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The Bell Witch: An American Haunting
A witness to the only documented incident in which a spirit is credited with killing a human being, Richard Powell relates to his daughter the macabre tale of the Bell Witch that haunted the Bell family of Robertson County.
199 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
53 people are currently reading
4598 people want to read
About the author
Brent Monahan
25 books33 followersBrent Monahan was born in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan in 1948, as a World War II occupation baby. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in Music and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington. He has performed, stage directed and taught music and writing professionally. He has authored fourteen published novels and a number of short stories. Two of his novels have been made into motion pictures. Brent lives in Yardley, PA, with his wife, Bonnie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
July 30, 2019
What an interesting read. If you believe in supernatural phenomenon then this book is right up your alley. 4 stars.
I picked up this non-fiction in the hopes of reading it during October 2018 as it is about hauntings. However this is more of a poltergeist story.
The book starts off with our author getting a call from an old college friend about a sealed manuscript found in an attic. According to the finder of said manuscript, she did not know whether the contents were legit. Brent Monaghan went through the process of researching the legitimacy of the accounts and have included the entire manuscript for us to read. As a reader, it was a compelling story as a believer.... anything is possible with the right motivation.
I wont say more about the haunting because that will spoil the fun. The haunting took place during 1817-1821. Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did.
I picked up this non-fiction in the hopes of reading it during October 2018 as it is about hauntings. However this is more of a poltergeist story.
The book starts off with our author getting a call from an old college friend about a sealed manuscript found in an attic. According to the finder of said manuscript, she did not know whether the contents were legit. Brent Monaghan went through the process of researching the legitimacy of the accounts and have included the entire manuscript for us to read. As a reader, it was a compelling story as a believer.... anything is possible with the right motivation.
I wont say more about the haunting because that will spoil the fun. The haunting took place during 1817-1821. Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did.
October 28, 2014
Since my parents currently live in Tennessee, the Bell Witch story has been a frequent source of conversation between myself and my mother, though neither of us have visited the site yet (as we hope to one day do it together). I know actually very little about the story, other than the blips I've seen on other supernatural documentaries on TV, so the horrible dramatic reenactments are all I have to really go on here. I've had this particular book on my shelf for at least four or five years, so it was about time I read it.
The book is meant to be a first person account by Richard Powell, a teacher and politician in Adams, TN in the early nineteenth-century. He falls for John Bell's daughter, Elizabeth, and so is interested in the strange occurrences at her house not only out of fascination of the supernatural but because he also hopes to get in her pants one day. Old Kate is allegedly the Bell Witch, a poltergeist that starts by pulling the blankets off the sleeping children but then eventually grows so powerful as to beat poor Betsy with her invisible hands. Powell here transcribes the events that occurred at the Bell home - some told him by members of the family or other eyewitnesses, and some seen and experienced by himself.
The real trick here is honestly there is a lot of dialogue. Even in the situations where someone told someone who told Powell about an event that happened, the dialogue is almost flawless, and the story is told in such a way that seems rather firm and decided. We have seen today what happens when authors try to pass off fiction as truth (ahem, James Frey), and while reading The Bell Witch I felt very similar as I did while reading A Million Little Pieces... that while perhaps written semi-well, the dude has an impeccable memory! The fact that Powell also wanted to jump Betsy's bones makes one question whether or not he was even telling the whole story, or if he went along with what Betsy told him, or that love is just blind, even when the object of one's affections is stark, raving mad.
Food for thought. Until I do more reading on the Bell witch, I hesitate to base any knowledge directly on this text. On the cover of the book, Fangoria claims that it's hard to put the book down, or something to that affect. I found that the only reason this was so is that it was written as one text (allegedly a letter from Powell to his daughter explaining these experiences), with no breaks or chapters. The only reason I didn't want to put the book down was out of fear that I wouldn't be able to find my place again. And while it's a quick read, I found it more tedious than riveting, having to hear the same story told over in different ways and wishing Powell and Betsy would just fuck and get it over with already.
The book is meant to be a first person account by Richard Powell, a teacher and politician in Adams, TN in the early nineteenth-century. He falls for John Bell's daughter, Elizabeth, and so is interested in the strange occurrences at her house not only out of fascination of the supernatural but because he also hopes to get in her pants one day. Old Kate is allegedly the Bell Witch, a poltergeist that starts by pulling the blankets off the sleeping children but then eventually grows so powerful as to beat poor Betsy with her invisible hands. Powell here transcribes the events that occurred at the Bell home - some told him by members of the family or other eyewitnesses, and some seen and experienced by himself.
The real trick here is honestly there is a lot of dialogue. Even in the situations where someone told someone who told Powell about an event that happened, the dialogue is almost flawless, and the story is told in such a way that seems rather firm and decided. We have seen today what happens when authors try to pass off fiction as truth (ahem, James Frey), and while reading The Bell Witch I felt very similar as I did while reading A Million Little Pieces... that while perhaps written semi-well, the dude has an impeccable memory! The fact that Powell also wanted to jump Betsy's bones makes one question whether or not he was even telling the whole story, or if he went along with what Betsy told him, or that love is just blind, even when the object of one's affections is stark, raving mad.
Food for thought. Until I do more reading on the Bell witch, I hesitate to base any knowledge directly on this text. On the cover of the book, Fangoria claims that it's hard to put the book down, or something to that affect. I found that the only reason this was so is that it was written as one text (allegedly a letter from Powell to his daughter explaining these experiences), with no breaks or chapters. The only reason I didn't want to put the book down was out of fear that I wouldn't be able to find my place again. And while it's a quick read, I found it more tedious than riveting, having to hear the same story told over in different ways and wishing Powell and Betsy would just fuck and get it over with already.
September 10, 2010
Scary at the start. Then it drags on. But towards the end, it makes the homerun. Bigtime. I did not see it coming. Almost all the questions answered sufficiently. Then it delivers the knockout with this as the very last sentence: There is much that can and should be learned from here.
That line from a horror story book? Yes, sir. This is a horror story with a heart. Not like the usual horror movie with scaring-the-hell-out-of-you as the only intent.
An American Haunting: The Bell Witch is a long letter of a father to his daughter found in an attic of a house where this "urban legend" in Robertson County, Tennessee supposedly happened in 1871-1821. The letter was written by Richard Powell to his daughter by the Betsy Bell. Betsy is this young lady who is being protected by the witch against her father, John Bell. The witch, called first called as Old Kate before becoming Bell Witch at first creates those strange noises, then adapted 4 personalities (Black Dog, Cypocryphy, Jerusalem and Mathematics) before finally revealing herself or himself (a witch is a spirit and "it" the book does not say whether it is male or female, so it does not have a gender) and his/her purpose.
This reminded me of the story my mother used to tell us, her kids. There is a story in the island where I grew up. In the 20's or 30's, there is this distant relative whose name is Mina Oliveros. She is the prettiest (no wonder she is my relative) among the single ladies in the island. She goes to the church everyday and she does not entertain suitors (she is young and her parents are strict). In the middle of the town is this big Balete tree. There used to be a church there (built in the 16th century) but the townfolks say the priest did not notice the tree growing in the altar and it becomes bigger and bigger until it "ate up" the church. Even up to now, you can still see the remnants of the church wall in between the barks of the tree trunk. No typhoon or other calamities could break any part of the tree. This means, according to my mother, that the tree is a haven for wandering spirits.
Living inside the Balete tree is a mysterious male giant (called "kapre" in the Philippines). He fell in love with Mina. My mother says that the kapre stays with Mina 24x7. Even when Mina goes to church, the kapre is with her. He just goes out before the priest's final blessing. Apparently, the dude does not appreciate being showered with the holy water.
Mina does not mind the friendship of the giant dude. People see her talking by herself. Sometimes she laughs and sometimes she cries. They all say that she is losing her mind. My mother says that the giant dude wants her to go with him in his "world". Maybe getting crazy means that. Maybe she joined him in his netherworld. Then came a typhoon and the townpeople saw many branches of the Balete tree broken. Then Mina gets sick then dies.
Is this true? My mother says so. She did not see Mina but my grandparents did. Is the Bell Witch true? Google "Bell Witch" and read for yourself. The book also has all these footnotes with actual names and dates.
This book is actually my way of re-introducing myself to the horror genre. The last book I read, 3 decades ago, was Stephen King's Night Shift and I picked this book because it says that this is based on a true account. I think I made a good choice. Now, I am looking forward to reading more from this genre.
FYI: there is already a movie adaptation of this book with Sissy Spacek as Betsy. I have to look for that book too.
That line from a horror story book? Yes, sir. This is a horror story with a heart. Not like the usual horror movie with scaring-the-hell-out-of-you as the only intent.
An American Haunting: The Bell Witch is a long letter of a father to his daughter found in an attic of a house where this "urban legend" in Robertson County, Tennessee supposedly happened in 1871-1821. The letter was written by Richard Powell to his daughter by the Betsy Bell. Betsy is this young lady who is being protected by the witch against her father, John Bell. The witch, called first called as Old Kate before becoming Bell Witch at first creates those strange noises, then adapted 4 personalities (Black Dog, Cypocryphy, Jerusalem and Mathematics) before finally revealing herself or himself (a witch is a spirit and "it" the book does not say whether it is male or female, so it does not have a gender) and his/her purpose.
This reminded me of the story my mother used to tell us, her kids. There is a story in the island where I grew up. In the 20's or 30's, there is this distant relative whose name is Mina Oliveros. She is the prettiest (no wonder she is my relative) among the single ladies in the island. She goes to the church everyday and she does not entertain suitors (she is young and her parents are strict). In the middle of the town is this big Balete tree. There used to be a church there (built in the 16th century) but the townfolks say the priest did not notice the tree growing in the altar and it becomes bigger and bigger until it "ate up" the church. Even up to now, you can still see the remnants of the church wall in between the barks of the tree trunk. No typhoon or other calamities could break any part of the tree. This means, according to my mother, that the tree is a haven for wandering spirits.
Living inside the Balete tree is a mysterious male giant (called "kapre" in the Philippines). He fell in love with Mina. My mother says that the kapre stays with Mina 24x7. Even when Mina goes to church, the kapre is with her. He just goes out before the priest's final blessing. Apparently, the dude does not appreciate being showered with the holy water.
Mina does not mind the friendship of the giant dude. People see her talking by herself. Sometimes she laughs and sometimes she cries. They all say that she is losing her mind. My mother says that the giant dude wants her to go with him in his "world". Maybe getting crazy means that. Maybe she joined him in his netherworld. Then came a typhoon and the townpeople saw many branches of the Balete tree broken. Then Mina gets sick then dies.
Is this true? My mother says so. She did not see Mina but my grandparents did. Is the Bell Witch true? Google "Bell Witch" and read for yourself. The book also has all these footnotes with actual names and dates.
This book is actually my way of re-introducing myself to the horror genre. The last book I read, 3 decades ago, was Stephen King's Night Shift and I picked this book because it says that this is based on a true account. I think I made a good choice. Now, I am looking forward to reading more from this genre.
FYI: there is already a movie adaptation of this book with Sissy Spacek as Betsy. I have to look for that book too.
November 16, 2016
The terrible ending ruined any interest in this book I had. Also I am not thrilled that a book touted as being non-fiction (it is not) is not non-fiction. I got this book because it was recommended to me by someone who suggested this for books about ghost stories and haunted houses.
This fictionalized story is told in the first person by Richard Powell. The author, Brent Monahan, takes a first person narrative approach by having Richard Powell address a letter to his daughter to be read after his death and only if his wife, her mother, Betsy Bell Powell seems to become "afflicted."
All of the characters in this book existed. The author took the documented cases of the Bell Witch and tried to turn what happened into a made for tv movie (that would appear on Lifetime) with an older Richard Powell in love with Betsey but heartsick over their age difference and the fact she was in love with a local boy more her age.
I ended up reading a website today that talks about The Bell Witch so I was able to root out certain parts of the story that were fictionalized or the author chose to ignore (Richard Powell was married before he married Betsey) and the fact that many in the community suspected him to be involved with making up The Bell Witch.
I have to say that the writing for the most part was well done, but the author taking turns to note the racist terrible things the supernatural entity that was known as Old Kate and the Bell Witch was off-putting as hell. I don't know if these are actual recorded things the entity supposedly said, but if he made it up to make it sensational, ugh to him. Also certain things have been disproved (General Andrew Jackson did not go to visit the Bell home) and I wonder why the author left them in.
The author included drawings that had been made previously in this book, that added an air of authenticity about it.
The flow to the book wasn't that great, and I think it's because it dragged a ton. Until you almost get to the end of the book, I felt like I was reading the most boring diary ever.
The setting of the Bell Home didn't seem like a real place to me. I think because I had a hard time envisioning the home that they all lived in.
The ending made me sigh and roll my eyes. Based on what came before, the hypothesis of the author doesn't make a lot of sense. And once again the author left out a lot of things about these real life people.
September 17, 2019
The story of the Bell Witch, which crosses over into folklore, has influenced a number of movies including The Blair Witch Project and An American Haunting. The latter is based on Brent Monahan’s rendition, The Bell Witch. I learned about the novel when I accidentally met the author at a distance-learning training at Rutgers University. I’d seen the movie and he informed me that it was based on his book. Using real historical characters, the tale is presented as an archived letter to the daughter of the author and the bewitched Betsy Bell. It isn’t exactly a scary novel, but the underlying idea is very creepy.
There was an actual Bell witch phenomenon in early nineteenth-century Tennessee. It grew legendary and has suggested itself for more than one fictionalized treatment. Monahan’s keeps you guessing as to which part is historical and which parts are invented. It is more powerful if you don’t watch the movie version first. The narrative builds slowly, in keeping with the period represented. Part poltergeist story, part possession story, the account of Betsy’s torment brings the good name of the John Bell family into ill repute.
Unlike most novels, footnotes to actual historical sources provide both further reading and verisimilitude. The legend is largely regarded as folklore these days. If the reader gets into the spirit of the book, it can seem very believable. Betsy is released from her torture when her father dies and she turns down the hand of her fiancé. This leaves open the option of marrying the narrator and allowing the story to be told. It probably won’t keep you up at nights, but it is a satisfying read. I wrote a little more about it here: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.
There was an actual Bell witch phenomenon in early nineteenth-century Tennessee. It grew legendary and has suggested itself for more than one fictionalized treatment. Monahan’s keeps you guessing as to which part is historical and which parts are invented. It is more powerful if you don’t watch the movie version first. The narrative builds slowly, in keeping with the period represented. Part poltergeist story, part possession story, the account of Betsy’s torment brings the good name of the John Bell family into ill repute.
Unlike most novels, footnotes to actual historical sources provide both further reading and verisimilitude. The legend is largely regarded as folklore these days. If the reader gets into the spirit of the book, it can seem very believable. Betsy is released from her torture when her father dies and she turns down the hand of her fiancé. This leaves open the option of marrying the narrator and allowing the story to be told. It probably won’t keep you up at nights, but it is a satisfying read. I wrote a little more about it here: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.
August 10, 2021
The book is written as one long chapter without any real breaks which makes it very difficult to read without sitting down and reading it in one sitting. Other than that I only have personal issues with the book and the ending to the story but this is not a reflection on the book or the author. It was a decent read.
October 15, 2017
Before I start the review proper, I should note that one really get thing about this audio book was the reader. He was great.
The Bell Witch is a famous American haunting. Monahan claims that this is an account written by Richard Powell who married Betsy Bell, the young woman who was one of the people haunted by the Bell Witch. So this is one of those fact mixed with fiction books that yanks my chain.
The problem with the claim is that the narrative doesn't quite make sense and is put in a vaccum. I think the conclusion is interesting, but Powell's narrative leaves out certain details, like all the time he was crushing on Betsy he was married. While a narrative written to your daughter wouldn't mention that, if this was truly a work of non-fiction shouldn't the editor note that?
And if you don't, why don't you edit out the problematic language?
And those are major problems. And yet, I wonder if this version isn't simply about gender and victimhood. Considering that the teller is a man who married a girl who is younger enough to be his daughter and who he has been in love with since she was 12, he is, in fact, a bit of predator. Considering her parent's history this too is rather interesting. So I wonder if that is the deeper point here - a point about gender and abuse.
The Bell Witch is a famous American haunting. Monahan claims that this is an account written by Richard Powell who married Betsy Bell, the young woman who was one of the people haunted by the Bell Witch. So this is one of those fact mixed with fiction books that yanks my chain.
The problem with the claim is that the narrative doesn't quite make sense and is put in a vaccum. I think the conclusion is interesting, but Powell's narrative leaves out certain details, like all the time he was crushing on Betsy he was married. While a narrative written to your daughter wouldn't mention that, if this was truly a work of non-fiction shouldn't the editor note that?
And if you don't, why don't you edit out the problematic language?
And those are major problems. And yet, I wonder if this version isn't simply about gender and victimhood. Considering that the teller is a man who married a girl who is younger enough to be his daughter and who he has been in love with since she was 12, he is, in fact, a bit of predator. Considering her parent's history this too is rather interesting. So I wonder if that is the deeper point here - a point about gender and abuse.
November 2, 2016
Meh. I gave this 2 stars because the end was rather surprising, but it was still really dry. Unless you plan on poking around in Tennessee where the supposed "haunting" happened, I would suggest just skipping this one.
August 7, 2020
Pretty good ghost story. A little meandering during the first half, but worthwhile for the second.
September 23, 2019
The Bell family was tormented by poltergeist/haunting activity after a local woman named Kate cursed the family patriarch. Most attacks were to him and his daughter Betsy. The story is told by a teacher of hers who had been there for many of the attacks. There is a lot of mystery around the "Bell witch" and many many people who witnessed the attacks that had come from all over to try and prove them as hoaxes, yet they never could. This is a fictional retelling but it is obvious it was well researched and as accurate a presentation as could be. Scary and engaging.
November 10, 2017
God awful.
January 3, 2024
Completely unprepared for the last 20 pages. On my way to recommend this to everyone.
December 16, 2015
2.5 stars
From the blurb: "The Bell Witch took up residence with John Bell's family in 1818. It was a cruel and noisy spirit, given to rapping and gnawing sounds before it found its voices.
With these voices and its supernatural acts, the Bell Witch tormented the Bell family. This extraordinary book recounts the only documented case in U.S. history when a spirit actually caused a man's death.
[...]this book recounts the tale with novelistic vigor and verve. It is truly chilling."
Chilling? Not so much. I just kinda expect malevolent spirits to, you know... be malevolent. Just a quirk I have. So much of this book was about how this spirit would just sit down and have conversations with people regarding what it is and where it came from and what it wanted. There was surprisingly little poltergeist chaos wreaking after the initial start. I dunno, maybe the teller thought we'd get bored with that chaos and terror, and instead wanted to tell us all the mundane stuff about it, like... how it went out of its way to prevent injury or death to some or outright save others. Or when it touched that one guy's hand that time, in order to be "liked".
I had seen the movie, and so I knew how it went. I wasn't sure whether the resolution at the end of the movie would be a Hollywood re-write or not, and so I waited it out with the book to see. And I found out my answer about an hour before the audiobook ended. I could have stopped there, but I'm glad that I kept with it until the end. It didn't improve things very much for me, but I think that there was information in the book that wasn't in the movie, about the spirit's origin and manifestation, and I found that aspect very interesting. Hence the half star addition. ;)
The audio reader was very iffy for me. In the Editor's Note at the beginning of the book, he sounded very stiff and formal, but then when he started to read the story, he fell into this kind of Southern drawl that made me sigh with contentment. Unfortunately, he didn't keep it up. Boo!
I'm not a big fan of audiobook readers who "do" the voices. I usually just want the reader to read and let the characters speak for themselves. There were parts that were very well done, Old Kate's "main" voice, & John Bell's voice were both done well. But then, during straight narration, the reader would lapse into odd accents, or stumble over his words, or pause at inconvenient times (like the middle of a word). I heard something like a Scottish accent, hints of a Spanish one, a little bit of Minnesotan, etc. Every time one of these would slip in, I'd be like...
Yeah. So, this book? Not terrible, but not very good either. That is all.
From the blurb: "The Bell Witch took up residence with John Bell's family in 1818. It was a cruel and noisy spirit, given to rapping and gnawing sounds before it found its voices.
With these voices and its supernatural acts, the Bell Witch tormented the Bell family. This extraordinary book recounts the only documented case in U.S. history when a spirit actually caused a man's death.
[...]this book recounts the tale with novelistic vigor and verve. It is truly chilling."
Chilling? Not so much. I just kinda expect malevolent spirits to, you know... be malevolent. Just a quirk I have. So much of this book was about how this spirit would just sit down and have conversations with people regarding what it is and where it came from and what it wanted. There was surprisingly little poltergeist chaos wreaking after the initial start. I dunno, maybe the teller thought we'd get bored with that chaos and terror, and instead wanted to tell us all the mundane stuff about it, like... how it went out of its way to prevent injury or death to some or outright save others. Or when it touched that one guy's hand that time, in order to be "liked".
I had seen the movie, and so I knew how it went. I wasn't sure whether the resolution at the end of the movie would be a Hollywood re-write or not, and so I waited it out with the book to see. And I found out my answer about an hour before the audiobook ended. I could have stopped there, but I'm glad that I kept with it until the end. It didn't improve things very much for me, but I think that there was information in the book that wasn't in the movie, about the spirit's origin and manifestation, and I found that aspect very interesting. Hence the half star addition. ;)
The audio reader was very iffy for me. In the Editor's Note at the beginning of the book, he sounded very stiff and formal, but then when he started to read the story, he fell into this kind of Southern drawl that made me sigh with contentment. Unfortunately, he didn't keep it up. Boo!
I'm not a big fan of audiobook readers who "do" the voices. I usually just want the reader to read and let the characters speak for themselves. There were parts that were very well done, Old Kate's "main" voice, & John Bell's voice were both done well. But then, during straight narration, the reader would lapse into odd accents, or stumble over his words, or pause at inconvenient times (like the middle of a word). I heard something like a Scottish accent, hints of a Spanish one, a little bit of Minnesotan, etc. Every time one of these would slip in, I'd be like...
Yeah. So, this book? Not terrible, but not very good either. That is all.
April 13, 2021
Usually, when I read a book I dislike as much as I ended up disliking this one, I stop reading it. But I'm from Middle Tennessee and grew up with stories and playtime games of the Bell Witch hopping from child to child on the school playground. I wanted to know the legend behind the Bell Witch.
Well, it's horrible. The Bell Witch is the least horrific character in this book, except for Elizabeth Bell herself. Everyone else deserved to be haunted. The main character and narrator is a man in his mid-thirties lusting after the 12-13-year-old Elizabeth Bell. Her father married her mother at the same age, and the mother thinks it's a good age to marry and tries to convince the narrator to marry Elizabeth despite their age difference. Oh, and he's her school teacher too!
If that's not bad enough, every enslaved African American is described in the most demeaning way possible.
And actually, the ending is worse. I'm going to give some content warning spoilers, so if you're a person who avoids certain subject matters, check the spoiler before reading.
Anyway, I'll keep my childhood stories instead, which had nothing to do with the actual story, though Elizabeth Bell remained in our stories too.
The author claims this is a real 19th century document, but I'm very dubious. It reads like a contemporary historical fiction. The nods to historical figures feel too on the nose.
Well, it's horrible. The Bell Witch is the least horrific character in this book, except for Elizabeth Bell herself. Everyone else deserved to be haunted. The main character and narrator is a man in his mid-thirties lusting after the 12-13-year-old Elizabeth Bell. Her father married her mother at the same age, and the mother thinks it's a good age to marry and tries to convince the narrator to marry Elizabeth despite their age difference. Oh, and he's her school teacher too!
If that's not bad enough, every enslaved African American is described in the most demeaning way possible.
And actually, the ending is worse. I'm going to give some content warning spoilers, so if you're a person who avoids certain subject matters, check the spoiler before reading.
Anyway, I'll keep my childhood stories instead, which had nothing to do with the actual story, though Elizabeth Bell remained in our stories too.
The author claims this is a real 19th century document, but I'm very dubious. It reads like a contemporary historical fiction. The nods to historical figures feel too on the nose.
July 19, 2011
This is the book upon which the 2006 film starring Donald Southerland was made. Maybe I'm getting older or thoroughly de-sensitized by media, but a good old fashioned ghost story just does't scare anymore. This one was sort of hokey, not the spooky tales I grew up with. My cousin scared me to death with Bell Witch stories when I was little. I do need to go up to Adams and check out the place and I did enjoy reading about 1820s Tennessee, and about Andrew Jackson's visit.
November 10, 2017
I️ have no idea what happened in this book. It was dry, confusing, and did not have any reason to make the reader actually care about the story.
October 22, 2019
Thanks to the major motion picture An American Haunting, virtually everyone in America has heard about the infamous "Bell Witch" that plagued the Bell family in 1800's Tennessee. I've also seen the property where this haunting occurred on the show Ghost Adventures, when the team investigated a cave near the old Bell homestead that is rumored to still be haunted by the spirit known as "the Bell Witch" or "Old Kate." Lucky for me, a close friend of mine had never heard of this old American legend (or the movie) and decided to buy The Bell Witch: An American Haunting to see what it's about. Naturally, I say "lucky for me" because she then loaned me the book as well.
The Bell Witch: An American Haunting is largely a manuscript written by Richard Powell, a local schoolteacher who witnessed many of the events of the Bell family haunting, and ended up marrying Betsy Bell--the young daughter of John Bell who was most plagued by the spirit's attentions in the beginning of the haunting. He writes a detailed account of the events to be read by his daughter upon his death (if needed for the safety of his beloved Betsy). My understanding is that author Brent Monahan essentially just assembled this manuscript and prepared it for publication. The factual, scholarly tone of Powell might have made the story come across as dry, but I think it ended up just adding to the creep factor instead. Just the mere thought that his retelling of the events might be true makes this way scarier than anything concocted by a writer with more colorful, sensationalized language.
Perrrrfect October read.
Also, call me crazy, but I would love to go see the Bell Witch Cave someday!
The Bell Witch: An American Haunting is largely a manuscript written by Richard Powell, a local schoolteacher who witnessed many of the events of the Bell family haunting, and ended up marrying Betsy Bell--the young daughter of John Bell who was most plagued by the spirit's attentions in the beginning of the haunting. He writes a detailed account of the events to be read by his daughter upon his death (if needed for the safety of his beloved Betsy). My understanding is that author Brent Monahan essentially just assembled this manuscript and prepared it for publication. The factual, scholarly tone of Powell might have made the story come across as dry, but I think it ended up just adding to the creep factor instead. Just the mere thought that his retelling of the events might be true makes this way scarier than anything concocted by a writer with more colorful, sensationalized language.
Perrrrfect October read.
Also, call me crazy, but I would love to go see the Bell Witch Cave someday!
September 13, 2025
Not my usual read. This was first published in 1997 and yet (although based in the 1800s) still predicates that the attraction to children by grown men is something these men "can't control"... Not as spooky as I was hoping for the upcoming Fall season. Not horrible either.
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, child abuse, paranormal/supernatural elements, racism, slavery, religious elements, incest
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, child abuse, paranormal/supernatural elements, racism, slavery, religious elements, incest
May 7, 2022
This book was horrifying.
November 3, 2021
I like reading up on urban legends and American folklore so I was hopeful this would be a fun, creepy read. Although there are moments that should have been scary, the text was just too dry for it to confer the feelings of spine-tingling fright. The legend was an interesting story but could have been told in a more tangible, relatable way.
October 12, 2024
DNF at 36%
What a crock of poop. It's boring, uninteresting, and I feel like it tries to intentionally confuse the readers.
It claims to be a diary discovered about the bell witch in Tennessee and claims sources and all that. But it's a novel and a shit one at that.
0/10. Would not give a star if I could. It's a waste of time, and honestly? I feel kinda bad to inflict it on someone else .
What a crock of poop. It's boring, uninteresting, and I feel like it tries to intentionally confuse the readers.
It claims to be a diary discovered about the bell witch in Tennessee and claims sources and all that. But it's a novel and a shit one at that.
0/10. Would not give a star if I could. It's a waste of time, and honestly? I feel kinda bad to inflict it on someone else .
August 7, 2021
Interesting story - but I felt it was very repetitive and dragged on at times - also very hard to pause/stop reading because there were no chapter or breaks!
October 21, 2008
I have only done minimal research on the Bell Witch or "Old Kate" so I really cannot vouch for the accuracy of this novel. True the introduction implies that this book is from a long lost document, a first hand account written by Richard Powell, for those of you who are familiar with the tale of the Bell Witch, Richard Powell was the school master who eventually married Betsy Bell. Betsy was the Bell Daughter who was most violently attacked by the witch.
Though many of the accounts in this book mirror those that have been documented, there appears to be some creative license taken. So go into this book viewing as an interesting story BASED on events that may have happened. Some of the events that have not been verified but that occur in this book are the presence of Andrew Jackson and the rather questionable ending. Still this was a very interesting read, and I'm glad I finally sat down and committed to it. I have not seen the movie made from this book, but have been told it is a descent film.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Bell witch tale, it takes place in Tennessee during the settlements. The Bell family found themselves in a financial dispute with Kate Batts, an eccentric neighbor who then proceeded to curse them in public. Soon after the curse, strange events began happening, first starting with noises then as the supernatural occurrence gained strength it began attacking Betsy Bell, the youngest of the daughters. As the poltergeist activity heightened, the towns people were brought in, many who witnessed events and even spoke with the "witch" which they referred to as "Old Kate" after the woman who they assumed had conjured the demon. The ghost or witch could at times be friendly and helpful and at other times deceitful and dangerous.
The idea of using the teacher as the voice was a good choice because he was not a part of the family, so he was not privy to all of the ghost's deeds, but since both his home and the schoolhouse were on the Bell's property, he was present for much of the drama, and witnessed many of the events. Add into this the fact that although she was much younger than he - he was in love with Betsy Bell. This gave him a level of concern beyond that of curious neighbor.
The voice of the book felt genuine, and as a reader, you do feel genuine concern for those involved. And at times you can't help but be enamored by Old Kate with her devilish attitudes and whimsical nature. I felt this was actually a more well written novel than "Amityville Horror" which was also supposed to be a "true" account of a haunting. This one was a far more enjoyable read and was extremely interesting. Though I'm not a believer or dis-believer in the Bell Witch or any other supernatural phenomenon, I would not hold this book up as accurate. Entertaining - yes, enlightening - no. Either way, it was fun to read.
Though many of the accounts in this book mirror those that have been documented, there appears to be some creative license taken. So go into this book viewing as an interesting story BASED on events that may have happened. Some of the events that have not been verified but that occur in this book are the presence of Andrew Jackson and the rather questionable ending. Still this was a very interesting read, and I'm glad I finally sat down and committed to it. I have not seen the movie made from this book, but have been told it is a descent film.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Bell witch tale, it takes place in Tennessee during the settlements. The Bell family found themselves in a financial dispute with Kate Batts, an eccentric neighbor who then proceeded to curse them in public. Soon after the curse, strange events began happening, first starting with noises then as the supernatural occurrence gained strength it began attacking Betsy Bell, the youngest of the daughters. As the poltergeist activity heightened, the towns people were brought in, many who witnessed events and even spoke with the "witch" which they referred to as "Old Kate" after the woman who they assumed had conjured the demon. The ghost or witch could at times be friendly and helpful and at other times deceitful and dangerous.
The idea of using the teacher as the voice was a good choice because he was not a part of the family, so he was not privy to all of the ghost's deeds, but since both his home and the schoolhouse were on the Bell's property, he was present for much of the drama, and witnessed many of the events. Add into this the fact that although she was much younger than he - he was in love with Betsy Bell. This gave him a level of concern beyond that of curious neighbor.
The voice of the book felt genuine, and as a reader, you do feel genuine concern for those involved. And at times you can't help but be enamored by Old Kate with her devilish attitudes and whimsical nature. I felt this was actually a more well written novel than "Amityville Horror" which was also supposed to be a "true" account of a haunting. This one was a far more enjoyable read and was extremely interesting. Though I'm not a believer or dis-believer in the Bell Witch or any other supernatural phenomenon, I would not hold this book up as accurate. Entertaining - yes, enlightening - no. Either way, it was fun to read.
May 24, 2009
A true story of a Tennessee haunting in the early 1800's. It's interesting that this is manuscript written by a neighbor of the Bell family who witnessed the events which had a great deal to do with the writer's future wife, Betsy Bell.
While the writing wasn't always exciting, it's difficult to speak badly of it since it is not written by someone who claims to be a writer, and rather, is just getting down the details for his and Betsy's daughter. I do think I would prefer this version over a book written based on the manuscript which would probably exaggerate events for the sake of entertainment.
I enjoyed the twist at the end which explains the presence of the entity.
While the writing wasn't always exciting, it's difficult to speak badly of it since it is not written by someone who claims to be a writer, and rather, is just getting down the details for his and Betsy's daughter. I do think I would prefer this version over a book written based on the manuscript which would probably exaggerate events for the sake of entertainment.
I enjoyed the twist at the end which explains the presence of the entity.
February 16, 2015
Freaky is probably the best word to describe this story. I couldn't put it down. The usual paranormal/ghost activity at the beginning is not nearly as chilling as the mundane stuff that happens later as the Bell family and the community intereact with the relentless "witch." I don't want to give anything away, but I did not see the ending coming. Total surprise. Maybe it was because I was so focused on the interactions with the witch that I didn't have the energy to develop theories about how/why it got there. It is a quick a read. I read it in one day and I am a generally slow reader.
August 4, 2021
Y'all this book was a struggle. It's short, right under 200 pages, but man......there are no breaks!!! No chapters, no pauses, just one long soliloquy!!! And I found it repetitive. I'm a believer in ghosts, spirits and whatever else but this book had me saying, really?!
This is the true account of The Bell Witch, a spirit that haunted the Bell family in TN in 1890. They say this account is held up in town records because there were always so many witnesses. I'll let you read it and come to your own conclusion. There's also a movie that's pretty good too. Do you believe in ghosts?👻
This is the true account of The Bell Witch, a spirit that haunted the Bell family in TN in 1890. They say this account is held up in town records because there were always so many witnesses. I'll let you read it and come to your own conclusion. There's also a movie that's pretty good too. Do you believe in ghosts?👻
April 27, 2016
I live a stone's throw away from this! I want to go see the cave and the house!
October 9, 2017
This may rate a 2.5 but I rounded up. I must be an extremely jaded person, for while this story is said to be terrifying or scary, it wasn't. Ok, if I sit and think about this sort of thing happening to myself, or to someone I know, to actually experience this sort of happening, it Would be terrifying by all accounts. But read as a story it is not. If you are looking for a fictional story to give you shivers, look elsewhere. This book is meant for a recounting of a particular event and to make the details known. It is not meant as a gripping tale to keep you up at night.
It was confusing at first, putting all of the names and dates into order, but eventually it all settled down and I didn't have to keep flipping back to previous pages to remind myself of who was who or what was when.
It does have one utterance of the "F-bomb", and a few cases of other "swears", but nothing you won't find in the Bible besides that one.
It was confusing at first, putting all of the names and dates into order, but eventually it all settled down and I didn't have to keep flipping back to previous pages to remind myself of who was who or what was when.
It does have one utterance of the "F-bomb", and a few cases of other "swears", but nothing you won't find in the Bible besides that one.
October 11, 2025
Started this thinking it would be a non-fiction, or at least truth-based, account of the Bell Witch, but this is just historical fiction. Everything with the actual Bell Witch reads like a run-of-the-mill exorcism movie, which is disappointing considering how rich an 1820s horror piece could be. This is more "The Pope's Exorcist" than "The VVitch." Only redeeming qualities are when the epistolary form actually does a good job of approximating the flow of information in actual 19th century horror fiction.
October 12, 2019
Okay first off I’m familiar with the Bell Witch story.... I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t love it. The premise of a found epistle to Betsy Bell’s daughter was a great one. The story not that compelling though. This book wasn’t scary and you weren’t scared of ‘the witch’ I guess I wanted it to be scarier. Of course the ending was interesting but I’d heard that hypothesis before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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