We Hear the Dead
Reviews
This unusual historical romance deals with a compelling subject: the true story of the infamous Fox sisters, who inadvertently began the spiritualist movement in 1848. Despite her book's length, Salerni easily holds reader interest as she describes, usually from Maggie's point of view, the inner workings of the Fox sisters' deception. As Maggie confessed in 1888, they produced loud rapping "spirit" sounds primarily through cracking their ankle and toe joints. The author focuses her story first on Maggie's conflicted feelings about her fraud, then on her romance with the famous Arctic explorer Elisha Kane, while depicting societal norms of the time through the difficulties of their unequal relationship. Ironically, history remembers Maggie Fox, while Kane, highly celebrated in his day, has been forgotten. The research is excellent, and the author displays a facility for fluid prose even as she writes in a modified archaic style that lends credence to the first-person conceit of the novel. Although the book's length may discourage some readers, those caught in the story will enjoy it. A promising debut.
Kirkus
The new teenaged hero doesn't behave as expected, and he could have a criminal record. On the other hand, she might have a skeleton in her closet, a guilty secret, or questionable motivation. Failure at the central task is entirely possible, and success may come at the cost of disturbing self-knowledge ... [We Hear the Dead] by Dianne K. Salerni stars the Fox sisters of upstate New York, originators of the mid-nineteenth century Spiritualist phenomenon. The girls fake contact with spirits by posing questions aloud and tapping answers. But newspaperman Horace Greeley believes, as does proto-feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Even First Lady Jane Pierce wants help contacting her deceased son. Celebrity Arctic explorer Elisha Kent Kane loves Maggie Fox, though occupations and a chasm between classes present towering hurdles. Both Maggie and the younger, less conflicted Kate are under the sway of much-older sister Leah, who lacks remorse for the skullduggery. Maggie’s a reluctant huckster who sees herself as a solace provider to the bereaved. “My sister may have been a trickster but my own purpose was pure.” The (anti)heroines confront threats, violence, and public humiliation.
ForeWord Magazine, November/December 2007, an excerpt from the article "The Hero Stands Accused"
The engrossing potboiler that is Maggie's life probably could not sustain four hundred pages of reader interest were it not for Salerni's equally vivid portrayal of family and friends with their own peculiar agendas: Kate, who actually convinces herself she does in fact channel the dead; Leah, under whose strict hand the family stays financially solvent; Mrs. Fox, who never catches on to her daughters' deceit; and Kane, who cannot reconcile his admiration for Maggie's daring and his obsession with respectability. Readers who avoid historical fiction as so much crinoline and teacups may find this delicious slice of scandal whets their appetite for the genre.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Despite the seeming focus on the supernatural, the novel offers much historical context and several richly developed subplots, most notably the romance between Maggie Fox and Elisha Kane. Kane was a renowned explorer, and his funeral was second in size only to that of Abraham Lincoln’s. The author’s word choices (“spectacles,” “peevishly,” “devilment,” “bedchamber”) draw readers into the past. She paints vivid scenes of life in upstate New York during a time when exposed ankles were shocking and the Underground Railroad offered a dangerous route to freedom for both conductors and slaves. Historical fiction at its best.
School Library Journal
19th century America was enthralled with the sisters,
Real foxes and tricksters of mrs. and misters.
Cracking knuckles and joints, they pretended the Dead
Were speaking aloud, "We Hear them," they said.
Never caught in the lie until love came to call
The guilt of their lives catches up with them all
Or at least with the one who stands to lose most
Is it possible to give up your life for a fake ghost?
Heather Kelly, http://wibij.blogspot.com/
Beautifully combining fact and fiction, the author perfectly captures the struggles the Fox sisters experienced as they tried to come to terms with what they were doing, and as they tried to separate their identities from their bizarre lifestyle.
Marya Jansen-Gruber, Through the Looking Glass Reviews
What amazes me most is how well Salerni, as a debut author, has taken a piece of history and created a fantastic, page-turning novel out of it ...
Salerni's wonderful historical novel not only brings the Fox sisters to life, but the dead with whom they spoke, as well.
The Fox sisters' story is the 1800's version of a video going viral and taking on a life of its own.
[We Hear the Dead] unearths a curious tale of ghostly appearances and séances, bringing unfamiliar characters from history to life. The author’s command of nineteenth century language immerses the readers in East Coast society of the late 1800’s. She unveils not only the difficulties experienced by a single young woman as she comes of age, but also the struggles endured by unmarried women attempting to make their own way in a male dominated culture.
Deborah C. Parker, Library Media Specialist, West Grove, PA
Through Salerni's storytelling, Maggie Fox becomes a heroine worth admiring. If only reading history textbooks were this exciting and interesting, the whole world would be historical scholars!
Novel Novice, www.novelnovice.com
Maggie never gave up on [Kane]; he was her "Mr. Big" if you will.
The story is as much an argument on the ethics of spiritualism and showmanship as it is the tale of three women, successful at supporting themselves but disparaged by men. The story’s lively pace and dialogue are rife with wit, and the Fox sisters are captivating. Insightful and a great deal of fun.
Kirkus Discoveries, www.kirkusdiscoveries.com
The characters are sympathetically drawn; the girls and their hapless parents, and Elisha who is not quite the dashing all-competent hero that Maggie sees at first. The background of pre-Civil War America and the various ‘isms’ in ferment are expertly done, and even better – the look at the tabloid driven celebrity culture as it existed in the 1850's is absolutely priceless.
Eloquent and beautifully written, [We Hear the Dead] is a meticulously researched story that is a pleasure to read. One comes to truly love the characters and appreciate the way that they handle their struggles. The decidedly tragic ending was worthy of a few tears and gave the reader a good reason to consider what things should take priority in a life that will always be too short.
Olivia Maruca, West Grove, PA
[We Hear the Dead] has high drama, high suspense, high romance, and high praise! Salerni knows how to engage an audience so that they won't need a bookmark!
Wisteria Leigh, The Bookworm's Dinner
[T]his is a book all about deception, all about show. Maggie's conscience bothers her. It bothers her a lot. She doesn't want to do this the rest of her life, not really, but she doesn't want to turn her back on her family AND she doesn't really know how to live without the act. Who is she without her sister? her family? She doesn't have an education. She's not rich. She's not from an upper class. Her family wouldn't even be middle class. Her act is her ticket to a better life, a classier life. Without the act, she's back to being a nobody, a nothing ...
This historical fiction novel traces the girls' adventure from its dubious inception until its entanglement in the love life of Maggie, the middle sister, with a celebrity Arctic explorer threatens to bring the house down. Dianne Salerni's writing style is very fluid and polished. This is a book most readers will enjoy from the first page to the last.
Dianne Salerni is masterful in recreating the environment that allowed Spiritualism to flourish. Her detailed portraits of the Fox sisters allow modern readers to understand how these young women were able to pull the wool over the eyes of so many ... Beautifully written, with each chapter pulling you in to the lives of the Fox sisters, [We Hear the Dead] reveals much, not only about mid-19th century America, but our own century and the importance religion plays in today’s political debate.
A magical tale of adventure with unexpected twists and turns that is sure to capture the adolescent reader. [We Hear the Dead] gives voice to enhance one’s understanding of a point in time in a lively and transparent way.
Mary Lou Liprie, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Adolescent Development, University of Delaware
[The author] must be commended for recognizing the potential of these events from the past for having the qualities of a classic tragedy and infusing the sense of visible and unavoidable doom hurtling towards them and the inability of the central characters to do nothing but meet fate with as much dignity and sense of destiny as to elevate them to heroic levels.
Onkarnath Shetty, Kolkota, India
[We Hear the Dead] is a truly spellbinding book that held my interest from the very first page. This story shows that when you believe in a dream or think that you have a special talent you can do what you want with it. The parts of the book that held my interest the most were the parts when the girls tricked people into believing them and got away with it.
Luke, age 12, a reader
By the end of the story you will feel as if you are thoroughly acquainted with every member of the Fox family. Ms. Salerni skillfully crafts her characters and I guarantee that you will find yourself chuckling and saying, “this character reminds me of …” throughout the novel. This actual true story of how Maggie and Kate Fox begin their notorious careers is fascinating and downright fun! As a reader, you will be torn between rooting for the romance between Maggie Fox and Elisha Kane, a union that will end the Fox family’s spiritualistic livelihood, and wanting Maggie to carry on with her unconventional lifestyle.
Laurie Kremer, Shawnee, Kansas
[We Hear the Dead] is a great book. It had my interest on the first page. Each time the sisters performed I was anxious to know if this time they might get caught! It was interesting to learn the tricks the spirits used to "communicate".
Amy, age 12, a reader
I was into the book, [We Hear the Dead] every minute I read. The book always had something going on. I found myself thinking about the book often when I wasn't reading it, because of all the things happening. This book was a cliffhanger.
Tori, age 12, a reader
[We Hear the Dead] is a wonderful book that will keep you guessing until the end. It is one of the best books and is addicting to read. I love this book!
Abby, age 13, a reader
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