Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend

by Mike Dixon-Kennedy

Overview

This volume offers the first comprehensive guide in English to the myth and legend of the Russian Empire and other Slavic countries and peoples.

There are few stories more stirring than those of ancient Russia. Russian and other Slavic beliefs weave a rich tapestry in which real-world elements coexist with those from fantasy, such as dragons, monsters, and shape-changing wolves. Though Russia adopted Christianity as the state religion in A.D. 988, paganism remained popular through the end of the 19th century and survives in isolated pockets even today. In Russian myth and legend, Christian themes are interwoven with pagan ideas: dragons fight priests, saints encounter nymphs, and witches enter the kingdom of heaven.

Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend includes extensive historical, geographical, and biographical background to deepen the reader's understanding of the myth and legend. Numerous illustrations are included in this fascinating volume, which will be of great interest to students, scholars, and everyone who wishes to explore the cultural heritage of ancient Russia.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781576070635
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/08/1998
Pages:	392
Sales rank:	440,986
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Mike Dixon-Kennedy is a professional writer.

Editorial Reviews

This useful and handsome volume deserves a place in any library and will prove of particular value to anyone interested in pre-Christian Slavic culture.” —Choice

From the Publisher

Gr 9 Up-An accessible overview of the people, places, stories, and events featured in this body of literature. The more than 900 alphabetically arranged entries range in length from a paragraph to several pages. Dixon-Kennedy emphasizes legend and myth over folk and fairy tales. As a result, the witch Baba-Yaga has a sizable entry, but a collector of folklore such as Aleksandr Afanasev is not included. The writing is clear and the author's expertise is obvious. A map of Eastern Europe and Asia appears at the beginning of the book and average-quality black-and-white photographs and reproductions are scattered throughout. A useful "Topic Finder" that groups the articles into broad categories and a good index conclude the volume. Libraries that boast strong folklore collections will find this encyclopedia valuable.-Denise Anton Wright, Alliance Library System, Bloomington, IL Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Comprises some 900 entries pertaining to the myths and legends of the peoples who straddle the boundary between Asia and Europe--peoples whose stories intertwine East and West, and pagan beliefs and Christian themes. Entries encompass stories, themes, and characters as well as historical, geographical, and biographical background information. They range from a few lines to several pages and include cross-references and bibliographic citations. Some b&w illustrations break up the text. A topic-finder index supplements the index. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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