A book that takes time to read, but I liked it.

In the tense, uneasy atmosphere of the late 1930s, the presumed medium Mrs Alma Fielding and a team of investigators headed by Nandor Fodor embark together on an exchange of experiences that become more and more twisted. To keep the interest of Fodor and his group, and presumably the fee they pay her, Alma Fielding gradually expands her scope of “psychical” manifestations, becoming bolder in the process. The investigators, as they were increasingly suspicious of being tricked, became more and more intrusive and possessive. Summerscale gives Fodor the benefit of the doubt, as he understood that his actions risked doing real harm to Mrs. Fielding.

This is less a story about a medium, her troubled personality and her tricks, than a story about the investigator, Fodor. Summerscale is kind about his efforts to seek truth in his own way, and the evolution of his beliefs, while recognising that he went too far and had to be stopped.

As history goes, this is almost a psychological novel. The events described in this book affected only a few people, but no doubt affected them deeply. ( )

well researched and interesting. the aspect that i found most intriguing was the idea that spiritualism was a way for women to get power. the psychologically tricky interactions between spiritualists and those who were attempting to investigate also was intriguing . the connection with abuse was disturbing, though may well have had merit ( )

I read this book via Pigeonhole, so thanks to them, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

It is about Alma Fielding who in the 1930’s had a number of psychical phenomena happen to her including poltergeist activity and it’s investigation by a Hungarian called Fodor who was working for the International Institute for Psychical Research.

This book was really fascinating. I was at first concerned that it would be very spooky, thankfully it wasn’t but was extremely interesting.

Fodor initially seemed to want to prove Alma’s phenomena but as the book progresses and some incidents are proven fraudulent he then changes tack.

The book covers psychology as well as the psychical events all against the backdrop of the looming World War II, and we are made aware that mediumship, sceances etc grew in popularity after WWI as people wanted to communicate with loved ones who had been lost.

Alma undertakes examination of her phenomena by Fodor and others at the institute. Her treatment in the second half of the book once Fodor is convinced that it is all fake is questionable as Alma clearly has some mental health issues. That said I think towards the end of the investigation Fodor’s own mental health is a little frayed.

Overall this was a really interesting book in an area that I would not typically read but I was pleasantly surprised at how it kept me engaged throughout its reading and would highly recommend it. ( )

This was fantastic! I would say to think of this book as more of a historical text than a scary story. If you are a fan of Rebecca or The Haunting of Hill House you will enjoy this book. ( )

Considering her troubled marriage, traumatic memories, and World War II brewing in Europe, it was no wonder that Alma Fielding was upset. The British housewife found an effective way of expressing her negative feelings--she claimed to be haunted by a boisterous poltergeist. This alleged supernatural entity threw teacups, destroyed furniture, stole jewelry from shops, hid household items and dead insects in Alma's body, and even laid on top of her in the middle of the night. Alma sought relief from all this activity at an institute for psychic research, where a dogged investigator named Nandor Fodor and his colleagues were eager to prove that Alma was the victim of a verifiable paranormal phenomenon.

It is sad when a book that holds so much potential interest turns out to be so deadly dull. That's what happened with Kate Summerscale's The Haunting of Alma Fielding. All the ingredients are in place, but the whole ends up as less than the sum of its parts. ( )