
It really is just an overview of the basics. But, for anyone not accustomed to researching folklore (oh, how I miss my alma mater's library) and discerning one piece of variant from another, a book like this is a good way to just get a feel for how rich human folklore really is. And since it covers the basics, the ability to skim and pick up what you need for a story is excellent. Hell, it's such a light read that I was able to start working through it while at work.
It's current-- referencing seasons one through six-- for the moment, and well researched itself. It covers exactly what Ruby's knife is (which is very nice to see, since they don't go into it in the show), and what goofer dust and palo santo really is. But, again, it's a skimmer: it touches the surface without getting too deep into the water to overwhelm those who really don't know how to take the first bites. You won't find any real study material in here-- it barely gives an overview of the Lesser Key of Solomon-- but it's a place to start. Much like the "myth and legend" articles in the SPN Titan magazine.
It's easy to read, it's light reading, and it's a good starting point for anyone curious about some terms and meanings without dredging through thousands of pages of cultural anthropology and trying to discern superstition from religion.
I definitely recommend this book. It's not heavy, it's not going to reveal anything particularly ground-breaking or revolutionary regarding the study of symbols and myth, but it makes note of what the showrunners and writers fiddle with to suit their own needs. Basically, Nathan Robert Brown did the hard work, so you don't have to.
Next up: Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting
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The Mythology of Supernatural: the Signs and Symbols Behind the Popular TV Show
Nathan Robert Brown
ISBN:978-0-425-24137-0
But just how good is the unauthorized overview of the mythos of SPN? Pretty damn good.
It's worth noting that the show does a lot to create it's own mythology. There are liberal abuses of established religious texts, blatant disregards for some legends and folklore that have pissed off people in the past, and, quite frankly, the writers like to make shit up. So a proper categorization of just what does what in the SPN world in relation to what it's meant to do in our world can be handy to some fic writers-- particularly those rewriting canon events...
It really is just an overview of the basics. But, for anyone not accustomed to researching folklore (oh, how I miss my alma mater's library) and discerning one piece of variant from another, a book like this is a good way to just get a feel for how rich human folklore really is. And since it covers the basics, the ability to skim and pick up what you need for a story is excellent. Hell, it's such a light read that I was able to start working through it while at work.
It's current-- referencing seasons one through six-- for the moment, and well researched itself. It covers exactly what Ruby's knife is (which is very nice to see, since they don't go into it in the show), and what goofer dust and palo santo really is. But, again, it's a skimmer: it touches the surface without getting too deep into the water to overwhelm those who really don't know how to take the first bites. You won't find any real study material in here-- it barely gives an overview of the Lesser Key of Solomon-- but it's a place to start. Much like the "myth and legend" articles in the SPN Titan magazine.
It's easy to read, it's light reading, and it's a good starting point for anyone curious about some terms and meanings without dredging through thousands of pages of cultural anthropology and trying to discern superstition from religion.
I definitely recommend this book. It's not heavy, it's not going to reveal anything particularly ground-breaking or revolutionary regarding the study of symbols and myth, but it makes note of what the showrunners and writers fiddle with to suit their own needs. Basically, Nathan Robert Brown did the hard work, so you don't have to.
Next up: Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting
--
The Mythology of Supernatural: the Signs and Symbols Behind the Popular TV Show
Nathan Robert Brown
ISBN:978-0-425-24137-0