The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures

I'm not a fan of winter, but I do like spooky stuff and this book delivers. We're getting into the cold weather here and I am now burning to mull some wine and open my doors to mummers with an animal head on a stick! There is so much information here about all the various Christmas traditions and where they might have come from. Lots of angry letters from religious leaders, plus some really nice nature scenes.

“We may spend midwinter surrounded by warmth, good food, and companionship, but Christmas coincides with the darkest time of the year, and the legends we have repeated and adapted over the centuries remind us that beyond the glow of firelight, the shadows are waiting.”

Meticulously researched and informative, The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures by Sarah Clegg is a fascinating read that delves into traditions and folklore that are rooted in the darker history of winter traditions in Europe. Featuring witches, ghouls, monsters, and other “wicked” creatures ( Krampus, Grýla, Mari Lwyd and Père Fouettard among others) the author takes us on a journey through history tracing back to the show more Ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, to the Kalends of January celebrated through Late Antiquity and how several traditions have evolved.

“For most of the last two thousand years, the days we now call Christmas were a time when you elected false kings, when you turned the world on its head and the previously impermissible was suddenly allowed.”

Interspersed between explorations into historical and mythical origins of said traditions and present-day customs are the author’s musings and first-hand descriptions of festivities that are held throughout different regions in Europe in the present day spanning from early December to mid-January, including the Venice Carnival, the Salzburg Krampus Run and the Stonehenge Winter Solstice to name a few, traditions such as wassails, guising and much more. The author has also included a few illustrations to accompany the text, though I do wish there were more.

Though I would have enjoyed a more detailed exploration into certain customs (and perhaps some insight into similar traditions from around the world), I found this to be an absorbing read. My favorite segments were “The Lord of Misrule,” “Monstrous Visitors”, “Punishing the Wicked” and “Old Gods.”

For those who enjoy reading books on the origins of holiday traditions and dark folklore rooted in history and myth, you won’t be disappointed!

Finally, the cover art is absolutely stunning!

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures was published in the US on November 12, 2024.

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I really enjoyed this as a first nonfiction book of the year. It felt like an appropriate time to be reading about Christmas monsters—perhaps I started reading a little after Christmas, but since this book's monsters span from early December through to Carnival in February, I read it at the perfect time.

I had heard about Krampus and the Lords of Misrule before, but never in this much detail. Sadly, though, the detail that we have still isn't as much as I want, since a lot of the records we have from this period are of Christian bishops (etc.) writing tracts condemning the practices, and very little about the rituals and festivities from the people actually participating. Still, Clegg does a good job with what we do know, and ties it show more all together into a sort of Christmas travelogue tracing the paths of the darker midwinter traditions. show less

A brilliant little book, which covers its stated title really well. It looks at not only British traditions, but also those in particular, of Central Europe. It deals with Krampus, the Wild Hunt, saints, the origins of the myth of St Nicholas, and also the general evolution of folklore. A fascinating winter read and recommended for those with an interest in folklore

The writer should be ashamed of herself. Writing a book to vilify Christmas, Christianity, even the purity of the feast of St Lucia is an abominable act. A desperate attempt to promote her atheistic agenda.

A book that could have been an excellent source of information and folklore became a libel towards Christianity. Girl, you will always be a part of the sad minority.

Shame on you.

Interesting Christmas creatures and stories about them