A review by deearr
Krampusnacht: Twelve Nights of Krampus, by Kate Wolford
5.0
Just when you thought getting a piece of coal was the worst that could happen...
I had never heard of Krampus and was intrigued by a being who would have an interest in those children on Santa's "bad" list. For some reason, I thought I was purchasing a book of legends, old stories about a half-forgotten Christmas legend, dusted off and presented just in time for the holidays. What I received was reminiscent of Robert Lynn Asprin's "Thieves World," where authors would share their individual visions of a world and its characters.
This is not a book of Christmas horrors; rather, I found it to be a lighthearted look at a character many of us did not know as children. If I had to rate the scariness, it is on par with Grimm's Fairy Tales. However, this is a book aimed not at children, but at adults who enjoy that feeling of Christmas and want to suspend their level of belief in supernatural characters, if only for a little while.
Kate Wolford has assembled a cast of wonderful writers, and each has provided readers with their view of Krampus. From the rough beast who eats those who fail him to the tavern "bookie" who invites his victims to gamble to the best buddy of good old St. Nick, these separate portrayals are sure to make you smile...and maybe cast a wary eye over your shoulder. Fun read and a definite five stars.
I had never heard of Krampus and was intrigued by a being who would have an interest in those children on Santa's "bad" list. For some reason, I thought I was purchasing a book of legends, old stories about a half-forgotten Christmas legend, dusted off and presented just in time for the holidays. What I received was reminiscent of Robert Lynn Asprin's "Thieves World," where authors would share their individual visions of a world and its characters.
This is not a book of Christmas horrors; rather, I found it to be a lighthearted look at a character many of us did not know as children. If I had to rate the scariness, it is on par with Grimm's Fairy Tales. However, this is a book aimed not at children, but at adults who enjoy that feeling of Christmas and want to suspend their level of belief in supernatural characters, if only for a little while.
Kate Wolford has assembled a cast of wonderful writers, and each has provided readers with their view of Krampus. From the rough beast who eats those who fail him to the tavern "bookie" who invites his victims to gamble to the best buddy of good old St. Nick, these separate portrayals are sure to make you smile...and maybe cast a wary eye over your shoulder. Fun read and a definite five stars.