Genre: Poetry, Paranormal
Reviewer: Jay
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About The Book
E.F. Schraeder’s sophomore collection, The Case for Cryptids, brings a humorous tone to the life and politics of the [possibly] mythological. From dogma to dismay, Schraeder brings unknown creatures into conversation with contemporary conflicts of opinion, urging readers to legalize Frogman or reconsider the harmful effects of deforestation on Bigfoot and his family.
Half guidebook, half protest sign, these poems question assumptions and test the limits of belief, inviting readers into a liminal space of wonder and doubt.
And sure, okay…on the odd page, the Mothman just might try to seduce you. But don’t worry. Local authorities have already been contacted.
The Review
For believers and non-believers alike (I’m a non-believer) this collection of poems both about and ‘by’ cryptids offers much food for thought as well as pleasure. Any poetry lover will enjoy the works for their own sake, and the hints of the paranormal are intriguing, sometimes amusing but at other times chilling.
The poems deal subtly with issues such as the way we treat beliefs, wild places, and anyone who is ‘other’. Since all the poems address the same basic theme it is probably best treated as a book to dip into rather than to be read at one sitting, even though it is quite short. Some of the poems will bear revisiting, and I would recommend the collection to anyone interested in modern poetry, beliefs, and creatures that are possibly figments of the imagination.
I understand from the author’s notes that the poet believes. They have given us a case for consideration rather than any factual evidence, and are to be commended for that as well as their writing skills.
The Reviewer
I’ve been doing book reviews on my website, crossposted or linked to various social media, for a few years. I read a number of genres but I really enjoy all kinds of speculative fiction so thought I’d like to share my views with you. I love sci fi and other speculative fiction because of the way it can, at its best, make us see ourselves in a new light. Quite apart from the exciting stories, of course! I used to be an English teacher, and I’m a writer (fantasy) so I can be quite critical about style etc. but I hope I can also appreciate properly some books that don’t appeal to me personally but might be simply perfect for others. I have, obviously, read widely, and continue to do so.
