Haunted Providence: Strange Tales from the Smallest State

Haunted America

by Rory Raven

Though Rhode Island is America's smallest state, they have more than their fair share of spooky stories. Author Rory Raven has collected stories and tales drawn from the history and folklore of one of the oldest cities in the nation. From restless spirits and mysterious deaths, to vampires and shadowy strangers, and even stories involving Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, Haunted Providence explores the unusual events and untold tales that have made this capital city unlike any other.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror, Short Stories, Ghost Stories

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2008

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not terribly spooky, but I loved learning more about one of my favorite cities. It was so much fun seeing the old pictures of the city over time along with the present day remnants of these stories. Probably not great if you are a connoisseur of the supernatural, but a delight if you are interested in the character of the city of Providence.

[Meredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst! No references, no footnotes, no works cited... the author does refer to some publications and names of people he interviewed within the text but, in general, it read like an informal conversation - not a nonfiction book. I'm sure Rory Raven does a fantastic Providence Ghost Walk but as an author, I'm unimpressed. This book may have been more appropriate as a shorter brochure one could purchase to accompany the Ghost Walk.

[Julio Enrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calificación: 👻👻👻 1/2. Relatos favoritos: “Edgar Allan Poe and Sarah Helen Whitman”, “Hanging an Innocent” y “H. P. Lovecraft”. Como todos los libros de esta colección (Haunted America), es una recopilación de relatos de fantasmas y cosas afines de un lugar particular de Estados Unidos; en este caso la cuna del viejo horrible Lovecraft: Rhode Island. Por lo mismo, uno de los puntos focales de este libro es ese escritor y hablar de qué tan embrujados están los lugares que frecuentó en vida y en cuál de ellos se aparece su fantasma. Como ya es obligatorio y necesario en el siglo XXI, esto no se hace sin dejar de hablar de su racismo rampante y de las debilidades de su prosa. No es el único escritor que aparece en el imaginario espectral de esa ciudad; otra presencia constante en el libro es Poe. Eso se debe a su relación con, la poeta olvidada de Providence, Sarah Helen Whitman. Eso me lleva a hablar de uno de los puntos más interesantes del libro. No se limita a contarte historias de aparecidos; también habla de sus causas, consecuencias y de los elementos problemáticos detrás de ellas. El fantasma de Poe se aparece y no el de Whitman porque su relación con ella la opacó tanto viva como muerta. De la misma forma, también señala que hay fantasmas que existen por culpa de la brutalidad policía, cosa que como todos sabemos sigue vigente y seguirá generando espectros. Lo recomiendo a fanáticos de los fantasmas o a quien quiera saber más sobre la ciudad natal de Lovecraft.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This stories in this book of ghost stories is fairly routine with two exceptions Most of the stories have the backdrop of a tragic human death followed by appearances of the deceased, sometimes many years later. The two exceptions are the stories that feature two masters of the macabre. Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft. Even a relatively routine story featuring these two men generates significant interest.
Providence, Rhode Island is like all other cities that have existed for centuries, there are stories of unusual events in the lives of unusual people. If you are looking for stories of ghosts and hauntings, then there are really only two of significant interest. All others have essentially appeared in many other publications with different names and locations.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I moved to Providence a few years ago, and absolutely love the supernatural side of the city. I always pick up these local books, and this one exceeded expectations. A quick read, but a great one! I’ve been to many of the places mentioned therein, and recommend that you do too, should you find your way here!

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the historical information about Providence some stories I’ve heard about before reading the book. I don’t feel they were so much ghost stories but just interesting tales

[Natty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little collection of folklore tales or ghosts etc and the stories that spawned them around Providence.

[Nick Rojas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating look at some of the stranger stories from our history. I recommend this to Rhode Islanders looking for a quick read.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a history book than a haunting book. The author's insistence on explaining away or downplaying the ghost stories got a bit tiresome. Good historical tidbits though.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining tales about one of my favorite cities. Lots of new places for me to check out next time I am in town.

[Nicole McIntyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine. More a collection of quirky historical stories than an accounting of paranormal events.

[Jessica Arend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone get this guy an editor! He truly does not know how to use a comma correctly, and it really distracts from the book.

[Angel Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunted Providence: Strange Tales from the Smallest State by Rory Raven was a little treat I got for myself one day at the Pascoag CVS.

Gotta say I love the spooky version of the Fleur-de-lys Studio on the cover.

Rory collected strange tales from over Providence (a even a couple outside Providence) from friends and locals living in some of Providence's more infamous locations... like some of Edgar Allen Poe's... haunts. (Sorry I couldn't help myself).

My favorite part is that Rory has never actually seen a ghost, but loves the idea of scary stories as he also runs (or ran. I'm not sure if that's still a thing) Providence ghost tours telling the tales of creepy houses.

It was a good read for the Halloween mood, especially if you like fun and creepy stories about Rhode Island.

[Navy heart HamlinNBCT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen my children and you shall hear
Each chapter's stepchild of haunts and hollows
Haunted,hunted and etched in memory
Forever more framed
Bound
Offered forth as histories chalice of ole
An etching,
A widow's' bellowing sigh-
Snuff kind sir?
Alas me lady hush !
Dear child cease
Close your eyes
The winds of time strike up an image
Ahhh thou behold thy sailor's passage
Walk forward gloved in solitude....

Another frame beholds....
Hoofs,
Ner' ceased
The hounds of hell unleash
As Reverend Tillinghast pleads for mercy
How now my beloved New England
Shhhh Providence first
Our captain's Capital
Enshrined in mysticism, twinkle lit epitaphs
Of
Flutter winged Towers
Shallow crimson marble tombstones

And no one struts
The streets of yesteryear
Than Master Rory Raven
Hark thou Raven...Never more
SAHNBCT2018

[Nomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hit by a motherlode of nostalgia for my home state of Rhode Island and bought a slew of haunted New England books, of which this is one. I don't believe in ghosts and enjoy these stories as a way to revel in the folklore of where I come from and besides, who DOESN'T like a good ghost story?

The photos were very good and the book was enjoyable. It feed this transplanted Rhode Islander's need to bring some spooky New England to overly sunny San Diego.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this is both historical fiction and non fiction (I can't find that I've created a shelf for folklore, ghost stories, legends and the like!), so for now, it will reside here. I like the writer's style and very much appreciate his facility with language. This was a good corralling of some of the weirdest and possibly scariest bits of history about Providence. A fun read for me and my spouse! Loved all the photos.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short easy to read anecdotal book brings history to life (or death) in a new manner. A little folksy, very Rhode Islandy it tells stories told around the state, perhaps more folklore than history. There is enough of both here to make even historyphobes take notice. I thought it was great. And the cover is fabulous too.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interest stories about Providnece. Quick good read.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part ghost stories, part armchair history. Some of the entries were a little disjointed, but it was an entertaining read anyway.

I don't miss living in Providence, though.

[Charles M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, filled with lore, etc. about Providence, RI and environs. From same person, who gives haunted tours of Providence, RI during fall.

[Michael Tedesco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got a lot out of this as a Rhode Island history book, more so than a spooky book. But that's ok. A quick enjoyable read and I learned a few things.