This is a true horror story. The sleepy town of Salem Village is being overrun with witches. Nah, just a bunch of bratty kids telling lies. The town wThis is a true horror story. The sleepy town of Salem Village is being overrun with witches. Nah, just a bunch of bratty kids telling lies. The town was very religious and did not want to hear about the devil, or witchcraft or any stories like this. But a group of children, enchanted by the maid Tituba from the islands, gather round her and she tells the children (a bunch of girls) stories. The girls love it. But they are quite afraid of what will happen to them if they are found out to be even listening to stories on magic and witchcraft and the occult. So, following their Queen-B, the girls make up a story about witches in the town afflicting pain upon them.
It is quite the spectacle. They name a few townspeople at first who are brought before a 'judge/s'. During the questioning of each of these women, the girls, following their Queen-B, begin thrashing about the floor, screaming in pain. Yelling that a black man stands behind the woman telling her what to do, and telling the woman to bite the girls. Magically, in their rage, the children jump up with bite marks to their arms. If the woman being accused raises her arm, all the girls immediately raise their arms, crying the witch is making them do this. Empowered, the girls begin to name more and more in the town. Then, it turns into a witch-hunt with the town minister encouraging folks to tell on their friends and neighbors. A simple charge of a wife and husband in an argument leads one to the gallows being accused of being a witch. Even a 5 year old child was brandished a witch, because the child's mother was already accused and in prison for witchcraft.
I was utterly shocked that the townsfolk fell for this and sent so many people to jail and eventually their deaths. But Salem Village is not the only place this happened during these early times. There were other places in the world where people were accused of being witches and were hanged. Even today I see bratty children accuse an adult of something (child abuse) and the adult is hauled away, then finding out the child was mad as he/she couldn't watch tv and made up the entire story.
I was shocked to see a non-fiction book by Shirley Jackson. I enjoyed reading this and must say, of her work, this is the scariest one of all. A shocking read and perfect for Halloween....more
What a delightfully, creepy Halloween read. Jack the Ripper, the Elephant Man, the ghosts of 'the Rippers' victims haunting a hospital grRating a 4.5
What a delightfully, creepy Halloween read. Jack the Ripper, the Elephant Man, the ghosts of 'the Rippers' victims haunting a hospital grounds. I loved this book. I saw a blurb on the book and it sounded intriguing so I looked for it at my library. I was shocked they only had the audio version - no print version, it's still on order. Lucky for me, I went with the audio.
Evelyn is a young woman who is horribly disfigured from her work in a match factory. She seeks recluse in a hospital where she wants to be a nurse. But due to her age and her disfigurement, she is instead given a job as maid to Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man. The two become fast friends and are frequently visited by the ghosts of Jack the Rippers aka "Leather Aprons's" victims. Each ghost wants or needs something before they can move on. These ghosts are draining the life from Joseph and Evelyn will do whatever it takes to save him. Even coming face-to-face with Jack the Ripper. So....if you want to find out who the Ripper was, check this one out. :-)
I see many books now that are a spin on a particular time in history. And this book does the same but it is wildly creative. I listened to book via audio and it was great. The narrator added to the overall atmosphere. I loved listening to this one of the terror in London that Jack the Ripper created with all the British accents and slang. I really do think the narration added so much to the overall atmosphere and I'm glad I did not have the print.
There is some gore in the book talking about what happened to the Rippers victims and that the bodies were on display for the general population to view for a mere few pence. There is no romance in this one, just pure macabre. Overall, I think this will end up in the top 5 of my books for the year. Great story, great audio, great Halloween read!
There are sometimes when you read a book, you finish it, close the book, and think to yourself, that was good. Then, you simply and immediately pick uThere are sometimes when you read a book, you finish it, close the book, and think to yourself, that was good. Then, you simply and immediately pick up your next book and dive right in. Not giving that original book another thought. Then, there are those rare occasions where you read a book, finish it, simply close the book, and sit there stunned. You think to yourself, what the heck do I read next, knowing the next book will not compare. Knowing you can't get that original book out of your head and for days after finishing, that is all you think about. This is one of those rare occasions for me.
Homegoing tells the story of two half sisters, Effia and Esi. Born to different villages, who grow up in different circumstances, and have *very* different lives. The book tells the story of many of their descendants covering over 300 years. It goes into great detail of slavery in the 18th century, how slaves were captured, and sold, and brought to America, used in mines, moving from Ghana to the South (Alabama) and to New York. There is so much tragedy on both sides of these families.
Each chapter is a story of one the girls descendants, alternating between Effia and Esi's sides of the family. There are a lot of characters in the book and at times, it can be difficult to keep track of who is who. The book includes a family tree which makes it easier to keep track of them. Not every characters story is cleanly wrapped up and some character you learn more about what happens to them in their children or grandchildren's story. Some, you just don't know. And to me, this all added to the overall story. Perhaps some people might not like that and want each story neatly wrapped up.
Homegoing is not an easy read. Often times, it's brutal in its depictions of what happened to these characters/people. I found myself thinking at times, did that really happen in our history, and it is quite sad to think, yes, it did. I think perhaps I should feed bad that I enjoyed (is that the right word) reading this book when it deals with such horrible atrocities. But I feel that I learned so much about this time in our history, even though this is fiction. It makes me sad to know this did happen. I'm also very shocked that the author is 26 and grew up in Hunstville, Alabama. To write a book so vivid on descriptions of Ghana and slavery and this epic saga over many years......I have no words. Congrats to Yaa Gyasi and I look forward to see what you give us next.
I listened to this book via audio and the narrator was perfect. His voice, tone, and sometimes accent added to the overall experience of the book. I would highly suggest to pick up the audio but also, using the family tree of descendants to keep track of everyone.
This is so far my best of 2016, a favorite, and one I would read again in the future. And I plan to read it next time.
One day the devil came to Breathed, Ohio. Why? Because he was invited. It was in the newspaper. Why else? So begins this haunting story. The story is One day the devil came to Breathed, Ohio. Why? Because he was invited. It was in the newspaper. Why else? So begins this haunting story. The story is about one summer, when a boy who claims to be the devil, Sal, comes to town and sorry, but all hell breaks loose.
The story is about the Bliss family and how Sal comes to town, along with the heat, and how he integrates himself into the family and town. It is told from the now older, Fielding Bliss, who becomes friends with Sal. The story packs a punch to the gut. There is so much in this story - love, hatred, beauty, evil, fear, self-loathing, hysteria, abuse, mob-mentality, and I could go on. It's a very dark book and might not be for everyone.
I slowly savored this one. Reading certain passages or sentences over and over. One that sticks with me, that I kept going back and reading was 'Madness. The compassing violin when in our head, the directionless chaos when out of it. Isn't that was madness is, after all?'
Minor spoilers ahead. I struggled with a rating on this one. Going between 3.5 and 4. I still keep changing my mind (today a four). The book has some wonderful writing, the first book for this author, which is pretty good for a first. A lower rating at times because sheesh, can't one good thing happen. The times spent between Sal and Dresden were beautiful. It was such a lovely moment between them when she needed it most. But no, it was not meant to be.
I'm glad I read this one. It makes you think about how things were different back in 1984, but then again, how some things still remain the same to this day....more
I loved this book. Oh to be in NYC in the 80's during the time when art was hip and powerful. The book tells the story of three souls just trying to mI loved this book. Oh to be in NYC in the 80's during the time when art was hip and powerful. The book tells the story of three souls just trying to make it in New York in the early 80's. The author captures so beautifully the gritty, raw, bohemian lifestyle of this time in history. The story is about three different people - Lucy, James, and Raul - and how their lives converge. The book rotates between these characters during one year of their lives and after tragic circumstances how much their lives change.
Lucy, from a small town in Idaho, coming to New York to find an artist. James, a quirky man with a condition that makes him see colors. You can say he's a bit obsessed with art and works for quite a while as an art critic. Raul, the artist, who is struggling with his past, guilt, and what is to come for him. It's quite sad at times, quite funny, and totally engaging.
I listened to this one via audio. At first, I was not sure about the narrator. But the more that I listened to it, the more I enjoyed the narration. He did a great job with this one.
I look forward to reading this one again in the future. I loved it that much....more
I loved it. What is there to say that hasn't been said already about this book. I went with a 4 1/2 as there were a few things that 4 1/2 for this one
I loved it. What is there to say that hasn't been said already about this book. I went with a 4 1/2 as there were a few things that I did not like, I'll not mention as they could be spoilers. Sometimes I feel guilty that I enjoy a book so much that revolves around such horrible acts that took place in our history. This one was unique. I listened to this one via audio but do plan to revisit this one again in the future, but reading it next time....more
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