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A review by roannasylver
The Mothman Prophecies by John A. Keel
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.