Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Springtime Asks Tag
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Goodreads Reviews: Unicorns: The Myths, Legends & Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Of all the unique creatures that have been written about in myths and legends the unicorn is probably my least favorite. The reason being is because of how the unicorn itself has become so ingrained into popular culture. Whenever you think of a unicorn nowadays, you see a docile, smiling, white horse with a protruding golden horn and has a mane in blue, purple and pink (the official unicorn colors). The unicorn has become a distant cousin to the Care Bears with no meaning to its history; other than the fact it's marketed to be an overrated product and obsession for all ages.
Even when I saw the cover of the book, I was somewhat dismayed at the bright bubble gum pink cover and the obnoxious looking text. However, the Fairies and Mermaids books took me beyond Tinker Bell and Ariel and introduced to a plethora of other variations that I had been completely unaware of.
It seems like Skye Alexander had the same problem when it came to the 'unicorn obsession' and says as much throughout the book. I was pleasantly surprised at the unicorns deep history that goes all the way back to the Bible! Yes! The unicorn is mentioned several times in the Bible of all places. As with fairies and mermaids, the unicorn's identity has grown and developed over the ages through stories and fables, but also through religion and politics. For example, the unicorn is the symbol of Scotland and is featured on one side of England's coat of arms with a lion on the other side. The lion represents England and the unicorn Scotland. The irony is that the lion and the unicorn have always been written to be mortal enemies.
Unlike the other books, Unicorns doesn't really launch into other cultural myths and legends because it is completely ingrained into British history. The unicorn is one of a handful of supernatural creatures that is indigenous to one culture. So instead, the book focuses on the history of the unicorn, its rise and decline over the centuries and the constant battle of science vs magic.
After reading this book, I definitely had such an appreciation for the unicorn myth; while also a despairing mindset at how the unicorn, once a magnificent and powerful creature that inspired awe and mystery, has been reduced to a silly, nonsensical and nauseating pop culture icon. Thankfully this book offers a deeper understanding and context to the important and vital role that the unicorn has played in Western history and civilization.
Of all the unique creatures that have been written about in myths and legends the unicorn is probably my least favorite. The reason being is because of how the unicorn itself has become so ingrained into popular culture. Whenever you think of a unicorn nowadays, you see a docile, smiling, white horse with a protruding golden horn and has a mane in blue, purple and pink (the official unicorn colors). The unicorn has become a distant cousin to the Care Bears with no meaning to its history; other than the fact it's marketed to be an overrated product and obsession for all ages.
Even when I saw the cover of the book, I was somewhat dismayed at the bright bubble gum pink cover and the obnoxious looking text. However, the Fairies and Mermaids books took me beyond Tinker Bell and Ariel and introduced to a plethora of other variations that I had been completely unaware of.
It seems like Skye Alexander had the same problem when it came to the 'unicorn obsession' and says as much throughout the book. I was pleasantly surprised at the unicorns deep history that goes all the way back to the Bible! Yes! The unicorn is mentioned several times in the Bible of all places. As with fairies and mermaids, the unicorn's identity has grown and developed over the ages through stories and fables, but also through religion and politics. For example, the unicorn is the symbol of Scotland and is featured on one side of England's coat of arms with a lion on the other side. The lion represents England and the unicorn Scotland. The irony is that the lion and the unicorn have always been written to be mortal enemies.
Unlike the other books, Unicorns doesn't really launch into other cultural myths and legends because it is completely ingrained into British history. The unicorn is one of a handful of supernatural creatures that is indigenous to one culture. So instead, the book focuses on the history of the unicorn, its rise and decline over the centuries and the constant battle of science vs magic.
After reading this book, I definitely had such an appreciation for the unicorn myth; while also a despairing mindset at how the unicorn, once a magnificent and powerful creature that inspired awe and mystery, has been reduced to a silly, nonsensical and nauseating pop culture icon. Thankfully this book offers a deeper understanding and context to the important and vital role that the unicorn has played in Western history and civilization.
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Daredevil: Season 1
There's Marvel superheroes and then there is Matthew Murdock, a soft spoken, blind lawyer by day and the notorious Daredevil at night; both alter egos fighting the corruption of Hell's Kitchen. All three seasons of Daredevil had been on my Netflix queue for ages and after seeing Matt Murdock's hysterical cameo appearance in Spiderman: No Way Home, it was incentive enough to watch the series. Of all the Marvel films and shows that I've watched nothing could have prepared me for a story about a disabled man whose is a devoted Catholic and understands the true value of all life.
Monday, February 14, 2022
Lovely Blog Party: Would You Rather...
- Ballgown for a formal first date!
Would you rather have to matchmake for someone, or have someone matchmake for you?
- Hmmm...I'm not particularly fond of matchmaking in any sense, but maybe try and matchmake someone.
Would you rather be serenaded or be the one that has to do the serenading?
- Neither! Both are absolute cringe!
Would you rather receive flowers and chocolates or chocolates and a teddy bear as tokens of affection?
- Flowers and chocolates always.
Would you rather wear a veil or a flower crown on your wedding day?
- Flower crown
Would you rather receive a romantic poem or have to write and gift a romantic poem?
- That's about as bad as the serenading (have you picked up that I'm not particularly romantic?!). I guess receive one.
Would you rather cook a meal for your date, or have your date cook for you?
- I can't cook so here's to hoping that my date can at least boil water!
Would you rather watch a chick-flick or an action film as your date-night movie?
- Unless it's Ever After, then action movie all the way.
Would you rather dance in the rain, or stargaze together?
- Dancing in the rain!
Monday, February 7, 2022
The Give Thanks for Books Tag 2021
Olivia and Eva both tagged me for this seasonal tag back in November, but as I was in a rather dark place at the time I never really got around to doing it. Now that I'm in a semi better state of mind, I finally got all of my books in order for the tag!
Sunday, February 6, 2022
The Sunshine Blogger Award
The Maidens of Green Gables tagged me for The Sunshine Blogger Award way back in November!
Thank you Katherine and Grace!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)