Customer Reviews

Custom and Myth

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Andrew Lang was a brilliant polymath who is best known for his work in folklore and anthropology. His collections of fairy tales remain staples of children's literature, although his theoretical works (including this one) are no longer widely read. He followed the then-current theory of cultural evolution, which assumed that it was possible to understand the irrational elements of folklore by finding similar examples in the cultures of modern "primitive" (i.e., not-19th century Victorian) societies. This theory has long been discredited, and therefore the value of the book is limited for modern readers--thus the 1 star rating. The book is worth reading, however, if you're interested in 19th century theories about folklore and cultural evolution, Although I've given it a 1 star rating, it would earn 5 stars if looked at in relation to the intellectual currents of its time.

A couple of good ideas--groundbreaking for their time--afloat in a sea of cultural, racial, ethnic and temporal (?) prejudice. Not a reliable reference for anything but Lang's thoughts, which may be of interest if you are intrigued by the history of the study of human cultures and how arrogant preconceptions interfered with the most basic observations in the field.