“Creatures in the Mist” – A new look at ancient myths and mythic creatures by Gary R. Varner

Folklorist Gary R. Varner's newest release from Algora Publishing explores the ancient myths of fairies, giants, mermaids, werewolves and other creatures. Are these simply tales with a universal theme or are these tales based on fact?

Creatures in the Mist: Little People, Wild Men and Spirit Beings Around the World by Gary R. Varner is a fascinating account taken from the world’s folklore and mythology – and factual accounts – about fairies, Wild Men, sea monsters, giants, mermaids and other creatures that may still reside in the hidden corners of the world.

Bringing together a medley of stories, myths, and folklore Gary Varner shares a fascination and respect for humankind's early and contemporary cultures and wonders at similarities across the board. Here, he focuses on "Little People" and giants, animals and were-creatures, and the odd, helpful or threatening ways imputed to our earthly companions including dogs and cats, bats and spiders, and the stories people have told each other about them since time immemorial. Gary Varner has performed a valuable service in these books. [Presenting] lore from about the world, a collector's hoard of traditions rich and strange…

Varner has compiled a wealth of information on these mystical beings and how they have played an important part in the development of humankind’s traditions. Do the universal tales of the Wild Man found in such diverse cultures as China, Polynesia, Britain, Eastern Europe and the America’s actually tell us about a separate race of pre-human that may still generate tales of Big Foot and Yeti? Are the stories of giants in Patagonia, observed by 17th century explorers, about the same race of Titans spoken of by Native Americans and of giants relentlessly attacked and slaughtered by the Hebrews in the Bible? Do the tales of fairies around the world actually account for a race of diminutive people such as the “Hobbits” of Flores Island in Indonesia?

Varner who concludes that many of our “myths” may be, in reality, fact, analyzes these and other myths. Anyone interested in mythology, folklore, history and even cryptozoology will enjoy this book. Creatures in the Mist is published by Algora Publishing and will soon be available from all bookshops and online retailers.

Gary R. Varner is a folklorist with numerous books available on folklore and mythology. Algora Publishing has published two of Varner’s most recent books, including Menhirs, Dolmen and Circles of Stone: The Folklore and Magic of Sacred Stones and The Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature. Varner lives in California and is a member of the American Folklore Society and the Foundation for Mythological Studies. He has been included in various editions of Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in America.

ISBN: 0875865453, $21.95 retail
Trade paperback. Biblio., Index, Illus.

Contact: Gary R. Varner
Email: gary_varner@yahoo.com

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