World Famous Comics: Cursed in New England: Stories of Damned Yankees
Cursed in New England: Stories of Damned Yankees
By: Joseph A. Citro Publisher: Globe Pequot Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Globe Pequot Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 272 Publication Date: September 01, 2004
A collection of riveting stories about preternatural revenge, numerous in Yankee lore, with each New England state providing its favorites. Some are well known, at least regionally. Others are nearly forgotten. All are cursed.
Chilling Mainly the stories concern odd goings-on stemming from curses on some very bad folks. There is one about a man being pressed alive by huge stones during the infamous witch trials in the Salem, MA area and the aftermath that has haunted the town since, several accounts of chilling native american revenge curses and tales of woe upon those who've always done wrong to others. It seems to be a well researched and unbiased account and the fact that author has visited these places and notes his feelings is a huge bonus. He even debunked a few!
Reading this gave me an uneasy feeling about New England. I know we have our haunted spots such as Blood Cemetary and the like but I never realized many of the places so near to me had such horrifying histories. I never knew that North Pepperell, MA use to be a thriving community and has been plagued by a long ago curse. Nor did I know that Dudleytown, CT is one of the most haunted locations on the planet. And the bit about the Kennedy clan was surprising to me as well. I'm ashamed to admit but I've never delved into the Kennedy history and was quite surprised by some of things the author revealed here though I'm sure that to others it is all old news. That Joe Kennedy was one evil fella if everything in this account is true. I got the shivers just reading about him and thinking on all of the tragedy surrounding his clan to this day which may or may not go way back to a curse placed upon the arrogant, thoughtless Joe Kennedy many moons ago. Chilling stuff, to be sure.
I don't know if I'm brave enough to visit some of these places but it sure was fascinating to read about them.
Another gem from Citro With this book, Mr. Citro offers up another example of his fine ability as a raconteur. His in-depth look at another side of New England is fascinating. Whether you believe in curses or not, after reading this book you have to admit, at the very least, that the possibility of their existence cannot be ignored. From the colonial era to the Kennedy dynasty, Mr. Citro leaves no stone unturned while sniffing out trails of misfortune.
This book is entertaining as well as educational. Mr. Citro's well-researched documentation of New England history grounds these stories in fact. Cursed places, people, and things abound. Of course there is a chapter on Giles Corey - how could there not be when writing about New England curses - as well as rare oddities such as the threat of a curse from a tree in Duxbury, Massachusetts. I believe this to be the only glimpse into New England from this view, and few books in the genre are so engagingly written. Mr. Citro's story-telling is second to none.
I thoroughly enjoyed this look at New England. This book is a rare gem that could only have come from Joseph A. Citro. He is a true folklorist who is keeping alive the legends of New England. I would highly recommend this to anyone seeking a different perspective.
Reviewing the Reviewer It is not normally my habit to respond to inappropriate reviews; after all, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. But if a review in inept, spiteful, or needlessly insulting, I occasionally add my two cents worth. As the author of Cursed in New England, I have to reply to the reviewer who cleverly calls him/herself "whateverz "..."(Hell). First, the reviewer says "Attention all ghost hunters!" Why? It is not a book about ghosts or ghost hunters. If s/he had read and understood at least the title, it would be clear it is a book about curses. Then s/he goes on to tell the reader Cursed in New England "is not a book of haunted places." Clearly this reviewer has a firm grasp of the obvious; it was never intended to be about haunted places. And more: s/he says, "it has a weak story also". Well that may be true, but it is collection of dozens of stories about curses. Some may be weaker than others, but one infers that Prof. "whateverz "..."(Hell) believes s/he was reading a single book-length story (and not very well). The reviewer concludes the insightful analysis with, it "isn't really worth reading if you're into horror stories." I repeat myself: It is not a book of horror stories. Rather, it is a study that recounts and discusses a series of New England curses. The writer admits to a short attention span and that, at least, is accurate. He or she couldn't even make it all the way through the title. Seems to me if someone is going to "review" a book, they should learn to read first. But that's just my bias.
Attention all ghost hunters: For those who have short attention spans like I do, this book is not a book of haunted places. Other than that, it has a weak story also, and isn't really worth reading if you're into horror stories.
Citro does it again If you're at all familiar with Mr. Citro, then you already know that he is the authority on New England stories of oddities. His books are well written, his research very thorough, and his subject matter captivating. Here we have a collection of stories involving curses and even if you don't believe in them, the aftermath is very compelling. I really enjoyed the chapter on the Kennedy tragedies, as I had never heard the complete story.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
