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jeriklein's review against another edition
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
4.0
The Authenticated History of the Famous Bell Witch is the supposed true story of poltergeist activity that affected an entire town in Tennessee in the 1800s.
Told primarily via eyewitness accounts, this paranormal tale is a slow but fascinating read that may (or may not) be historical fact.
inky_bat's review against another edition
4.0
Similar to Ed and Lorraine Warren's books, this is a "true" accounting of all the events that happened to the Bell family in regards to the Bell Witch haunting. There are some really creepy stories in here, and they were written in such a way that made them quite freaky!
The style is very much a documented accounting of the time and place, and from each person who has witnessed the bizarre occurrences, published after the death of all family members immediately involved. As this story dates back from 1817, you can imagine the language and accepted racial terms and notions were quite different. If you are bothered by racial slurs, this is not the book for you.
You could sense Ingram's drive to publish each and every minute detail available to him to prove credibility, impartiality, and authenticity. Because of this, at times the book became rather dull, those names no longer carry weight in this day and age.
Do I believe it? I don't think it's that black and white. It definitely got me thinking.
As to what it is, I don't believe it is Kate, a witch, Native American's, or something pre-dating Christ (it quoted the bible), but perhaps just a poltergeist... if anything. If these stories are true, it is like no other paranormal case I have ever heard of since Solomon's Temple with a full-on normal conversation with someone/something beyond the veil. I also found it odd that this was referenced in the book, might it be that this is just spun to suit the 19th-century spiritualism craze?
The style is very much a documented accounting of the time and place, and from each person who has witnessed the bizarre occurrences, published after the death of all family members immediately involved. As this story dates back from 1817, you can imagine the language and accepted racial terms and notions were quite different. If you are bothered by racial slurs, this is not the book for you.
You could sense Ingram's drive to publish each and every minute detail available to him to prove credibility, impartiality, and authenticity. Because of this, at times the book became rather dull, those names no longer carry weight in this day and age.
Do I believe it? I don't think it's that black and white. It definitely got me thinking.
Spoiler
I think it's possible there was a little explainable mixed with the unexplainable. Some of the more explainable things could be mental illness, self-harm, hysteria, allergic reaction, wild animals, home infestation. Kate the neighbor could have just been a mean old busy body. However, the occurrences witnessed by many, I have no explanation for.As to what it is, I don't believe it is Kate, a witch, Native American's, or something pre-dating Christ (it quoted the bible), but perhaps just a poltergeist... if anything. If these stories are true, it is like no other paranormal case I have ever heard of since Solomon's Temple with a full-on normal conversation with someone/something beyond the veil. I also found it odd that this was referenced in the book, might it be that this is just spun to suit the 19th-century spiritualism craze?
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