Will Storr vs. the Supernatural: One Man's Search for the Truth about Ghosts. - Softcover

Will Storr

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0091910137 ISBN 13: 9780091910136

Publisher: Ebury, 2007

Synopsis

When journalist and ghost sceptic Will Storr heads to Philadelphia to meet Lou Gentile, a demonologist, he expects a little fun with an amusing eccentric. What he gets are terrifying experiences of spectral lights and horrific demonic growling - and all of his safe, adult preconceptions about ghosts instantly vanish. In the cold light of day, Will decides on a quest for the truth about ghosts. He meets professional paranormal investigators and takes part in seances and a vigil in the most haunted house in Britain, tries out divining rods and ouija boards, and goes on set with TV's "Most Haunted". But Will also seeks out the sceptics in clinical psychology and philosophy who ask if spirits are really just in our heads. His journey is full of bizarre, terrifying and hilarious experiences, each one a new insight into life, death and what might come after.

About this title

About the Author:

Will Storr is a feature writer and travel journalist based in south London. His work has appeared in a wide range of titles including The Times, Observer, Daily Mirror, The Face, Arena, High Life, Q, Zoo and Loaded. For more information, please visit Will's website at willstorr.com

From Publishers Weekly:

Starred Review. Accompanying a self-described demonologist in Philadelphia for a magazine story, London journalist and self-described skeptic Storr quickly came face to face with evidence he couldn't dismiss-a close encounter with a poltergeist ("something had touched me, hard enough to launch me to my feet") and a divination aficionado who may very well have been possessed. In the account that follows, Storr takes readers into some of the more disturbing and disturbed corners of modern ghost-hunting, whipping up a chilling, funny, thought-provoking page-turner. With great care and greater humor, Storr accompanies paranormal investigators famous and obscure, ghost hunting clubs and perplexed homeowners, taking time to research famous cases and discuss his findings with the experts, as well as the witnesses and victims of hauntings. The evidence he finds-from orbs of light that dance on-camera to spectral voices recorded on tape to seemingly possessed individuals-proves only slightly more fascinating than the folks who pursue it, a grand collection of kooks, swindlers, skeptics and true believers. Storr grapples mightily with the unknown, and though his consideration of the slippery nature of reality and the mystery of death is fascinating, it never overwhelms the narrative; indeed, Storr wisely gives the best lines to his subjects, recording them faithfully at their most profound (quoth one famous, long-practicing investigator, "I'm not sure what reality is anymore") as well as their most nonsensical (a haunted house-sitter spends his time performing "experiments where I pretend I'm slapping someone," in the hopes he'll one day do the haunting). Covering an impressive range of modern ghostly phenomenon-including a hilarious visit to the popular British TV show Most Haunted-this is a fun, fascinating and at times frightening read for anyone with an interest in the supernatural.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Ebury
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0091910137
• ISBN 13: 9780091910136
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320