Despite its pervasive influence on Western culture, esotericism has largely been discounted as the antithesis of both rationality and traditional faith, rather than viewed as a quest throughout
history to unveil the reality behind illusion. In this first book in a new series, Versluis (arts & letters, Michigan State U.) and other academics explore this realm of the imagination in
the visual, literary, and horticultural arts. Critiques of Gnostic films (e.g, The Matrix) and Lucy Summer's Hex and the City (2003) will be of particular interest to students of popular
culture. Images includes medieval art. Annotation 穢2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
