Snakes. They just don’t get a break. Adam and Eve. Cleopatra’s asp. Those ones on a plane. Even our very first story ever, Gilgamesh, has a snake screwing things up at the end.
And here we are about to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and of course, one of his biggest claims to fame is how he drove those poor snakes out of Ireland entire.
Well, we’re here to speak for the snakes! (albeit not in parceltongue). Where would myth and fantasy be without them?
So, who are some of your favorite snakes and serpents appearing in fantasy, science fiction, or horror stories and films? Or, if you want to go more classical, myth and legend?
One random commenter will choose a book from our ssssstacksssss.
I like Norse mythology so I’ll go with the Midgard Serpent
Salmissra (Queen of Nyissa) changed into a snake by Polgara in the Belgariad by David Eddings was always a favorite of mine.
I will say Quetzalcoatl since he must have been quite a scary chap, and because Mesoamerican art is so beautiful and unusual!
Yamato no Orochi.
I’m NOT a fan of snakes so their being maligned…not bothered by that at all. That being said, I’ve had some good scares in books and film over the years.
Saw this film at a very young age which could explain a lot…”Sssssss” (1973). Thulsa Doom, the Snake King in “Conan the Barbarian” was pretty impressive for the 80s.
I must mention the “Anaconda” horror movie.
I really enjoyed Vonda McIntyre’s 1973 novelette “Of Mist, and Grass, and Sand,” a Nebula Award winner (and the basis for her later novel Dreamsnake, which I also liked, but not quite as well). Mist, Sand and Grass are the names of the main character’s snakes. The main character was even named Snake. 😁
I loved the novella and the novel.
Who can forget the Rainbow Serpent who shaped the world in Australian Aboriginal mythology, or his/her/their close cousin the Vodou loa Ayida-Weddo, wife of Damballah-Weddo?
I have always felt a great affection for Kaa from Kipling’s Jungle Book.
Becky Ashwell, if you live in the USA, you win a book of your choice from our stacks.
Please contact me (Marion) with your choice and a US address. Happy reading!
Thank you! Will do.