The supernatural curse of la llorona is a haunting and deeply rooted legend in Latin American folklore. This ghostly figure, also known as the Weeping Woman, is said to be the spirit of a remorseful mother who drowned her own children in a fit of madness and despair. According to the legend, la llorona roams near bodies of water, weeping and searching for her lost children. The legend of la llorona has been passed down through generations, captivating the imaginations of children and adults alike. The tragic tale serves as a cautionary warning against the perils of parenthood and the consequences of one's actions. Many variations of the story exist, but the basic narrative remains the same.
Even the magician, who is proud of nothing so much as the great magic which he has worked, realizes in the end that there is something far more important than his accomplishment. “The magician stood very still. He stared at the falling snow. And suddenly, he did not care at all that he would have to undo the greatest thing he had ever done. He had been so lonely, so desperately, hopelessly lonely for so long. He might very well spend the rest of his life in prison, alone. And he understood that what he wanted now was something much simpler, much more complicated than the magic he had performed. What he wanted was to turn to somebody and take hold of their hand and look up with them and marvel at the snow falling from the sky. ‘This,’ he wanted to say to someone he loved and who loved him in return. ‘This.’ ”
In a strange turn of events, a magician in that very town conjures the most tremendous spell of his life, and instead of lilies falling down from the ceiling of the auditorium, an elephant comes crashing through instead. The structure of the story is that of disparate threads that gradually converge and then interweave the magician, a beggar, a sculptor, the boy, his sister, a nun, and the woman.
Many variations of the story exist, but the basic narrative remains the same. A woman, usually portrayed as beautiful and enchanting, falls in love with a man and has his children. Overwhelmed by jealousy or driven to madness, she ultimately kills her children, unable to bear the thought of them being raised by another woman.
REVIEW of The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time for me to read some middle grade novels–either out loud to my kids or silently to myself because, you know, an excellent middle grade novel transcends categories and is a delight for any age. Kate DiCamillo is a perennial favorite of mine, and The Magician’s Elephant thrums with all the themes I love so much in her work.
Living in a freezing garret with a disabled soldier who knew his late father, Peter Augustus Duchene spends his young life wondering what happened to the baby sister he remembers being born, the baby sister named Adele. He finds a fortuneteller who claims that his sister is alive. To find her, he must “follow the elephant.” But the city of Baltese has no elephants. Is his quest hopeless?
In a strange turn of events, a magician in that very town conjures the most tremendous spell of his life, and instead of lilies falling down from the ceiling of the auditorium, an elephant comes crashing through instead. The town of Baltese become enamored with the rarity that has appeared, and Countess Quintet makes a display of the elephant in her ballroom. With the help of a kind policeman named Leo Matienne, Peter visits the homesick elephant and finds the answers that he seeks.
This short little pearl of a story touches on the great themes of being loved, being known, and belonging to someone. The elephant herself, trapped in the countess’ ballroom, expresses this well: “She should have been sleeping, but she was awake. The elephant was saying her name to herself. It was not a name that would make sense to humans. It was an elephant name — a name that her brothers and sisters knew her by, a name that they spoke to her in laughter and in play. It was the name that her mother had given to her and that she had spoken to her often and with love. Deep within herself, the elephant said this name, her name, over and over again. She was working to remind herself of who she was. She was working to remember that, somewhere, in another place entirely, she was known and loved.”
Names are important, and it is knowing Adele’s name that brings Peter to his sister at last. As is typical for DiCamillo, the orphans in the story find a family where they least expect it. Like the elephant, Peter and his sister come to the place of being known and loved, the place of belonging.
Even the magician, who is proud of nothing so much as the great magic which he has worked, realizes in the end that there is something far more important than his accomplishment. “The magician stood very still. He stared at the falling snow. And suddenly, he did not care at all that he would have to undo the greatest thing he had ever done. He had been so lonely, so desperately, hopelessly lonely for so long. He might very well spend the rest of his life in prison, alone. And he understood that what he wanted now was something much simpler, much more complicated than the magic he had performed. What he wanted was to turn to somebody and take hold of their hand and look up with them and marvel at the snow falling from the sky. ‘This,’ he wanted to say to someone he loved and who loved him in return. ‘This.’ ”
If you have elementary-aged children at home, I heartily recommend Kate DiCamillo’s fanciful story, The Magician’s Elephant. And if you don’t have elementary-aged children at home, I recommend it just as heartily. Known and loved — that’s what we all want. And being able to share this book with my nine-year-old made it all the more special this summer — to turn to someone, take hold of their hand, and say, “This.”
Consumed by guilt and regret, she takes her own life. However, death does not bring peace to la llorona. Instead, she becomes trapped in purgatory, forever doomed to search for her children. Her guilt-ridden cries and pale figure have become the stuff of nightmares. It is said that if one hears her wailing, it is an omen of impending death or misfortune. According to popular belief, la llorona targets children who disobey their parents or wander too close to bodies of water alone. She is known to snatch them away, mistaking them for her own lost children. Parents in Latin American communities have used the tale of la llorona as a cautionary tale to ensure the safety and obedience of their children. The supernatural curse of la llorona has also made its way into popular culture, inspiring countless books, films, and even a theme park attraction. The tale continues to captivate audiences with its chilling depiction of a tormented mother and the consequences of her actions. In conclusion, the supernatural curse of la llorona is a haunting legend that serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of parenthood and the consequences of one's actions. The weeping woman's sorrowful search for her lost children has captivated generations, instilling fear and fascination in those who hear her mournful cries. Whether viewed as a myth or a ghostly presence, la llorona stands as a reminder of the enduring power of folklore and the lasting impact of our choices..
Reviews for "The Supernatural Horror: La Llorona and her Curse on the Living"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with The Supernatural Curse of La Llorona. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the scares were hardly impressive. The jump scares were cliché and overused, leaving me feeling bored rather than frightened. The characters lacked depth and just felt like caricatures of typical horror movie victims. Overall, I found the film to be lackluster and not worth the time or money.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for The Supernatural Curse of La Llorona, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The plot felt rushed and poorly developed, leaving me confused and disengaged throughout the film. The scare sequences lacked originality and failed to generate any real sense of dread. Additionally, the acting was subpar and unconvincing, making it difficult to connect with the characters. While there were a few mildly thrilling moments, they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the movie.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found The Supernatural Curse of La Llorona to be a complete waste of time. The story was unoriginal and formulaic, following the tried and tired tropes of the horror genre. The jump scares were predictable and failed to elicit any genuine fear. The filmmakers relied too heavily on loud sound effects and cheap tricks, rather than building suspense and creating a truly horrifying atmosphere. Overall, the film felt like a cash grab, lacking any true innovation or creativity. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.