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A Season with the Witch: The Magic and Mayhem of Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts by J.W. Ocker
onespaceymother's review
4.0
This is my first nonfiction book (beyond memoirs) since law school. The author relocates his family to Salem for the month of October. His tactic towards experiencing Salem and attitude about the trip reminded me so much of my time in Williamsburg. I lived in a townhouse about two blocks from the Williamsburg colonial village for 6 1/2 weeks while attending classes on the William and Mary campus (which is adjacent-to and pretty much part of the colonial village). Like the author I basically grabbed the summer tourist guide and used it as a checklist. Which is to say I found this book relatable and down right charming. I find the idea of living in a tourist destination fascinating. He explores not only the spooky culture in Witch City but also the economy and politics of a city of 42K. Salem in October is a trip I have always wanted to take, and this book certainly strengthened my resolve to do it someday.
mezzosherri's review
4.0
Journalist Ocker moves his family into Salem, MA to soak in the atmosphere of October and the city's ever-growing "Haunted Happinings." The tone is very informal and chatty, which worked well for me--I think Ocker and I are probably pretty sympatico in our love of all that Salem has to offer, from history, to high art, to kitsch. But if you have a different world view, I can imagine that the chattiness might begin to grate.
situationnormal's review
3.0
Overall, I thought this book was fun, but it wasn't what I wanted it to be. Not the fault of the author or the book, necessarily, just my experience with it. I think I would have enjoyed something that was either the history of Salem and how that ties into the current Halloween traditions of the city OR an overview of some of the draws to Salem in October. The mix of the two plus interviews with locals who are annoyed their city is busy in October is a little boring/frustrating. I live somewhere with an income based on tourism, too, so I get their frustration. But it's not the most interesting reading.
chickadilly's review against another edition
4.0
Salem is one of my favorite places to visit and so this was an interesting read about the history of the tourism!
wildgurl's review
3.0
A Season With The Witch: The Magic and Mayhem of Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts.
by J. W. Ocker
2016
The Countryman Press
3.5 /4
Absolute fun!
We join the Ocker family as they spend a month in Salem, Massachusetts. Touring historical sites, museums and cemeteries and many of the sites associated with the Salem Witch Trials.
The title is misleading, as it is not really about Halloween, but is still an engaging and informative book. There is a chapter about the Maritime museum and Nathaniel Hawthorne's tribute.
by J. W. Ocker
2016
The Countryman Press
3.5 /4
Absolute fun!
We join the Ocker family as they spend a month in Salem, Massachusetts. Touring historical sites, museums and cemeteries and many of the sites associated with the Salem Witch Trials.
The title is misleading, as it is not really about Halloween, but is still an engaging and informative book. There is a chapter about the Maritime museum and Nathaniel Hawthorne's tribute.
laurenechols's review against another edition
3.0
Bestie Book Club #9 - A solid 2.75 stars. Super well researched and I truly felt like I was there. My biggest grievance would be the typos in the book. They seemed to be more present in the first half and in the epilogue. Twice he writes 1962 instead of 1692…big difference lol