I thought this was going to be a lot more Voodoo 101 than it was, so that's on me. The title does what it says--clear and engaging introductions to voodoo and hoodoo figures fill this book, and descriptions of New Orleans throughout the years are sprinkled in. Stores and historical sites are painstakingly discussed, to my delight. The author is open about her connection with it all, and often mentions things that function as real-life examples and transitions between subjects from a writing standpoint. It was well-done. Voodoo and hoodoo -themselves-, in the ways I thought they would be, aren't necessarily discussed here, and the author explains why without alienating readers. She mentions other books she's written sometimes, but it's never to brag. It's a simple, "I wrote a book that explores this more if you're interested."
WARNING: I AM AN OUTSIDER TO THIS CULTURE WHO IS CURIOUS. I DO NOT PRACTICE IT, NOR DO I INTEND TO. IF I SAW IT, I WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND. IF I WERE SOMEHOW INVITED TO SOEMTHING, I WOULD WONDER WHAT I'D SAID TO PRESSURE THE PERSON INTO INVITING ME, AND FEEL BAD. I AM ABOUT TO NOTE THINGS IN AN INSENSITIVE MANNER DUE TO SUCH.

I was shocked to find out about halfway through the book just how deeply entrenched Catholicism is into voodoo. I genuinely and mistakenly thought voodoo could be done without Catholic influences (saints, big candles in glass, praying to Jesus), but they appear inseparable. The phrase "folk Catholicism" is mentioned and I have no clue what that is. I've heard the phrase "trad Cath," but that's in a different context and I don't quite understand that one either. Sometimes people mix up voodoo with witchcraft, and uh, no. Totally different things, especially now that I've read the book. Voodoo, for example, does not appear to use or endorse blood magick. Certain branches of witchcraft are fine with people sticking their fingers or using menstrual blood for some rituals. No one is pressured to do so.

Somehow I thought snakes in relation to voodoo would be more discussed, but this is a book about -figures- of voodoo and hoodoo. I was surprised to read that over the years, different sites that are important to voodoo in New Orleans are often vandalized or partially destroyed, to the point that several sites are now inaccessible without a tour guide. I've wanted to visit New Orleans in the off-season (not Mardi Gras. Maybe Halloween!) for awhile and this gave me a much clearer image of what visiting it might be like. I want to eat everything I can, visit dozens of occult shops, and go on a boat at sunrise. I used to think I'd be an obnoxious tourist, but after reading about sites being vandalized and how tourists can be such assholes, I think I am much more likely to just be an annoying tourist. I'm glad I realized that. This book is quite thorough, and I learned a lot. I'm glad I got to read it! I hope it's widely read and discussed. ( )