Summary: We
all know “there’s no such thing as monsters,” but our imaginations tell us
otherwise. From the mythical beasts of ancient Greece to the hormonal vampires
of the Twilight saga, monsters have captivated us for millennia. Matt Kaplan, a
noted science journalist and monster-myth enthusiast, employs an entertaining
mix of cutting-edge research and a love of lore to explore the history behind
these fantastical fictions and our hardwired obsession with things that go bump
in the night.
Ranging across history, Medusa’s Gaze and Vampire’s Bite tackles
the enduring questions that arise on the frontier between fantasy and reality.
What caused ancient Minoans to create the tale of the Minotaur and its
subterranean maze? Did dragons really exist? What inspired the creation of
vampires and werewolves, and why are we so drawn to them?
With the eye of a journalist and the voice of a storyteller, Kaplan takes
readers to the forefront of science, where our favorite figures of horror may
find real-life validation. Does the legendary Kraken, a squid of epic
proportions, really roam the deep? Are we close to making Jurassic Park a
reality by replicating a dinosaur from fossilized DNA? As our fears evolve, so
do our monsters, and Medusa’s Gaze and Vampire’s Bite charts
the rise of the ultimate beasts, humans themselves.
Angie's Comments: If
you like monsters, this book is for you! The author explores what might have
inspired monsters such as giant animals, chimeras, Medusa, sea monsters, dragons,
ghosts, and vampires. The writing is more pop than scholarly, and it works well
for teenagers and adults. In some cases, Kaplan considers explanations that I
think are too unrealistic, but the ideas are intriguing. This book makes you
consider the reason and inspirations for monsters as portrayed in myths,
movies, and books.
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