What do you think?
Rate this book
Passing Strange: True Tales of New England Hauntings and Horrors – Well-Documented Ghost Stories from America's Darkest Hills and Coasts
New England's dark hills, fogbound coasts, and hidden villages have inspired generations of writers such as Hawthorne, Lovecraft, and King. But these authors' dark imaginings pale when compared to little-known but well-documented and true tales. In this delightfully spine-tingling tour of all six New England states, Citro chronicles the haunted history and folklore of a region steeped in hardship and horror, humor and pathos.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
30 people are currently reading
1483 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 17, 2017
3.5
I became downright obsessed with the LORE podcast this past Fall, devouring all of it in it's entirety in the course of about a month. When the show on Amazon dropped, Goodreads put out a list of books that Aaron Mahnke (the creator) put together. On this list was the book PASSING STRANGE by Joseph A. Citro, which brings a collection of folklore and strange happenings from New England. Having enjoyed LORE, I put out an ILL for it.
New England has it's own strange brand of weird happenings. From Bigfoot sightings to ghosts to devils to aliens, the oldest part of our colonialized nation has a lot of crazy things to talk about. In PASSING STRANGE many of these stories are compiled and shared with those who may not be as familiar with them.
I will admit that if I came upon a story that LORE covered thoroughly, I ended up just skimming it. But I did enjoy PASSING STRANGE for the most part. Citro writes in a way that really takes the reader in, and I really liked reading about stories that I had never heard of. I'm familiar with folklore and ghost stories from the South and the West, but New England was new to me. I especially liked the story of the Provincetown Phantom, which seriously sounds just like one of my favorite creeper stories Spring-Heeled Jack. I had no idea that a similar thing happened in New England (though perhaps it was covered on LORE. If so, I don't remember it). I also was supremely creeped out by the encounters with beings that look like what we would call The Grim Reaper, sans scythe. I wish that this had more source notes in the back as there was so much addressed here and only a couple pages, but it was clear that Citro did do his research and presented it well.
PASSING STRANGE was a fun read, and it makes me kind of want to visit some of these places in New England. As I haven't explored much of it outside NYC, perhaps I will have to take my ghost loving butt thataway...
I became downright obsessed with the LORE podcast this past Fall, devouring all of it in it's entirety in the course of about a month. When the show on Amazon dropped, Goodreads put out a list of books that Aaron Mahnke (the creator) put together. On this list was the book PASSING STRANGE by Joseph A. Citro, which brings a collection of folklore and strange happenings from New England. Having enjoyed LORE, I put out an ILL for it.
New England has it's own strange brand of weird happenings. From Bigfoot sightings to ghosts to devils to aliens, the oldest part of our colonialized nation has a lot of crazy things to talk about. In PASSING STRANGE many of these stories are compiled and shared with those who may not be as familiar with them.
I will admit that if I came upon a story that LORE covered thoroughly, I ended up just skimming it. But I did enjoy PASSING STRANGE for the most part. Citro writes in a way that really takes the reader in, and I really liked reading about stories that I had never heard of. I'm familiar with folklore and ghost stories from the South and the West, but New England was new to me. I especially liked the story of the Provincetown Phantom, which seriously sounds just like one of my favorite creeper stories Spring-Heeled Jack. I had no idea that a similar thing happened in New England (though perhaps it was covered on LORE. If so, I don't remember it). I also was supremely creeped out by the encounters with beings that look like what we would call The Grim Reaper, sans scythe. I wish that this had more source notes in the back as there was so much addressed here and only a couple pages, but it was clear that Citro did do his research and presented it well.
PASSING STRANGE was a fun read, and it makes me kind of want to visit some of these places in New England. As I haven't explored much of it outside NYC, perhaps I will have to take my ghost loving butt thataway...
February 25, 2008
This is my favorite book. I love the mysterious tales of New England and how the author describes the scenes. I always wanted to go to all of the places when I lived in Boston, but I never got the chance.
November 5, 2018
Joe Citro's book, PASSING STRANGE, is another readable and intriguing look into a variety of strange happenings in the New England area. While it has some overlap with his previous book, GREEN MOUNTAIN GHOSTS, this book is much more exhaustive and covers a great deal more material.
Part of what makes the book so successful is its readability. I've read many books of this sort, and they usually aren't so well-written. Citro's a talented writer, which makes the book that much more fun to read. There were plenty of stories here that I hadn't heard, and Citro's research and voice made this one those books that I looked forward to spending time with.
HIGHLY recommended, even for those who don't live in the region!
Part of what makes the book so successful is its readability. I've read many books of this sort, and they usually aren't so well-written. Citro's a talented writer, which makes the book that much more fun to read. There were plenty of stories here that I hadn't heard, and Citro's research and voice made this one those books that I looked forward to spending time with.
HIGHLY recommended, even for those who don't live in the region!
February 28, 2022
This is an easy read if you’re into this sort of literature. The stories and accounts are well
narrated and easy to follow. I am familiar with many of these stories and places, but Citro’s commentary offers a fresh look at stores i’ve read and heard many times before. The language and terms in this book are outdated, but for a book published in the 90s I am not too surprised. It was cool to read about the “vampire” I can trace my ancestry to. New England legends and lore have fascinated me since i was a child and I found some new ones i had never heard of that I am excited to follow up on 20 years after Citro’s findings.
narrated and easy to follow. I am familiar with many of these stories and places, but Citro’s commentary offers a fresh look at stores i’ve read and heard many times before. The language and terms in this book are outdated, but for a book published in the 90s I am not too surprised. It was cool to read about the “vampire” I can trace my ancestry to. New England legends and lore have fascinated me since i was a child and I found some new ones i had never heard of that I am excited to follow up on 20 years after Citro’s findings.
November 6, 2017
Lot of anecdotal and researched stories that will keep you interested into reading this book. Again, nothing extra-ordinary that keeps the page turning but something that you can pick anytime, read for half hour and leave it for next time. Believe in every story with your own judgement and just enjoy the various and expansive list of topics discussed in this book.
Liked the read but just don't believe in more than half of what is mentioned here.
Liked the read but just don't believe in more than half of what is mentioned here.
October 18, 2017
A fantastic collection of stories and folklore from the Green Mountain State. Citro brings his usual humor and eloquent prose to these stories. A must-read for anyone interested in folklore or the supernatural!
September 1, 2019
It's still weird reading books that mention places I grew up around. Citro did a lovely job organizing and grouping these stories and retelling them with a lovely, snarky sense of humor and love of alliteration. Things got a bit repetitive at times, but overall an enjoyable read.
June 6, 2017
It is an amusing book, which I owned years ago. I resisted it as research for writing literary gothic fiction.
November 15, 2017
I loved this! Most of the stories in the book I'd never heard before and the telling of them was perfect!
September 12, 2018
Some great folk tales, delivered in conversational prose. Fun to read.
June 12, 2019
Fine
It is a fine collection of tales. Some of the language has not aged well— but it has some fascinating bits.
It is a fine collection of tales. Some of the language has not aged well— but it has some fascinating bits.
Read
October 23, 2019So glad I stumbled upon this little book. I love true ghost stories, and these are told especially well with a great sense of narrative and humor.
November 28, 2023
An interesting mixture of urban legends, ghost stories, and strange creature sightings (hoaxes?) from New England. Easy to dip in and out of.
November 16, 2016
From the title of this book, I was expecting mostly ghost stories. However, this book is unique in its genre, and I was very pleasantly surprised! Although many of the stories in this book are older, this author's ability as a raconteur quickly overcomes the boundaries of time. These tales are superbly told by a master at his game. Joseph A. Citro, in his own words, claims to be an "anthologizer." That is exactly what he does here, and he does it well.
The author's ability to narrate a captivating tale is the epitome of the classic New England story-teller, wry humor included. His prose breathes invigorating life into these stories, most of which are "off the beaten path." He will at times make you shiver, and at other times scratch your head. Gathered for your inspection are some of the most creepy, bizarre, and, in some cases, well-documented strange happenings from across the region. Joseph A. Citro has set himself apart as a top-notch investigator of odd history and unsolved mysteries, a true "Bard of the Bizarre." I am especially a fan of the stories about the sightings of the "Yankee Bigfoot." There were some pages I couldn't turn fast enough.
This collection peeks into lots of New England's nooks and crannies, and should be included in any ghost story, folklore, or mystery-filled library. These strange tales are engrossing, well varied, and unique. I would love to sit down with the author over a roaring campfire, late at night, with only the forest winds howling . . .
The author's ability to narrate a captivating tale is the epitome of the classic New England story-teller, wry humor included. His prose breathes invigorating life into these stories, most of which are "off the beaten path." He will at times make you shiver, and at other times scratch your head. Gathered for your inspection are some of the most creepy, bizarre, and, in some cases, well-documented strange happenings from across the region. Joseph A. Citro has set himself apart as a top-notch investigator of odd history and unsolved mysteries, a true "Bard of the Bizarre." I am especially a fan of the stories about the sightings of the "Yankee Bigfoot." There were some pages I couldn't turn fast enough.
This collection peeks into lots of New England's nooks and crannies, and should be included in any ghost story, folklore, or mystery-filled library. These strange tales are engrossing, well varied, and unique. I would love to sit down with the author over a roaring campfire, late at night, with only the forest winds howling . . .
March 27, 2012
Has been one of my favorite books ever since I was a teenager. I have always adored scary stories. Citro describes chilling tales and mysteries of the history of New England.
"'Mr. William Rose dug up the body of his daughter and burned her heart, for she was drawing energy from other members of the family.' -The Providence Journal, 1874 reported in the village of Placedale, Rhode Island" (Passing Strange)
"Before Connecticut residents suspect I'm accusing them of providing aid and comfort for the Devil, let me hasten to add that other New England states have reported demonic activity, too." (Joseph Citro - Passing Strange)
"From the moment of its birth, New England has been a weird place. Maybe weirder than Old England. Since day one, Yankees have, with alarming regularity, experienced odd encounters - on land, sea, even in air." (Joseph Citro - Passing Strange)
"'Mr. William Rose dug up the body of his daughter and burned her heart, for she was drawing energy from other members of the family.' -The Providence Journal, 1874 reported in the village of Placedale, Rhode Island" (Passing Strange)
"Before Connecticut residents suspect I'm accusing them of providing aid and comfort for the Devil, let me hasten to add that other New England states have reported demonic activity, too." (Joseph Citro - Passing Strange)
"From the moment of its birth, New England has been a weird place. Maybe weirder than Old England. Since day one, Yankees have, with alarming regularity, experienced odd encounters - on land, sea, even in air." (Joseph Citro - Passing Strange)
October 28, 2015
I enjoy compilations of "true" ghost stories, so I was excited about this one which is based in New England. However, I found most of the tales to be pretty bland, and not at all scary. In general, the vignettes were too short to really draw me in, and lacked sufficient detail to give them punch.
Growing up in New England, I definitely heard scarier tales at campfires than I read in this book.
Growing up in New England, I definitely heard scarier tales at campfires than I read in this book.
August 27, 2016
Do you know what's good about "Passing Strange"?.......its strange. Joe Citro writes like a person I knew forever that tells interesting stories. I personally don't know the guy, his appeal is that good. I hate that before I know it the book finished. Sad it had to come to an end and left wanting more strange.
Read
September 24, 2012What a thrill to read! I'm a sucker for stories of regional hauntings. If you are, you'll enjoy the book.
Read
August 12, 2018I am bad at this currently reading thing. I forget to come back, and mark them as read. No it didn't take me from April until August to finish the book. Ha! As for the book itself, it was kind of a cool read. I enjoyed the stories he shared.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews