The Bell Witch: An American Haunting

Although the story isn't exactly based on truth (there was never a diary), the content of the story is factually based on what we know of the Bell Witch haunting. The movie, An American Haunting (which I loved for its actors and cinematography) was based on this book also. Keep in mind that this book is another spin on what may have caused the real-life haunting. I have my own theories... There have been many books written about the Bell family haunting, but this book had me hooked from the first page and was hard to put down. It's entertaining and spine-tingling for those who know anything about the original story...I highly recommend it!

It's a small book, so don't purchase if you're looking for a long novel. However, it's very interesting and it's been an enjoyable read.

This book probably intends to confuse you a little- it did me- by purporting to be a newly discovered diary of a known eyewitness to events in the historically-documented "Bell Witch" case. In fact, it's a very good novel. Monahan takes the basic facts (or claims) that we have and fleshes them out artfully, with a narrator, dialogue, and a point of view that work beautifully well. The gripping story takes the horror and suspense genres in a unique direction, and lives up to the incredible source material. A small complaint: he tries to wrap things in a too-neat 1990s package for us at the end- the only false note he strikes here.The book left me very interested in this case, and my interest increased recently when I discovered close family ties to many of the people depicted here, including Elias and Sugg Fort.

This story is dull and slow-moving at times, it is a worthwhile endeavor to muddle through till the end. Written about a "haunting" of the 1800's, this book is written in the literary style of that time. Sometimes, that could prove trying to some readers. This book is worth the extra effort.Betsy is haunted by a ghost. The people of the time, the 1800's, believe it is a result of a curse placed on her when her father had a land dispute with a neighbor woman. Throughout the book we follow all the details of the haunting, as well as the town's reaction to it. It isn't until the very end, that the true reason for the "haunting" is revealed. The ending is a shocker, but satisfying.This narration, written by Betsy's husband to their daughter, reveals the details of her mother's haunting. With the text of this book, Betsy's father also left a statement explaining that the book must be opened and read if her mother began to again show signs of the "haunting". This serves as the prologue of the book.The haunting of Betsy is written vividly, with colorful descriptions and settings. The characters are well-developed, and the reader actually falls in love with Betsy's sweet and devoted husband.

I was not expecting what I found here. in some instances the language was very nineteenth century,in others very modern. I did not expect the depth of psychological perception and sophistication that there was here. it is a very good,first person account with complex characters and great descriptions and observations. it was a great companion to the movie, which I happened to have seen first. it really expanded my understanding of the story. it is a great glimpse of nineteenth century America.

It’s so annoying when authors disguise their novels as true accounts. Don’t waist your time. It’s a really boring read.

Reading about the Bell witch always had me wondering was she real and who was she? I read about the Belll witch in some short stories, especially when she killed John Bell with poison,, but was that true or did somone in his family kill him or did he die of something else,, and does the Bell with still reside in thisi haunted cave, many Ghoust hunters went there felt some presence, but is it the Bell witth? It keeps you wondering, like who is it really? A great book to read and good for the imaginaton.

So this book was awesome. The story was well written. Just wish they had broken it down into chapters or atleast sections.