A Field Guide to Otherkin [Paperback]

Lupa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2007 | ISBN-10: 190571307X | ISBN-13: 978-1905713073 | Edition: 1st

The Otherkin community is a small but growing subculture of people who identify in some way - spiritually, metaphorically - as something Other than human. Some resonate with dragons while others believe they were elves in another life and still others resonate with wolves, great cats and other earthly animals. Whether Otherkin yourself, or simply curious, this book is the first to offer you an in depth look into this unique community.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Megalithica Books; 1st edition (April 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190571307X
• ISBN-13: 978-1905713073
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thorough Exploration of Otherkin, December 20, 2007

By 

Teresa Huddleston-garcia "Lady Rain StarDrago... (Weed, ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: A Field Guide to Otherkin (Paperback)

Well, I've finally finished Lupa's "A Field Guide to Otherkin," and I must say that I am quite impressed. It is written from the perspective of an otherkin, but she has taken great pains to treat the subject impartially. There is a meaty Bibliography that those who wish further reading will find very useful.

Topics covered in the book include such things as theories of being 'Kin, including personal psychology, metaphysics, personal mythology, energetic resonance, and the genetic thoughts. Therianthropy, Vampirism, and several other types of 'Kin are mentioned in the book, and some types of 'Kin have whole sections devoted to them, with information drawn from collected surveys.

As to the surveys, having tried to gather research on a different topic before with this method for college, I can understand how hard it is to get a good sampling of any community. One hundred thirty one, including her own response, is far more than I ever got for my alienation report. I was very surprised by the breakdown of the 'Kin types that responded, for example I thought that there would have been far more kitsune than the single response from that type received, although the greater number of wolves I did expect. Perhaps some day she will have enough information and additional responses to put out a second edition.

Magic and Spirituality is also touched on this this book, and in quite a responsible and adult manner to my finding. Thoughts on how to become 'Kin to the Other as well as the possibility on how to stop being 'Kin are presented, and the same goes the the opinion of one unbiased psychologist.

One of the things that I liked best about this book is that the author highly stressed self-exploration, common sense, and a large dose of salt.

Whether one is 'Kin themselves, suspects that they may be, knows someone that is 'Kin, or just interested in the phenomenon and/or experience of being 'Kin, this book I would consider a must read.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and informative., May 6, 2007

By 

Fox (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Field Guide to Otherkin (Paperback)

Truthfully, I wasn't really expecting to get much out of this one as opposed to her "Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone." Well, I was wrong. I have spent some time haunting the edges of the Otherkin community, and I was one of the 130 survey respondents, so the basic information wasn't new. That being said, I still learned a /great/ deal from the book. More importantly, (in my humble opinion, anyway), it inspired some more self reflection and musings that will be chewed on for a while.

Lupa's writing style, as I've come to expect, is fluid and conversational, making the book very pleasurable to read. The entire text is peppered with anecdotes from Lupa and the survey respondents, as well as plenty of outside sources. Everything was covered very nicely, with plenty of different views given. Each of the Otherkin "types" is given a chapter, and while the mythology/lore opening sections occasionally went into a bit too much detail, they were overall an excellent part of the text I wasn't expecting.

I highly recommend it for both Otherkin and curious non-kin. The origin theories chapter is definitely a must-read for anyone wanting to discuss Otherkin seriously.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informational and Fun at the Same Time, June 20, 2007

By 

Garnet (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Field Guide to Otherkin (Paperback)

I am in love with this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book about the Otherkin, but this exceeded all my expectations. It is concise, yet flowing and fun to read. It presents the material quite clearly, which is saying something when you consider how differently the opinions and theories and experiences can be in the vast and sometimes odd world of the Otherkin, Otakin, Mediakin/Soulbonders, and so on, just to name a few. It certainly helps clarify what forms the experience takes, even though the author is careful to say that she can't cover everything and that no one belief or opinion or theory about it is the Right One.

I hope, as the author also expresses the hope, that this bodes well for future books about Otherkin and what it means in our lives and society and spirituality. Greater acceptance, at the very least.

Highly recommended to those who already consider themselves Otherkin, Otakin, Otakukin, or Mediakin/Bonders, and to those who suspect that maybe this is what is happening to them. There are references to websites included, as well as info on conventions for Otherkin, and its a good place to start looking for others to get together with and to share experiences with.