The Fright Before Christmas

By: Jeff Belanger

Narrated by: Jeff Belanger

Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Christmas time is truly the darkest and creepiest time of the year filled with devilish creatures lurking in the shadows waiting to get us. Best known is the Krampus, who has been the subject of films and songs. There was a time in the late 1800s when people sent Krampus cards, not holiday greetings. There are other violent and dangerous monsters from all over northern climes who have been hunting naughty children for centuries. From shapeshifters to mountain trolls, to elves, to heavy-handed cohorts of Saint Nicholas, the Christmas holiday has been filled with ghosts and monsters ready to dole out punishment to those who need it.

The Fright Before Christmas delves into the folklore of Krampus and his friends with the elf-like Tomten and the goblinesque Karakoncolas. The Belsnickel is ready to hit us with his switch of sticks, and Gryla may drag you back to her mountain lair. And watch out for the Yule Cat ready to pounce!

The folklore roots of Christmas under its many other guises (Yule, the Winter Solstice, Saturnalia) is examined in a different, darker light. The Winter Solstice is a time to be afraid. It’s the shortest day of the year, the longest night. In some parts of the world, the sun doesn’t rise at all. It’s dark, and we have to wonder if the sun will ever come back at all. Christmas has always been creepy and with The Fright Before Christmas, you'll see that side. This is a book for everyone who loves a little darkness around the holidays.

©2023 Jeff Belanger (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

A must have for any fan of folklore and history.

Jeff Belanger is one heck of a story teller! I listed to this book in one night! I absolutely loved it. I will be buying the hard copy once it is back in stock.

A Great Listen

I am obsessed with learning more of these darker sides of the Holiday season. All the info here makes me want to do more of these traditions.
I happen to be a Krampus actor and one of the Krampus that were at the event the author was at with the Krampus Society of New England. ( I was the short grey/tan with all the bells and naughty list staff)
All these tales spark my passion and feel more right than the current commercialized holiday

Wow!

Jeff is an amazing storyteller, I realized I was smiling though the whole listen even through some gruesome description’s because his voice is so pleasant and descriptive. He’s my new favorite author and narrator. I learned so much and will be gifting this book to my friends this Christmas - wait, Saturnalia - wait, Yule… whatever it is, it’s the best time of the year.

Jeff’s storytelling style

This was well researched. I learned some new information about Santa Claus and how Christmas came to be how we know it today.

Fabulous

A fabulous book for any winter evening, engaging narration, fascinating stories--a keeper, and one we expect to return to every winter. Thanks much!!

Learned so much about the origins of this holiday season!

As told by the author, enjoyable listen and message for us all. I learned so much more than I ever knew about other cultures and traditions this time of year. Well done!

Fun history!

Perfect narration, lots of history. I learned a lot and will be re listening to this one for sure. Hope for more books by this author.

Fascinating

A fresh look at the tales and legends of Christmas. Enjoyed the stories I had never heard before and even the ones I knew!!! Love Jeffs voice. Truly a great read. Anytime.

fantastic folklore

I thought I knew the Christmas traditions, but this well-researched book taught me there is so much more behind the stories. There are reasons we do things that go back centuries. Thanks, Jeff, for all this wonderful information.

A new end of year tradition for me.

I loved this book from beginning to end, and I will be reading/listening to it every December from now on.