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A review by maxsebastian
A Season with the Witch: The Magic and Mayhem of Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts by J.W. Ocker
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
Curious about life in Witch City? A Season with the Witch by J.W. Ocker is probably the most engaging introduction to the topic out there. From the history of Nathaniel Hawthorne's last name to adventures on all Hallows Eve ("H day" as he calls it), Ocker's book chronicles an October he moved to Salem and the stories he learned in that city. In order, this book is part travelogue, part history, part tour book.
It's worth driving this point home: Ocker loves Halloween enough that him and his family moved to Salem for the busiest month of the year, arriving on October 1st and leaving on November 1st. In that month, Ocker talks about doing everything one could possibly imagine doing in the site of the most famous witch trials. The book is structured in thematic chapters but feels very organic. It's almost like Ocker is telling you a story that begins with "one time I went to Salem for a month and here's what happened." While Halloween is the focus, A Season of the Witch taught me a lot about the less than spooky parts of the city. Salem features one of the most renowned art museums in the world, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), and has an incredible maritime history. In fact, PEM reputedly houses the actual skull of the pirate Blackbeard (now cast in silver) in its archives.
In between adventures, Ocker successfully weaves in interviews and history lessons to make this book feel like an accurate report on the history of Salem. As someone who moved to New England a few years ago, it was fun to hear about my surrounding's past. Surprisingly, this book included several direct references to my home city, Providence! This book was sold to me as more of a travel guide than it actually is, but through trial and error, Ocker seems to have found some of the best spots to visit in the city. When reading, I found myself writing down some of the locations I'd be the most excited to check out. They included: Samuel Paris Archeological Site 1681-1784, The Gallows Hill Museum, The Peabody Essex Museum, The New England Pirate Museum, The Salem Maritime Historic Park , The Salem Maritime Society Headquarters in the top of the Hawthorne Hotel, The Haunted Neighborhood, The Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, Wicked Good Books, and Count Orlock’s Nightmare Gallery.
I read this book in hopes of visiting Salem this October. Although I've come to the realization that I won't get there this Fall, A Season with the Witch was still a worthwhile read. With his friendly writing style, Ocker made me feel like part of his Salem sojourn, bringing Salem to me.
It's worth driving this point home: Ocker loves Halloween enough that him and his family moved to Salem for the busiest month of the year, arriving on October 1st and leaving on November 1st. In that month, Ocker talks about doing everything one could possibly imagine doing in the site of the most famous witch trials. The book is structured in thematic chapters but feels very organic. It's almost like Ocker is telling you a story that begins with "one time I went to Salem for a month and here's what happened." While Halloween is the focus, A Season of the Witch taught me a lot about the less than spooky parts of the city. Salem features one of the most renowned art museums in the world, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), and has an incredible maritime history. In fact, PEM reputedly houses the actual skull of the pirate Blackbeard (now cast in silver) in its archives.
In between adventures, Ocker successfully weaves in interviews and history lessons to make this book feel like an accurate report on the history of Salem. As someone who moved to New England a few years ago, it was fun to hear about my surrounding's past. Surprisingly, this book included several direct references to my home city, Providence! This book was sold to me as more of a travel guide than it actually is, but through trial and error, Ocker seems to have found some of the best spots to visit in the city. When reading, I found myself writing down some of the locations I'd be the most excited to check out. They included: Samuel Paris Archeological Site 1681-1784, The Gallows Hill Museum, The Peabody Essex Museum, The New England Pirate Museum, The Salem Maritime Historic Park , The Salem Maritime Society Headquarters in the top of the Hawthorne Hotel, The Haunted Neighborhood, The Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, Wicked Good Books, and Count Orlock’s Nightmare Gallery.
I read this book in hopes of visiting Salem this October. Although I've come to the realization that I won't get there this Fall, A Season with the Witch was still a worthwhile read. With his friendly writing style, Ocker made me feel like part of his Salem sojourn, bringing Salem to me.