A Season of Madness: Fools, Monsters, and Marvels of the Old-World Carnival (2025) by Al Ridenour ⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the host of the Bone and Sickle podcast, this is a fantastic book about the customs of Carnival in many different countries of Europe. It is an in-depth look at the many different facets of the history and current customs of this wild and crazy celebration between Christmas and Lent.
I have to admit that I knew nothing of Carnival before opening the pages of this book. I honestly thought I bought a book about traveling carnivals! Ha! Even though I was extremely wrong, I wasn’t disappointed, and I ended up loving it, learning a new thing in the process.
Between the costumes, rituals, partying and general merrymaking, this winter festival is a wild ride full of folklore and culture that you just don’t get in America.
This book was a fascinating read. The research and (many) pictures included in this volume are well worth the look.
My only critique would be that there are so. many. typos. in the book. A better proofreader would have really been of benefit. But overall, this is a beautiful book.
I have Ridenour’s The Krampus and the Old Dark Christmas, so I’ll be reading that when the season comes!
