Nantucket Haunted Hike Presents: the Huanted Nantucket Island: Twenty-two True Nantucket Ghost Stories

by W.B. Alexander

Book by Alexander, W. B.

164 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2005

Reviews

[Daniel A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, let me say two things: One, my natural default is solid skepticism. Two, I am personally acquainted, though not necessarily friends, with author W. B. Alexander, from vacations several years ago on Nantucket Island, and it was in that capacity that Alexander—the former conductor of a wonderful ghost tour on the island—signed my copy of The Nantucket Haunted Hike Presents: Haunted Nantucket Island Twenty-Two True Nantucket Ghost Stories.

That being noted, how to appreciate a book describing supposedly true hauntings, when one doesn't necessarily believe in ghosts and/or the supernatural? It helps if the voice of the author comes through loud and clear. And indeed it does. Alexander, by my recollection, was theatrical, enthusiastic, highly entertaining, and evocative in his tours, and Haunted Nantucket Island conveys Alexander's voice in excellent fashion. Reading the book, I can hear Alexander speaking while walking over the cobblestoned streets and past weathered wooden houses of the storied island, and if the purpose of Haunted Nantucket Island is to send chills down the reader's spine . . . well, it was certainly effective on that count.

Ultimately, I gave Haunted Nantucket Island four stars, because while certainly effective and a fun read, at some point the errors in spelling, grammar, and typography got to me. But don't let that stop you from reading the book, particularly if you want a few goosebumps on your arms.

[Susan Sepples]

Stuck on the island-- ferry wasn't running--- spent the afternoon in this gorgeous library--the Atheneum--- (we sat in the nantucket section) and I looked at beautiful books on architecture, design etc but then I became engrossed-- so engrossed that a tap on my arm made me jump ---with these stories--- read almost all of them before I had to leave for the next ferry--- Great stories and beautifully written!

[The Transmuted Tree · Rating 1 out of 5]

There once was a man from Nantucket
Whose book was so bad I said fuck it
On page number one
I declared I was done
And into the trash I did chuck it

So this guy is a haunted tour guide in Nantucket who decided to write a book. I've never come across such poor writing chock full of mistakes as I have with this book. I made it all the way to the second sentence when I read "...the house it's self is as ramshackle as can be." I'm thinking Oh boy, it starts already.

Then it's awkward sentence after awkward sentence, run-on sentences galore; this man loves commas. He writes like he's having a casual conversation with you but he's not good at talking or writing. Then another glaring mistake. Then this gem: "The family kept it nicely, fresh paint, new shingles when it needed them, we had always wanted to come see the cousins when they came to Nantucket because of the charm of the house."

Whaaaaaaaaaaat? (in my Jon Stewart voice)

I made it to the 5th paragraph and slammed it shut. Congratulations dude, that is a record for me! And probably a record for the book as well, for the most mistakes on the first page.
I can't stand error-filled writing and when there are several painfully obvious, 4th grade level mistakes (I may be insulting 4th graders here--sorry) on the FIRST page, I'm going to ridicule and publicly shame you and then use your book as lining in my rat's cage. Your shit will be right at home with his.
Don't quit your day job.

[Katie Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it