Baba Yaga (International Folkloristics, V. 3) [Paperback]

Andreas Johns (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0820467693 | ISBN-13: 978-0820467696 | Publication Date: April 27, 2004

Baba Yaga is a well-known witch from the folklore tradition of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. A fascinating and colorful character, she resembles witches of other traditions but is in many ways unique. Living in the forest in a hut that stands and moves on chicken legs, she travels in a mortar with a pestle and sweeps away her tracks with a broom. In some tales she tries to harm the protagonist, while in others she is helpful. This book investigates the image and ambiguity of Baba Yaga in detail and considers the meanings she has for East Slavic culture. Providing a broad survey of folktales and other sources, it is the most thorough study of Baba Yaga yet published and will be of interest to students of anthropology, comparative literature, folklore, and Slavic and East European studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 357 pages
• Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing (April 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0820467693
• ISBN-13: 978-0820467696
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #983,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In All Her Splendor, April 30, 2004

By 

Lisa Huber - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baba Yaga (International Folkloristics, V. 3) (Paperback)

As Andreas Johns concludes in his masterfully researched book, BABA YAGA: THE AMBITIOUS MOTHER AND WITCH OF RUSSIAN FOLKLORE: "Baba Yaga defies any single or simple definition or interpretation, and no final definitive word can ever be said about her." Yet, what Johns manages to accomplish, in this fascinating and highly readable book, is to compile everything ever said or written about this fabulous Slavic folktale character. As one who has adored and feared Baba Yaga since childhood, I have been on a quest throughout my life to know more about her -- well, here is the treasure for which I've been searching! Scholars, as well as lovers, of folklore, oral traditions, and the psychology of ancient story will relish the careful research, the vast exploration, and the deep respect Johns brings to his wonderful study of Baba Yaga.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best English text on this subject, August 25, 2010

By 

J. Miles Grover "one majorly sweet dude" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Baba Yaga (International Folkloristics, V. 3) (Paperback)

Andreas Johns' book on Baba Yaga is thorough and very useful if you're looking for information about the folk-tale figure Baba Yaga. It is not, as the other reviewer says, "highly readable." It's pretty dry and academic. But if you want to know about Baba Yaga, I haven't found anything else with nearly as much depth as this (in English at least -- if you speak Russian, you will likely be able to find other works of similar usefulness). Baba Yaga is a really interesting figure, and this book does a good job laying out all the different ways she appears in different folk tales.