I Know What I Saw: Modern-Day Encounters with Monsters of New Urban Legend and Ancient Lore
Linda S. Godfrey. TarcherPerigee, $25 (336p) ISBN 978-0-14-31328
Journalist Godfrey (Monsters Among Us) presents a striking collection  of cryptozoological creatures and fantastical folklore from North America in this enjoyable work. In conversational prose, she discusses classics of the world of legendary animals—werewolves, Bigfoot (the author shares her own Bigfoot encounter story), etc.—but focuses mainly on modern sightings and urban legends that evolve quickly in the internet age. Godfrey examines accounts of monster sightings, which she threads together with strong analysis of how culturally significant symbols often manifest as real life visions or sightings; in particular, she looks in depth at “sightings” of creatures that have emerged from the internet, including stories about Slenderman, Shadow Man and Hat Man, as well as regionally specific monsters, among them the phenomenon of “dog women” such as the Mobile Wolf Woman and the Texas Lobo Girl. Godfrey offers possible alternative explanations of supernatural sightings without debunking any stories and is always respectful to believers. Pondering the historic and psychological connection between man and myth, she suggests that the “urge to chase monsters seems to be in our genes.” A long bibliography and chronological list of reported sightings is also included. This quirky, deeply researched guide will be a great resource for monster hunters. (July) |
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