Dark Folklore

How did our ancestors use the concept of demons to explain sleep paralysis? Is that carving in the porch of your local church really what you think it is? And what’s that tapping noise on the roof of your car?

The fields of folklore have never been more popular—a recent resurgence of interest in traditional beliefs and customs, coupled with morbid curiosities in folk horror, historic witchcraft cases and our superstitious past, have led to an intersection of ideas that is driving people to seek out more information. Tracey Norman (author of the acclaimed play WITCH) and Mark Norman (creator of The Folklore Podcast) lead you on an exploration of those more salubrious facets of our past, highlighting those aspects of our cultural beliefs and social history that are less ‘wicker basket’ and more ‘Wicker Man’.

©2021 Mark Norman and Tracey Norman (P)2022 W F Howes

Amazingly Well Researched

I've read a lot of books and podcasts with a focus on folklore but this was definitely the best I've come across. Aside from how much research was obviously undertaken, you can really hear the authors' passion in their voices (the authours are also responsible for the narration.)

5/5

There's a whole history of folklore and urban lege

(As posted in Goodreads)
For the most part, it has good information about different forms and sources of folklore. I like both narrators, but the male one had a tendency to appear to drone on and really get boring, occasionally.
I like the fact that it presented both some (famous) urban myths AND discussed folklore overall and its current and traditional roles and uses in society.