Shamans, Housewives, and Other Restless Spirits

By Laurel Kendall,

Book cover of Shamans, Housewives, and Other Restless Spirits: Women in Korean Ritual Life

Book description

This exceptionally well-written book is good reading, not only for specialists but also for beginning students interested in women, Korean culture, and shamanism.

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Why read it?

1 author picked Shamans, Housewives, and Other Restless Spirits as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Because I have a mudang (Korean shaman) in my novel, I wanted to research everything I could about the shamanic tradition. Among the many sources I read, this one stands out as both informative and approachable. Shamanism in Korea is an ancient religious form, yet the custom is still honored in modern Korea, and people consult mudangs for business or personal advice even today. Laurel Kendall, a cultural anthropologist, takes readers on a journey into the lives of these remarkable women as they consult with ghosts, dispatch malign spirits, and offer advice and comfort to families. I am a believer…

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