Rachel Pollack

Rachel Pollack (1945-2023) was an American writer who worked across multiple genres including science fiction, comics, and tarot studies. Her work in tarot interpretation, particularly "78 Degrees of Wisdom," became a foundational text in the field, while her fiction writing earned her the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the World Fantasy Award. As a comic book writer, Pollack is remembered for her notable run on DC Comics' "Doom Patrol" (issues 64-87), where she continued and expanded upon Grant Morrison's surreal take on the series. Her work on the title explored themes of identity, transformation, and mysticism. In the realm of tarot studies, Pollack produced several influential works including "Salvador Dali's Tarot" and created her own deck, the Shining Tribe Tarot. She collaborated with Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean on the Vertigo Tarot Deck, contributing to both its creation and accompanying text. Her science fiction novel "Unquenchable Fire" garnered significant critical acclaim, establishing her as a distinctive voice in speculative fiction. Pollack's writing often incorporated elements of magical realism and explored themes of gender, spirituality, and human transformation.

Readers consistently highlight Pollack's depth of knowledge in tarot interpretation and her ability to connect mystical concepts with practical understanding. Her "78 Degrees of Wisdom" receives frequent mentions for its clear explanations and detailed card interpretations. What readers liked: - Clear, accessible writing style in tarot books - Complex character development in fiction works - Integration of LGBTQ+ themes before they were common - Deep mythological and symbolic analysis What readers disliked: - Dense, sometimes challenging prose in fiction - Abstract storytelling that some found hard to follow - Later Doom Patrol issues seen as less focused than earlier ones - Some found tarot interpretations too academic Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - 78 Degrees of Wisdom: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) - Unquenchable Fire: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) - Doom Patrol run: 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: - 78 Degrees of Wisdom: 4.7/5 (1,900+ reviews) - Tarot books average 4.5/5 - Fiction works average 3.9/5

Unquenchable Fire (1988) Set in a future America ruled by shamanic magic, this novel follows a woman who becomes pregnant through an immaculate conception and must navigate a society where the supernatural is commonplace.

Temporary Agency (1994) A dark fantasy novel about a young woman who takes a job at an employment agency that places workers in mystical and dangerous positions.

78 Degrees of Wisdom (1980) A comprehensive guide to reading and understanding the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, examining both the Major and Minor Arcana.

The Body of the Goddess (1997) An exploration of sacred female imagery in ancient cultures and modern spiritual practices.

Godmother Night (1996) A contemporary fantasy novel about Death as a lesbian grandmother figure who takes care of lost souls in New York City.

The Child Eater (2014) A dark fantasy that follows two parallel stories across different time periods, connected by a mysterious figure who consumes children's souls for immortality.

The Fissure King (2017) A collection of four novellas exploring themes of magic, identity, and transformation in contemporary settings.

Salvador Dali's Tarot (1985) An analysis and interpretation of Salvador Dali's unique tarot deck designs and symbolism.

Grant Morrison Writes comics exploring surreal metaphysical themes and questioning reality through superhero narratives. Their work on Doom Patrol shares similar experimental storytelling approaches and exploration of identity with Pollack's run.

Alan Moore Creates comics and prose combining occult knowledge with complex narratives about transformation and consciousness. His work integrates mystical elements and esoteric symbolism similar to Pollack's blend of spirituality and fiction.

Ursula K. Le Guin Writes science fiction and fantasy exploring gender, social structures, and human nature through anthropological perspectives. Her work shares Pollack's interest in transformation and identity while incorporating spiritual and philosophical themes.

Samuel R. Delany Produces science fiction that challenges conventional narrative structures and explores identity, sexuality, and societal transformation. His work contains similar elements of magical realism and examination of human consciousness found in Pollack's writing.

Neil Gaiman Creates stories mixing mythology, folklore, and contemporary settings while exploring identity and transformation. His work in comics and prose demonstrates similar interests in tarot symbolism and mystical themes that appear throughout Pollack's writing.