Since the dawn of humanity monsters have loomed large in our collective imagination. But why do frightening beasts hold such a powerful grip on us — from real-life creatures like the giant squid and T-Rex to fictional monsters like Grendel and Medusa?
Natalie Lawrence has always loved monsters. Her passion that took her all the way to Cambridge, where she completed a phD in the history of early modern monsters that informs her new book, Enchanted Creatures. She joins us on the podcast to delight your adult brain and inner child alike. When does an animal become a monster? Why should anyone still care about monsters in the modern world, when so many of our favourite myths are fully debunked and true enchantment is hard to come by? Are robots and dinosaurs monsters, or something quite different? Discover the answer to all these questions and more in this journey through thousands of years of natural – and unnatural – history…
Image credit: Natalie Lawrence