When Does Witchhood Transform into Non-Witchhood?
Fascinated by the stories of the past, novelist Christopher Golden has long been captivated by folklore and mythology. In a recent interview, Golden discussed his latest books and an ongoing fascination with the origins of legendary monsters.
In Golden's first novel, "Of Saints and Shadows," he delved into vampire folklore, creating his own mythology to make sense of the legends. "Ararat," a Bram Stoker Award-winning novel, explored the idea of an incredible flood common to ancient world cultures, suggesting that such an event could have actually occurred.
In "Road of Bones," Golden imagines a world before the world, telling a story of a time when the spirits of nature roamed and human concepts of good and evil did not exist. The novel "Baltimore, or the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire," a collaboration with artist Mike Mignola, explores similar themes, crafting a sprawling pre-history involving ancient monsters.
The latest addition to Golden's body of work is "The Night Birds," which draws heavily on the concept of Ur-Witches, beings that inspire legends around the world. In this novel, the protagonists discover the ancestral roots of witchcraft in prehistoric beings capable of monstrous magic.
While the term "Ur-Witches" is not found in historical accounts, the concept resembles the völva, a powerful seeress in Icelandic folklore. The völva was seen as a mediator between the human and supernatural worlds, and the völva's magic and prophetic abilities were deeply embedded in Norse mythology.
In an interesting twist, Golden has hinted that the concept of Ur-Witches in "The Night Birds" may become part of the existing folklore, if readers continue to believe in the story long after it has been published. "Centuries from now, if some student or historian believes that ancient people worshipped Ur-Witches, nothing would make me happier," Golden said.
Golden continues to explore themes of folklore and imagination in his works, interweaving historical details with captivating stories to create an immersive world for readers. His latest novels offer a fresh take on classic themes, bringing history and fantasy together in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
golden's latest novels, including "The Night Birds," showcase a blend of folklore, history, and imagination, delving into the fashion-and-beauty of ancient mythologies and the lifestyle of those who weaved these timeless stories. In this captivating world, one can find pop-culture references from books like "Of Saints and Shadows," "Ararat," "Road of Bones," and even "Baltimore, or the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire," where folklore intersects with entertainment, offering a unique angle on popular culture.
