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Book review

Compte rendu de De Martino (2015), Magic: A Theory from the South

A review of De Martino's theorization of magic that frames magic in relation to historical normativity and the epistemic conditions that render it problematic in modernity.

2017 · Anthropologie et Sociétés · Published review essay

  • magic theory
  • ritual
  • historiography
  • southern Italy
  • review

This review takes up De Martino’s theorization of magic through the question of historical norms. Rather than treating magic as a timeless category, it stresses the epistemic and historical conditions that make magic appear problematic in particular modernities.

That emphasis fits tightly with the archive’s larger through-line around legitimacy and norm formation. Even in review form, the piece stays close to the question of how categories become credible, contested, or disqualifying.

The PDF is openly hosted by the journal. The visible snippet used here did not fully extract the affiliation line, so the record keeps the review concise and source-grounded.