Thank you for the advanced reader copy of American Spirits!

As someone who does not read a lot of non-fiction, I was a little afraid for how this novel would read about the Fox Sisters. American Spirits is a book I would recommend to those who are new to the genre or who want something to easily follow. We seamlessly switch from being an active participant in the conversations to addressing historical aspects of their lives. Often times it would feel like you were listening to a fiction novel with how Barb wrote about the sisters.

American Spirits by Barb Rosenstock totally surprised me—in the best way. I usually approach nonfiction like I do a lukewarm cup of tea: politely, skeptically, and ready to abandon it for something more exciting. But I got an advanced audiobook copy through NetGalley and Astra Publishing, and after reading the blurb about séances and spiritualism, I figured I’d give it a shot. By chapter three, I was in. Like, fully in. I may have even Googled “Fox sisters real?” halfway through.

I’d never heard of the Fox sisters before, which is wild considering they basically sparked an entire movement of table-knocking, ghost-whispering spiritualists in 1800s America. The book starts a little cluttered—lots of names and people flying at you—but once the dust settles, it becomes a fascinating, fast-paced ride. The chapters are bite-sized and super easy to listen to (or read, if that’s your thing). And while it’s technically marketed toward teens, it’s got enough depth and grit for adults too—especially those of us who appreciate a good “girls just trying to hustle while the 1800s aggressively 1800s at them” story.

There’s a lot packed in here: class struggles, questionable romance, addiction, heartbreak, ambition, and the blurred line between belief and performance. I loved the portrayal of Maggie, especially her complicated love life with Elijah and the very relatable theme of “ugh, men.” The sisters’ rise and fall is tragic but told with sharpness and care, and it never feels preachy or dry. It’s more like listening to a smart friend who knows how to gossip historically.

All in all, American Spirits is perfect for readers who like a dash of the supernatural in their history, or anyone curious about the strange, scrappy women who made waves in Civil War-era America. Highly recommend—even if you think nonfiction isn’t your thing. Turns out, sometimes the ghost stories are real. Or are they?

So the bits you can cite were good, though over all the book could stand to be more unbiased. Also author makes a couple of weird contradictory comments in the afterword. Either she doesn't believe the girls could become talented magicians before becoming famous (has she ever MET a kid in their tweens / early teens? and aren't young readers going to be insulted by that? They should be!), or "magicians are scientists". This leads to "these girls couldn't have been scientists" and... I may be an adult but I am insulted by that, actually.

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American Spirit by Barb, in my opinion, reads like historical fiction with paranormal elements. This is about two daughters, Kate and Maggie, who soon discovered they could communicate with a spirit that was making uncanny noises; he told them he had been a traveling peddler who had been murdered. This strange incident, and those that followed, generated a media frenzy beyond anything the Fox sisters could have imagined. Kate and Maggie, managed (or perhaps manipulated) by their older sister, Leah, became famous spirit mediums, giving public exhibitions and advising other celebrities of their day.

This was just an okay read for me; it kind of dragged a little. But it's a good read for teens and young adults, which is how the book is advertised. It just wasn't for me.

The audiobook was good; the narrator did a good job. It was easy to listen to and understand. I listened at 2x speed, increasing to 2.5x speed at about the 60% mark.

Thank you, NetGalley, and RB Media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.