Becoming Baba Yaga

Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods

Kris Spisak (Kris Spisak), GennaRose Nethercott (GennaRose Nethercott)

$29.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Hampton Roads Publishing Co
01 January 2025

Witchcraft

Explore the folklore of the trickster, villain, and rescuer known as Baba Yaga in a new light.

When darkness, fear, and instability inundate our daily lives, folktale figures like Baba Yaga speak to the dichotomy of our existence-the hope and the horror, the magic and the mundane. At once an old hag and an enchantress, a demon and wish granter, a feminist and nothing more than a fairytale, Baba Yaga is an endlessly complex folktale character.

Becoming Baba Yaga provides an in-depth look at the Baba Yaga mythos and history through Slavic folklore. Filled with historical and cultural context, analyses, and the stories themselves that add depth to the conversation. A comprehensive resource for anyone hoping to learn more about this ambiguous character and how her multifaceted presence still ripples through the present day, Becoming Baba Yaga is as thoughtful as it is illuminating.

Spisak explores Baba Yaga's connection to nature as an Earth goddess and as an herbalist. She also delves into the Shadow Self and Baba Yaga's aspect as a trickster and places her in a modern context as not merely a witch of the woods but also as an archetype and force for finding your own path.

Becoming Baba Yaga shares how she is both a force for good as much as evil and a feminist before her time.

'With Becoming Baba Yaga, Kris Spisak presents a robust work of scholarship. Baba Yaga is a wily shapeshifter, nearly impossible to pin down - but Spisak miraculously transforms alongside her, ever keeping up.'- from the foreword by GennaRose Nethercott, bestselling author of Thistlefoot

By: Kris Spisak (Kris Spisak)
Foreword by: GennaRose Nethercott (GennaRose Nethercott)
Imprint: Hampton Roads Publishing Co
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 203mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781642970517
ISBN 10: 1642970514
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 01 January 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Kris Spisak earned her bachelor's degree in English from the College of William and Mary, her master of liberal arts from the University of Richmond, and did further graduate work in fiction through the University of Iowa. She taught college writing courses at schools including Virginia Commonwealth University before stepping away from the classroom to pursue her own writing work.Kris has been spotlighted inWriter's Digestand HuffPostfor her work as an editor and author dedicated to helping other writers. She is the author ofThe Baba Yaga Mask(a novel) andGet a Grip on YourGrammar.Kris fully believes that well-written words and well-told stories have always changed the world and that they will continue to. She can't wait to tell you her next story.

Reviews for Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods

"""With Becoming Baba Yaga, Kris Spisak presents a robust work of scholarship. Baba Yaga is a wily shapeshifter, nearly impossible to pin down--but Spisak miraculously transforms alongside her, ever keeping up."" --from the foreword by GennaRose Nethercott, bestselling author of Thistlefoot ""Becoming Baba Yaga is the balm for every spiritual seeker and folklore fanatic. For so long, the mysterious woods Witch has been just that . . . such a mystery! Spisak has gifted the world with a beautiful look at a goddess and character with a complicated and textured legacy, bringing both history and story to life with a loving, inviting touch. I will be referring to this book for my own studies as well as suggesting it to anyone interested in Slavic lore or the Baba Yaga."" --Courtney Weber, author of Hekate: Goddess of Witches ""Spisak takes us on a compelling dive into the mysteries of the famous trickster, Baba Yaga, and in doing so, reminds us of our own holy capacity for monstrous, wily joy. Read, contemplate, and revel--because as the great eternal witch reminds us, we are all, right now, as dead, as dancing, and as rotten as we will ever be."" --Carolyn Elliott, PhD, bestselling author of Existential Kink ""Becoming Baba Yaga is a freeing folkloric inquiry that celebrates an archetypal defiant woman."" --Foreword Reviews ""This book is a delicious read."" --Gemma Tarlach, senior editor, Atlas Obscura"