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The Fright Before Christmas

Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters, Witches, and Ghosts
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Fright Before Christmas delves into the eerie tales and folklore surrounding Christmas, exploring the darker side of the holiday season. Jeff Belanger takes readers on a journey through ghost stories, haunted traditions, and supernatural events tied to Christmas. It's a unique blend of culture and the natural world, uncovering the mystery and wonder that lie beneath the festive cheer.
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Format: Hardback
$4499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This enchanting read fuses holiday cheer with a dash of the supernatural. You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the mysterious blend of folklore, history, and science. Ideal for those who relish in the eerie and unknown while celebrating the festive season.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Step into the dark roots of Christmas past where the Krampus punishes the bad boys and girls.

Christmas time is truly the darkest and creepiest time of the year, filled with devilish creatures lurking in the shadows, waiting to get us. Best known is the Krampus, who has been the subject of films and songs. There was a time in the late 1800s when people sent Krampus cards, not holiday greetings. There are other violent and dangerous monsters from all over northern climes who have been hunting naughty children for centuries. From shapeshifters to mountain trolls, to elves, to heavy-handed cohorts of Saint Nicholas, the Christmas holiday has been filled with ghosts and monsters ready to dole out punishment to those who need it.

The Fright Before Christmas delves into the folklore of Krampus and his friends, with the elf-like Tomten and the goblinesque Karakoncolas. The Belsnickel is ready to hit us with his switch of sticks, and Gryla may drag you back to her mountain lair. Watch out for the Yule Cat, ready to pounce! These are just a few of the yuletide beasties coming for us in The Fright Before Christmas in the hope they can save us from ourselves.

The folklore roots of Christmas, under its many other guises (Yule, the Winter Solstice, Saturnalia), are examined in a different, darker light. The Winter Solstice is a time to be afraid. It's the shortest day of the year. The longest night. In some parts of the world, the sun doesn't rise at all. It's dark, and we have to wonder if the sun will ever come back at all. Christmas has always been creepy, and with The Fright Before Christmas, you'll see the other side. This is a book for everyone who loves a little darkness around the holidays.

Be good or the Krampus will get you!

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Fright Before Christmas by Jeff Belanger is praised for its engaging exploration of holiday traditions and their histories, highlighting both popular and obscure festive lore. Reviews commend the book for its well-researched content and intriguing insights into global holiday customs, offering a perfect balance for those curious about the darker aspects of Christmas legends.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781637480151

Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 26 July 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: New Page Books,US

Illustration: 42 color illustrations throughout

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Terry Reed

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 191.0mm

Weight: 553g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Jeff Belanger is one of the most visible and prolific researchers of legends and lore today. A natural storyteller, he's the award-winning, Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England Legends series on PBS and Amazon Prime, and is the author of over a dozen books (published in six languages). He also hosts the award-winning New England Legends weekly podcast, which has garnered over 4 million downloads since its launch, and ranks in the top 1/2 percent of all podcasts for popularity according to Listen Notes. His books include the best sellers: The World's Most Haunted Places, Weird Massachusetts, Our Haunted Lives, The Call of Kilimanjaro, and Who's Haunting the White House?. He founded Ghostvillage.com in 1999-one of the Web's most popular paranormal destinations-and he's a noted speaker and media personality. He was featured in the 100th episode of Stories from the Stage on PBS, he's given a TEDx talk in New York City, and he spoke at MENSA's national conference. Belanger has written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and USA Today, and has served as the writer and researcher on numerous television series including every single episode of Ghost Adventures (25 seasons and counting), Paranormal Challenge, and Aftershocks on the Travel Channel, and Amish Haunting on Destination America.

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