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A Dictionary of Superstitions
Opie, Iona; Tatem, Moira
Publisher: Oxford University PressYear Published: 2005 First Published: 1989
Pages: 494pp Price: $17.95 ISBN: 0-19-280664-5
Dewey: 001.9'6'03--dc20
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This paperback reissue of the 1989 original includes divinations, spells, cures, charms, signs and omens, rituals, and taboos. And, of course, it is arranged A - Z by term. Its scope is mainly coverage of those superstitions from Great Britain and Eire which survived into the twentieth century. These everyday domestic beliefs are tagged to some literary reference and some date. And it is cross-referenced for browsing.
Audience or interest level: writers, general public, reference book.
Some interesting facts: I am not quite sure why it is copyrighted 2005 since this is just a reissue of the 1989 original, with no visible signs of updating. It had also been reissued in 1992 and 1996.
What I don't like about this resource (its shortcomings): cheap paper and a modest binding, designed to keep the price down.
What I do like about this resource (its positives): it has an analytical index with no page references - just see and see also references to the dictionary entries.
Quality-to-Price Ratio: 91
[Review by Dean Tudor]
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