Magic
Book description
Though his work was little known outside Italian intellectual circles for most of the twentieth century, anthropologist and historian of religions Ernesto de Martino is now recognized as one of the most original thinkers in the field. This book is a testament to de Martino's innovation and engagement with Hegelian…
- Coming soon!
Why read it?
1 author picked Magic as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This anthropological study of Basilicata explained the superstitions that my family carried over with them to New Jersey at the turn of the century. It helped me understand where many of their “backward” ideas came from.
Delving into the folklore, home cures, witchcraft, and rituals of the South, De Martino respects the culture and places it in the context of the harsh, feudal society many of our ancestors escaped. It’s been an academic classic in Italy since the 1950s but was only translated into English for the first time in 2015 by American anthropologist Dorothy Zinn.
From Helene's list on why your family left Southern Italy a century ago.
Want books like Magic?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 95 books like Magic.
Share your top 3 reads of 2024!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,546
readers submitted
so far, will you?
