Description
They re lurking in museums, graveyards, and private homes around the world. Their stories have inspired countless horror movies, reality TV shows, campfire tales, books, and even chain emails. They re cursed objects, and in order to unleash a wave of misfortune, all they need is you. As a culture, we can t seem to get enough of cursed objects. But never before have the true stories of these infamous real-life items been compiled into a fascinating and chilling volume. Entries include: Annabelle the Doll, a Raggedy Ann doll which inspired the acclaimed horror franchise The Conjuring The Tomb of Tutankhamen, the discovery of which kicked-started media hysteria over a rumored Curse of the Pharaohs The Ring of Silvianus, a Roman artifact believed to have inspired J. R. R. Tolkien s The Hobbit The Hope Diamond, which was owned by kings and inspired the Heart of the Ocean in James Cameron s Titanic The Dybbuk Box, which was sold on eBay and inspired the horror film The Possession. Whether you believe in curses or not, the often tragic and always bizarre stories behind these objects will fascinate you. Many of them have intersected with some of the most notable events and people in history. But beyond Hollywood and beyond the hysteria, author J. W. Ocker suggests that cursed objects are simply objects which have been witness to great human tragedy, and thereafter operate as mechanisms for remembering and retelling those stories. Cursed Objects will be equally appealing to true believers as well as history buffs, horror fans, and anyone who loves a good spine-tingling tale.
An illustrated compendium that reveals the true stories behind the most infamous, creepy, and bizarre real-life cursed objects throughout history. Spanning decades and continents, subjects range from the opulent Hope Diamond to the humble Busy Stoop chair.
About the Author
J. W. (Jason) Ocker is an Edgar Award winning travel writer, novelist, and blogger. His book Poe-Land: The Hallowed Haunts of Edgar Allan Poe was nominated for an Anthony Award and won the 2015 Edgar Award for Best Critical/Biography. His other books include The New England Grimpendium and The New York Grimpendium, each of which won a Lowell Thomas Award from the American Society of Travel Writers, and A Season with the Witch: The Magic and Mayhem of Halloween in Salem, all published by Countryman Press/W.W. Norton. He s the author of the novels Death and Douglas (Sky Pony) and Twelve Nights at Rotter House (Turner). He is also the creator of OTIS: Odd Things I ve Seen (oddthingsiveseen.com), where he chronicles his visits to thousands of oddities of culture, art, nature, and history across world. His writing can be found in the Boston Globe, CNN, The Atlantic, Atlas Obscura, The Guardian, and more.
Reviews
"This book is so fun that I couldn't put it down. It reminded me that life is short, death is nigh and a little humor can help us seize the day just as well as a memento mori."-The New York Times
"A visual feast of a book...this eye-catching miscellany is perfect for anyone who wants a treasure chest of weird trivia to peruse."-Bustle
"Well researched....The entry about the Black Aggie statue in Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, Maryland, is especially chilling....The only question that remains is, who is courageous enough to brave the myriad scary (and true) stories within?"-Memphis Flyer
"I loved J. W. Ocker's Cursed Objects! This cabinet of cursed curiosities is insanely entertaining and dangerously informative, but be forewarned: you may be cursed with reading it late into the night once you open it."-Lisa Morton, author of Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances and Ghosts: A Haunted History
"A deliciously scary and entertaining look into the spooky stuff of nightmares. Through rich histories, adorably macabre illustrations, and a modicum of hilarity, this book will entrance readers until the last page-if you survive that long!"-Lydia Kang, author of Quackery
"You don't have to believe in magic to love the stories surrounding these cursed objects. From weresheep, to frozen mummies, to my favorite - the chapters on horrifying objects that have no right to NOT be cursed, J. W. Ocker's Cursed Objects is a delightful overview of all things cursed."-Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura
"Anyone who shares a smidge of his passion for the peculiar will want to buy a copy for themselves and one to give away."-New Hampshire Magazine
"An inherently fascinating, informative, and thought-provoking read from cover to cover."-Midwest Book Review
"If you're like me and want it to always be spooky season, this is a book for you."-Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
"Ocker is a solid writer who offers a campfire-tale mystique to his prose."-Hollywood Soapbox
Book Information
ISBN 9781683692362
Author J. W. Ocker
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Quirk Books
Publisher Quirk Books
An illustrated compendium that reveals the true stories behind the most infamous, creepy, and bizarre real-life cursed objects throughout history. Spanning decades and continents, subjects range from the opulent Hope Diamond to the humble Busy Stoop chair.
About the Author
J. W. (Jason) Ocker is an Edgar Award winning travel writer, novelist, and blogger. His book Poe-Land: The Hallowed Haunts of Edgar Allan Poe was nominated for an Anthony Award and won the 2015 Edgar Award for Best Critical/Biography. His other books include The New England Grimpendium and The New York Grimpendium, each of which won a Lowell Thomas Award from the American Society of Travel Writers, and A Season with the Witch: The Magic and Mayhem of Halloween in Salem, all published by Countryman Press/W.W. Norton. He s the author of the novels Death and Douglas (Sky Pony) and Twelve Nights at Rotter House (Turner). He is also the creator of OTIS: Odd Things I ve Seen (oddthingsiveseen.com), where he chronicles his visits to thousands of oddities of culture, art, nature, and history across world. His writing can be found in the Boston Globe, CNN, The Atlantic, Atlas Obscura, The Guardian, and more.
Reviews
"This book is so fun that I couldn't put it down. It reminded me that life is short, death is nigh and a little humor can help us seize the day just as well as a memento mori."-The New York Times
"A visual feast of a book...this eye-catching miscellany is perfect for anyone who wants a treasure chest of weird trivia to peruse."-Bustle
"Well researched....The entry about the Black Aggie statue in Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, Maryland, is especially chilling....The only question that remains is, who is courageous enough to brave the myriad scary (and true) stories within?"-Memphis Flyer
"I loved J. W. Ocker's Cursed Objects! This cabinet of cursed curiosities is insanely entertaining and dangerously informative, but be forewarned: you may be cursed with reading it late into the night once you open it."-Lisa Morton, author of Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances and Ghosts: A Haunted History
"A deliciously scary and entertaining look into the spooky stuff of nightmares. Through rich histories, adorably macabre illustrations, and a modicum of hilarity, this book will entrance readers until the last page-if you survive that long!"-Lydia Kang, author of Quackery
"You don't have to believe in magic to love the stories surrounding these cursed objects. From weresheep, to frozen mummies, to my favorite - the chapters on horrifying objects that have no right to NOT be cursed, J. W. Ocker's Cursed Objects is a delightful overview of all things cursed."-Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura
"Anyone who shares a smidge of his passion for the peculiar will want to buy a copy for themselves and one to give away."-New Hampshire Magazine
"An inherently fascinating, informative, and thought-provoking read from cover to cover."-Midwest Book Review
"If you're like me and want it to always be spooky season, this is a book for you."-Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
"Ocker is a solid writer who offers a campfire-tale mystique to his prose."-Hollywood Soapbox
Book Information
ISBN 9781683692362
Author J. W. Ocker
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Quirk Books
Publisher Quirk Books
