Peanuts and Astrology

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!)

New releases
A different kind of coffee table book

If you have a coffee table, you should have a “coffee table book”, a large, heavily illustrated color volume that your guests can easily and casually flip through, (Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects is a good choice, of course.) But you …

New releases
Review: Snoopy (Classic Cartoon Character Bios)

The Abdo Kids : Classic Cartoon Character Bios books are blatant stuff-to-fill-school-libraries material. Sturdy hardcovers, lots of pictures, 24 pages, little text – about 250 words. The Snoopy volume uses Snoopy images from just about anywhere: strips (appropriately licensed), animation, photos, The Peanuts Movie publicity materials. And the simple facts it …

Classic finds
A needle-ssly fine present

Being a) an adult and b) not a Christmasian, it makes sense that I’m not given much in the way of Christmas presents. This year’s haul was just two items, both given by Dr. Mrs. The AAUGH Blogger: a Terry’s Chocolate Orange (yum!), and this Peanuts embroidery book from Japan. …