Grimoires: Books That Should Not Be Opened is an atmospheric, darkly witty exploration of magical books, forbidden manuscripts and occult folklore.
Robin Wickens examines grimoires as cultural mirrors rather than practical spell manuals, covering topics such as village black books, cunning folk, witch bottles, Solomonic magic, demon catalogues, angelic instructions, treasure rites, printed occult pamphlets, and beautiful hoaxes.
These books were feared because people believed they could heal, harm, protect, summon, deceive, reveal treasure, bind love or expose enemies. But their deeper power lies in what they reveal about human longing: the need for control, meaning, protection, justice and hope when ordinary life becomes unbearable.
Perfect for readers of folklore, occult history, gothic non-fiction, strange manuscripts, haunted libraries and witty cultural history.