Supernatural Enemies

In view of the present fascination with the supernatural and with visitors from outer space, Supernatural Enemies offers a timely, wide-ranging study of supernatural enemies in artistic, literary, and popular traditions. Its coverage ranges from beliefs of the Ancient World and the lore of the Middle Ages in Europe, to modern traditions about killer clowns among Scottish children, sightings of the Black Dog in East Anglia, and beliefs in supernatural abduction. The text contains sections on Gods, Demons and Ogres, Animals and Monsters, Witches and Deceivers, and Pursuers and Abductors.

Davidson and Chaudhri do not seek to provide an exhaustive analysis or history of supernatural enemies in different societies and traditions. Rather, this book presents, for the first time, a variety of approaches to the subject and gives access to some very rare material drawn from ancient iconography and from texts and literature originally written in languages inaccessible to many readers. Archive materials, other records, and contemporary fieldwork are also utilized. From this wealth of sources, the reader obtains vivid portraits of the hostile forces which have so inspired the imagination throughout the ages.