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7 reviews for:
The Mystery of Spring-Heeled Jack: From Victorian Legend to Steampunk Hero
John Matthews
3.15 AVERAGE
7 reviews for:
The Mystery of Spring-Heeled Jack: From Victorian Legend to Steampunk Hero
John Matthews
3.15 AVERAGE
Disclaimer: ARC courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Spring –Heeled Jack is enjoying something of resurgence, in part thanks to the rise of Steampunk. And if anyone was made for Steampunk, it is Spring-Heeled Jack. If you don’t know, Jack was one of those mysteries that were never solved, but does get over-shadowed by Jack the Ripper. Jack made his first appearance in 1837; he had fire and could jump very high. He was busy in London, but eventually branched out.
John Matthews traces the history of Spring-Heeled Jack in this book. He doesn’t attempt really to solve the mystery, more to enlighten the reader about the origins of the story as well as its use in current fiction.
In discussing the origins of Jack, Matthews quotes at great length from firsthand accounts and newspaper reports. He also makes links to other famous stalkers, such as the London Monster and Jack the Ripper. The use of the firsthand accounts allows the reader to form an opinion or an idea before Matthews presents more information.
Matthews links the folk character to Robin Hood and the Green Man. While I am not sure I entirely agree, it does give one food for thought and a compelling argument is presented. There is also a connection to the Punch and Judy shows which is even stronger.
The weakest part of the book was the part dealing with the modern Steampunk era. Too much of this section is devoted to a very an overly detailed summery of a radio program that sounds interesting, but why should I listen to it know when I know what is going to happen. I also found it strange that Heart of Iron by Ekaterina Sedia was not mentioned.
Still, a very in depth look at a legend, and a much needed look at that.
Spring –Heeled Jack is enjoying something of resurgence, in part thanks to the rise of Steampunk. And if anyone was made for Steampunk, it is Spring-Heeled Jack. If you don’t know, Jack was one of those mysteries that were never solved, but does get over-shadowed by Jack the Ripper. Jack made his first appearance in 1837; he had fire and could jump very high. He was busy in London, but eventually branched out.
John Matthews traces the history of Spring-Heeled Jack in this book. He doesn’t attempt really to solve the mystery, more to enlighten the reader about the origins of the story as well as its use in current fiction.
In discussing the origins of Jack, Matthews quotes at great length from firsthand accounts and newspaper reports. He also makes links to other famous stalkers, such as the London Monster and Jack the Ripper. The use of the firsthand accounts allows the reader to form an opinion or an idea before Matthews presents more information.
Matthews links the folk character to Robin Hood and the Green Man. While I am not sure I entirely agree, it does give one food for thought and a compelling argument is presented. There is also a connection to the Punch and Judy shows which is even stronger.
The weakest part of the book was the part dealing with the modern Steampunk era. Too much of this section is devoted to a very an overly detailed summery of a radio program that sounds interesting, but why should I listen to it know when I know what is going to happen. I also found it strange that Heart of Iron by Ekaterina Sedia was not mentioned.
Still, a very in depth look at a legend, and a much needed look at that.
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Spring-Heeled Jack, described by many as a tall, thin, bounding figure with bat-like wings, clawed hands, wheels of fire for eyes, first caught the public's attention in Victorian London in 1838.
Sightings of this strange and terrifying character quickly spread, yet this strange and diabolical figure was never captured.
Exploring the many legends surrounding this figure, Author John Matthews explains how the Victorian fascination with strange phenomena enabled Spring-Heeled Jack to become the thing of urban legend.
"On October 4, 1888, police investigating the notorious Ripper murders in London received a letter. It was one of several purporting to be from the killer, but this one was different. It was signed “Spring-Heeled Jack -The Whitechapel Murderer."
This was an interesting little read. It was fascinating to see how hearsay and hysteria by newspapers could have such an effect on the populace. The author uses a lot of newspaper articles from the time, along with witness statements to paint a picture of the Victorian fascination of all things "scary and unexplainable."
The author traces the history from the first glimpse of Spring Heeled Jack right up to the present day Steampunk era. Linking the myth with such Pop Culture figures as Robin Hood, Green Man, and even Punch and Judy.
As I said, I found this interesting for the most part. The early information and newspaper articles being the most fascinating for me. The Steampunk stuff was a bit boring, and I struggled through that part. Overall though, a pretty decent read.
Spring –Heeled Jack is an unsolved mystery from the Victorian era. He began by going around and scaring woman at night in the country around London. He was described in various different ways, but by out accounts he could jump quite high and had claws or metal. Although his identity was never learned he became the boogeyman for children in the mid 1800s.
In this book, the author tells the history of this character and how he has stayed relevant in pop-culture. He uses a lot of newspaper articles, witness statements, and quotes. He attempts to just tell the story, not to solve the mystery.
As to the pop-culture references, he links Jack to a variety of characters, such as Punch and Judy, The Green Man, and Robin Hood. It seemed like quite a stretch to me, but it is interesting none the less. He also touches on Spring-Heeled Jack in the modern Steampunk culture. He is especially a good fit for this type of story. I really like steampunk, so I found this part very interesting.
I would recommend this book to history and pop-culture enthusiasts, not to mystery buffs. It was a very enlightening read.
* I voluntarily and honestly reviewed an Advance Copy of this book *
In this book, the author tells the history of this character and how he has stayed relevant in pop-culture. He uses a lot of newspaper articles, witness statements, and quotes. He attempts to just tell the story, not to solve the mystery.
As to the pop-culture references, he links Jack to a variety of characters, such as Punch and Judy, The Green Man, and Robin Hood. It seemed like quite a stretch to me, but it is interesting none the less. He also touches on Spring-Heeled Jack in the modern Steampunk culture. He is especially a good fit for this type of story. I really like steampunk, so I found this part very interesting.
I would recommend this book to history and pop-culture enthusiasts, not to mystery buffs. It was a very enlightening read.
* I voluntarily and honestly reviewed an Advance Copy of this book *
Spring-Heeled Jack, described by many as a tall, thin, bounding figure with bat-like wings, clawed hands, wheels of fire for eyes, first caught the public's attention in Victorian London in 1838.
Sightings of this strange and terrifying character quickly spread, yet this strange and diabolical figure was never captured.
Exploring the many legends surrounding this figure, Author John Matthews explains how the Victorian fascination with strange phenomena enabled Spring-Heeled Jack to become the thing of urban legend.
"On October 4, 1888, police investigating the notorious Ripper murders in London received a letter. It was one of several purporting to be from the killer, but this one was different. It was signed “Spring-Heeled Jack -The Whitechapel Murderer."
This was an interesting little read. It was fascinating to see how hearsay and hysteria by newspapers could have such an effect on the populace. The author uses a lot of newspaper articles from the time, along with witness statements to paint a picture of the Victorian fascination of all things "scary and unexplainable."
The author traces the history from the first glimpse of Spring Heeled Jack right up to the present day Steampunk era. Linking the myth with such Pop Culture figures as Robin Hood, Green Man, and even Punch and Judy.
As I said, I found this interesting for the most part. The early information and newspaper articles being the most fascinating for me. The Steampunk stuff was a bit boring, and I struggled through that part. Overall though, a pretty decent read.
Spring-Heeled Jack, described by many as a tall, thin, bounding figure with bat-like wings, clawed hands, wheels of fire for eyes, first caught the public's attention in Victorian London in 1838.
Sightings of this strange and terrifying character quickly spread, yet this strange and diabolical figure was never captured.
Exploring the many legends surrounding this figure, Author John Matthews explains how the Victorian fascination with strange phenomena enabled Spring-Heeled Jack to become the thing of urban legend.
"On October 4, 1888, police investigating the notorious Ripper murders in London received a letter. It was one of several purporting to be from the killer, but this one was different. It was signed “Spring-Heeled Jack -The Whitechapel Murderer."
This was an interesting little read. It was fascinating to see how hearsay and hysteria by newspapers could have such an effect on the populace. The author uses a lot of newspaper articles from the time, along with witness statements to paint a picture of the Victorian fascination of all things "scary and unexplainable."
The author traces the history from the first glimpse of Spring Heeled Jack right up to the present day Steampunk era. Linking the myth with such Pop Culture figures as Robin Hood, Green Man, and even Punch and Judy.
As I said, I found this interesting for the most part. The early information and newspaper articles being the most fascinating for me. The Steampunk stuff was a bit boring, and I struggled through that part. Overall though, a pretty decent read.