11 November 2022

A Season with the Witch - Book Review

A Season with the Witch: The Magic and Mayhem of Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts by J. W. Ocker
Publication: October 4, 2016
Pages: 338 pages
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ☆☆☆
Sweet Spark: How long do you need to live somewhere to count as more than a visitor? This author got a better rounded view of Salem by spending all of October in Witch City with his family.


The author's charming and conversational style was great for giving a convincing blend of seeing Salem as a visitor, while peeking behind the curtain at what it may be like to live there during something other than Halloween month. 

Everyone he spoke to was willing to treat October as an event in Salem, and the night of Halloween as an even more intense event than the rest of the month. While it sounded like a split between those who loved Salem except for October, and those who loved Salem in spite of October, their reasoning was usually similar - lots of crazy crowds there for a good time, and not necessarily out of respect for the tragic witchcraft trials that made Salem stand out.

While I would love to visit Salem anytime, it is admittedly mostly for the Witch City history and events. I enjoyed learning more about the historical significance of Salem as a maritime power and early manufacturing hub. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to those who are intrigued by Salem for any reason, or who would like to learn more about east coast U.S. history.

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