Written in Wine by Bibliotheca Alexandrina © 2007 Neos Alexandrina
ISBN
978-1434836731 220 pages Paperback $17.99 (U.S.)
This work, a collection of thought by modern wor****ppers of Dionysos,
includes essays, poetry, rituals and fiction as well as personal accounts
of
experiences. There are over 50 contributions by more than 30 writers.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina exists as a non-profit organization dedicated
to
re-establi****ng the wor****p of Hellenistic and Kemetic gods. Every book
purchased, and there will a series of them forthcoming, furthers that
goal.
If you are willing to put your money to a good cause, this is one well
worth
sup****ting. Neos Alexandrian, the publisher, is helping to re-establish
the
Library of Alexandria, one book at a time.
This collection starts off with a short story.a piece of fiction. Or is
it
fiction? Might it have been a privileged channeling of Dionysos' thoughts
following the horrors of Hurricane Katrina's damage to a city where his
revels were a vital part of daily life? It doesn't matter which it is.
It
is an appropriate way to open this book.
The editors made a conscious decision not to impose standardization in
style, spelling, etc., which may send the reader into a moment of
head-scratching when unfamiliar terms are encountered. But Dionysos does
that every day.
The articles, which comprise almost half of the book, range from
light-hearted to scholarly; from intensely personal to detached retelling
of
history. In other words, they reflect the various ways devotees of
Dionysos
experience his presence in their lives.
The poetry consists of translations of the Orphic Hymns on the one hand
all
the way through to modern forms.
If this is a representative sampling of the quality of work which is in
the
offing, all I can say is that I look forward to upcoming volumes. My only
fear is that there won't be enough sup****t generated to continue this
enterprise. Therefore I strongly recommend that you add this book to your
"must buy" list, even if you are not particularly interested in Dionysos.
The only way we can be assured of volumes dedicated to other deities is by
offering our sup****t to this effort.
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