I read this book quite a while ago in 2002, and since it was one of my favorites, I bought it to have on my Kindle and am reading it again, which I rarely do. Once I read a book I’m done with it. tI love historical fiction if the facts are close to accurate, and because there are so many eyewitness accounts to the remarkable phenomenon known as the Bell Witch (1817-1821/28), and because I’ve read much on these accounts, I can relate with confidence that this fictional interpretation stays close to the facts. tAll That Lives is told from the first person point-of-view of Betsy Bell, the youngest daughter of John and Lucy Bell, who, along with her father, bore the brunt of the witch’s cruel assaults. This approach to the legend provides the reader with many interesting facets to the tale, though it is slow to reveal when things become truly incredible, spending a lot of time on the lives of the family as they deal with the beginnings of the poltergeist-like activity before the entity becomes strong enough to speak. Anyone familiar with this story, and even those who are not, will probably agree that it isn’t necessary to prolong the initial confusion of the family as they deal with disembodied scratching and bedpost gnawing, as well as curious raps and bumps in the night. It seems an overreach as the point is made continually. It also spends a lot of time relaying the hair pulling and beatings Betsy and other witnesses were subject to before it heightens to the more fascinating aspect of the manifestation. tHowever, this book isn’t for everyone, not only because so many might not be drawn to a novel detailing historical events, but because, quite simply, the author practices the appropriate language of the period. However, with the exception of the events leading up to the witch’s capability to communicate, the pacing is decent enough, and the writing is certainly bearable. tThis is one of those rare stories that avid readers are pleased to find, and I do recommend it for those who wouldn’t mind the romantically thrilling side of an otherwise startling, well documented account.
First of all, to be honest, I haven't finished this book yet, so the stars are only my rating with what I've read so far, but I have added it to my "to-read" shelf. I may have a slightly small attention span, but usually I'm able to get far into a book and even finish it in a reasonable amount of time. This book is just really long and I feel it was getting repetitive, with the same things happening every night and it just seemed like it was taking too long to get anywhere further. However, I don't want to give up on the book just yet. I like scary ghost stories and I feel it has potential. I look forward to giving it another chance later in time and hopefully a better review.
Do You like book All That Lives (2003)?
This is definately my favorite book. I think it's a really good example of the bell family witch. But, its not only that that makes this book enjoyable. The writer pulls you into the time frame. As the setting is 1815, the characters motives, and mentality all agree with the time. It also kind of prys into the mindset of fear, and how so much of it, can drive people crazy. On a more "supernatural" note, it represents qualities of a violent spirt very well. If you like stories about ghosts, you wouldn't pass this book up.
—Amanda
This book is the epitome of OK. The writing is well-done, with the dialog the most obvious flaw. I think the author made the mistaken assumption that people spoke the way they wrote. I liked the historical details and the immersion into the time period and setting. The haunting was okay with some nice malice (at times). The talking spirit device never really worked for me and I thought it was something of a cop-out. The action and the narrative should have made the spirit's motives clear. The book was slow, not so much in the sense that it was boring, but that it was pointless. There was little pacing and no sense of events picking up speed and leading to a satsifying conclusion. A nice effort that could have been a lot better.
—Eric
Absolutely dreadful. I very rarely do not finish a book, but this one I literally threw down in disgust. The writing was poor, the dialogue felt contrived (I have read books written during the period in which this was based and no one talked the way these characters talk) and worst of all about halfway through the book I came across I scene where the "spirit" was taunting John Bell (who had only ever been called "John" up to this point, I believe) and said (and I quote): "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."What? WHAT? Are you kidding me? How does something like this get past a publisher?
—Lauren
