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Cursed in New England: More Stories of Damned Yankees

Citro, Joseph A
Reader rating
4.4
(1 reviews) 141 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unearth the chilling legacy of true maledictions haunting New England's storied past.

Joseph A. Citro delves into the darker side of Yankee folklore, presenting a collection of genuine curses that have left their indelible mark across New England's landscape. Far beyond mere colorful expressions, these are potent imprecations meant to inflict suffering or destruction. From Rhode Island's vanishing families to Massachusetts' mysterious ailments, Maine's deadly waterways, New Hampshire's inexplicable blights, and Connecticut's descent into madness, Citro meticulously recounts tales both well-known and nearly forgotten. This compelling work invites readers to ponder whether these misfortunes were simply bad luck or something far more sinister at play.

Key themes
Regional Dark Folklore The Power of Maledictions Unexplained Phenomena
Historical context

This work sits firmly within the tradition of American folklore and regional horror, exploring the darker, superstitious undercurrents of New England's historical narrative. It contributes to the genre of true paranormal accounts that blend local history with occult phenomena.

Difficulty
● Easy
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🏛 Globe Pequot Publishing 📅 2018 📖 272 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781493032242
Fun fact
Joseph A. Citro excels at resurrecting forgotten regional tales, delivering a chillingly authentic collection of New England's darkest folklore. His narrative prowess makes each curse feel tangible, prompting genuine introspection about fate versus malevolent intent. While those seeking a lighthearted paranormal read might find its historical depth a bit somber, this book is a must-have for enthusiasts of genuine American supernatural history and regional gothic. It secures its place as a definitive chronicle of Yankee maledictions.

📝 Description: Cursed in New England: More Stories of Damned Yankees

New Englanders are always cursing. But a colorful profanity uttered by some stero-typically taciturn old Yankee is usually more humorous than menacing. Yet, true maledictions (the opposite of benedictions) have frequently been spoken on New England soil, curses intended to invoke evil, injury, or total destruction against other people. Stories about preternatural revenge are numerous in Yankee lore, with each New England state providing its favorites. You'll read about curses that were followed by the strange disappearance of a father and daughter in Rhode Island, mysterious afflictions in Massachusetts, a river of death in Maine, an unaccountable blight in New Hampshire, unexplained madness in Connecticut, and other eerie happenings from New England's colorful history. Some are well known, at least regionally. Others are nearly forgotten. Within these pages, storyteller Joseph A. Citro vividly brings these tales to life, letting us decide if these tales of woe were bad luck or . . . something else.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Joseph A. Citro provides a meticulous recounting of lesser-known and famous curses across New England. While the subject matter is undeniably intriguing for occult enthusiasts, this book may not suit readers seeking rigorous academic analysis or scientific debunking of paranormal claims. Those looking for fictional horror narratives will also find it lacking, as these are presented as genuine historical accounts. However, for casual readers interested in atmospheric storytelling and regional myths, it serves as an accessible and chilling introduction to the darker side of Yankee folklore without requiring extensive prior knowledge of esoteric traditions.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of history and the supernatural will find this collection deeply engaging. It appeals to those who appreciate regional folklore, particularly the specific maledictions associated with New England's states. If you enjoy tales of vanishing families, mysterious ailments, or inexplicable blights that defy logical explanation, this book offers a compelling look at the sinister forces alleged to haunt these landscapes. It is perfect for anyone who prefers their history served with a side of eerie speculation, inviting them to ponder whether bad luck was merely coincidence or the result of potent imprecations.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★
If you're drawn to the shadowy corners of American history, crave authentic regional ghost stories, or are fascinated by the enduring power of folklore and curses, this collection is for you. Prepare to be captivated by tales that blur the line between misfortune and malevolent intent.

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

Joseph A. Citro provides a meticulous recounting of lesser-known and famous curses across New England. While the subject matter is undeniably intriguing for occult enthusiasts, this book may not suit readers seeking rigorous academic analysis or scientific debunking of paranormal claims. Those looking for fictional horror narratives will also find it lacking, as these are presented as genuine historical accounts. However, for casual readers interested in atmospheric storytelling and regional myths, it serves as an accessible and chilling introduction to the darker side of Yankee folklore without requiring extensive prior knowledge of esoteric traditions.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While rooted in folklore, Citro's work often draws from local historical accounts and oral traditions, presenting events that were genuinely perceived as inexplicable or cursed by the communities involved. He invites readers to discern for themselves.
No, this book is primarily a collection of historical and supernatural narratives. It does not provide spells, remedies, or protective measures. Its focus is on recounting the stories and their perceived effects, not on practical occult guidance.

📖 Who should read this

If you're drawn to the shadowy corners of American history, crave authentic regional ghost stories, or are fascinated by the enduring power of folklore and curses, this collection is for you. Prepare to be captivated by tales that blur the line between misfortune and malevolent intent.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Regional Dark Folklore

Citro masterfully compiles preternatural narratives specific to each New England state. He explores how local geography and history intertwine with supernatural retribution, providing a mosaic of regional anxieties and beliefs. Readers will discover unique haunting traditions from Vermont to Massachusetts, each deeply rooted in its local landscape and community memory.

The Power of Maledictions

This collection examines the profound impact of genuine curses, distinguishing them from common profanity. It showcases how deliberate invocations of harm have historically manifested in devastating events, from unexplained disappearances to widespread afflictions. The book delves into the very real fear and consequences associated with these potent pronouncements of ill will.

Unexplained Phenomena

Citro presents a series of occurrences that defy rational explanation, leaving readers to question the boundaries of reality. Whether it's a mysterious blight, a sudden madness, or a deadly river, the book highlights instances where scientific understanding falls short, suggesting supernatural forces or fate might be at work behind these unsettling events.

💬 Quotes from the book

“These were not mere colorful exclamations, but potent imprecations designed to inflict evil, injury, or complete destruction.”

“From Rhode Island's baffling disappearances and Massachusetts' peculiar ailments, to Maine's deadly currents and Connecticut's sudden insanities.”

📜 Historical context

This volume stands firmly within the tradition of regional American folklore, particularly the 'dark Yankee' strain that explores the unsettling underbelly of New England's Puritanical and independent spirit. It continues a legacy of chronicling local legends and unexplained phenomena, echoing earlier collections that sought to preserve the unique supernatural narratives woven into the fabric of the nation's oldest settlements.

📚 Glossary

Malediction
Preternatural
Yankee Lore

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Consider a local legend or unexplained event from your own region. How might it compare to the New England curses described by Citro?
  2. If you were a witness to one of the 'cursed' events in the book, how might you have explained it before the advent of modern science?
  3. Reflect on the power of belief: how might the collective conviction in a curse contribute to its perceived manifestation or impact on a community?

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