The new book Peanuts & Astrology is, well, largely what you’d think it is from the title. Author Stefano Rubino has identified one Peanuts character whose attributes matches the supposed attributes for each sign of the zodiac, and  discusses the character in terms of the attributes… or, more accurately, discusses the attributes in terms of that character. So Sally, we learn, is an exemplar of a Libra, whilst Schroeder plays that role for Aquarius. “Aquarians,” we are told, “always try to free themselves from the heavy chains of habit. There are many ways to accomplish this, but the most common (and most effective) is without a doubt…music.” And so on. Each sign gets about 4 pages.

To make his point, Rubino has to stretch things a bit. For example, we know that Peppermint Patty has the “mental strength and intelligence” befitting an Aries because “she uses her time spent at school to catch up on her sleep.” Because nothing says “intelligence” like Peppermint Patty’s school experience?

I will not claim to judge this self-published book on the basis of how well it depicts astrology, as I neither believe in nor have a fascination with astrological analysis. In fact, my disinterest was strong enough that I read only perhaps a quarter of this slim volume. If your interest in astrology is stronger than mine, then perhaps this is a book for you.

If you’re wondering: no, it’s not a licensed Peanuts product, and it contains no images. The book is translated from… actually, I’m not sure (Rubino was born in Italy but lives in Spain), and occasionally shows signs of translation, such as referring to the cat next door (Scorpio) as “Second World War” rather than “World War II”. Released less than a month ago, it is available for immediate shipment from Amazon, priced at a mere $6.99.

–Nat (a Taurus, like Pig-Pen!)

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