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skarijay's review
4.0
Highly interesting, but the timeline seemed at least a little disjointed. It had more about Men in Black phenomena and touched only a little on the Mothman and the bridge collapse, but expanded a lot on more interesting, lesser spoken about topics. Towards the end of the book the writing gets a little more frantic, it seems, and the theories more elaborate, but it was mostly engrossing all the way through.
jobustitch's review
4.0
My husband gave me this book to read and I have to admit that I was wholly sucked in after the first chapter. Quick read, and the story was spooky.
roannasylver's review
4.0
Not much I didn’t know, but still good to read a seminal classic in detail, and I see why it’s considered required reading for any serious Weird Shit Enthusiasts (tm). Since everything’s been covered over the past 60 years, the following note is just for friends who may read this/people following my reviews.
Given that this book is from 1967 originally, it’s full of some Very dated racial terms (not considered slurs for the time, I don’t think, but absolutely not anything you’d call someone now), which is kind of expected for a book this old but still worth knowing going in. I don’t think they’re being used maliciously, but it’s still quite jarring to hear (I had the audiobook). Also John Keel spends several chapters kind of debunking various claims/dragging “True Believers” and it really seems more like he’s going SEE I’M A *REASONABLE* UFOLOGIST, NOT LIKE THESE NUTCASES OVER HERE (he gets into mass hysteria and hypnosis theories that I’m sure DO explain a good chunk of experiences, but the tone of it just kind of bothers me bc he’s calling people kooks and gullible and i’m like look at yourself my dude you’re writing a book about the mothman you do not have the high ground here, and also these people are YOUR FANS, so like. Stop.)
...I may have more thoughts later. But it is 4:30 am on a Tuesday. And I have just finished this book. That should tell you about all you need to know about me.
Given that this book is from 1967 originally, it’s full of some Very dated racial terms (not considered slurs for the time, I don’t think, but absolutely not anything you’d call someone now), which is kind of expected for a book this old but still worth knowing going in. I don’t think they’re being used maliciously, but it’s still quite jarring to hear (I had the audiobook). Also John Keel spends several chapters kind of debunking various claims/dragging “True Believers” and it really seems more like he’s going SEE I’M A *REASONABLE* UFOLOGIST, NOT LIKE THESE NUTCASES OVER HERE (he gets into mass hysteria and hypnosis theories that I’m sure DO explain a good chunk of experiences, but the tone of it just kind of bothers me bc he’s calling people kooks and gullible and i’m like look at yourself my dude you’re writing a book about the mothman you do not have the high ground here, and also these people are YOUR FANS, so like. Stop.)
...I may have more thoughts later. But it is 4:30 am on a Tuesday. And I have just finished this book. That should tell you about all you need to know about me.
ekw0036's review
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Lil disappointed it’s not more about mothman though I do believe 100% John keel was being stalked
hawlaye's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
As a tinfoil head, I loved this book! Unless you're a big conspiracy nerd, you will not enjoy this novel.
The Mothman Prophecies by John A. Keel is a collection of stories and experiences surrounding a town in the US known as Point Pleasant, home of the Mothman!
This novel was chaotic in structure and often did not follow a linear timeline, which has me confused for some parts. It's also important to note that this novel is not actually a story about mothman, but a collection of stories, with only a handful that feature our 7ft tall, red eyed cryptoid. Keel focuses on many stories of UFO's, aliens, MIB, shady government business within this novel, with Point Pleasant as the focal point.
Regardless of the misconceiving title and the chaotic structure, I loved this novel. I'm also extremely biased because I'm a huge tinfoil hat and I was in my element reading this book. This book had me questioning everything!
Do I believe in mothman and his appearances forewarning a massive tradgedy? Of course I do, who wouldn't?
The Mothman Prophecies by John A. Keel is a collection of stories and experiences surrounding a town in the US known as Point Pleasant, home of the Mothman!
This novel was chaotic in structure and often did not follow a linear timeline, which has me confused for some parts. It's also important to note that this novel is not actually a story about mothman, but a collection of stories, with only a handful that feature our 7ft tall, red eyed cryptoid. Keel focuses on many stories of UFO's, aliens, MIB, shady government business within this novel, with Point Pleasant as the focal point.
Regardless of the misconceiving title and the chaotic structure, I loved this novel. I'm also extremely biased because I'm a huge tinfoil hat and I was in my element reading this book. This book had me questioning everything!
Do I believe in mothman and his appearances forewarning a massive tradgedy? Of course I do, who wouldn't?
tirabeesu's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
john keel is a good writer with a nice sense of intermittent wit. however towards the end its like oof, man, this life super drove you crazy, huh? you definitely have some problems someone should have helped you with huh. oof.
doritobabe's review
3.0
3.5/5
This book automatically loses one star because it is deceiving: it is not really about the mothman prophecies at all. At least, not to the extent I was expecting.
Entertaining read that barely holds its own. Much of Keel's claims are historically erroneous and his narcissism gets to be quite tedious after awhile. Additionally, I only found it to be scary during a small section of the text and this is due to the tendency of the author to bounce around a lot during his writing.
This book automatically loses one star because it is deceiving: it is not really about the mothman prophecies at all. At least, not to the extent I was expecting.
Entertaining read that barely holds its own. Much of Keel's claims are historically erroneous and his narcissism gets to be quite tedious after awhile. Additionally, I only found it to be scary during a small section of the text and this is due to the tendency of the author to bounce around a lot during his writing.