PRAISE FOR HIGH SPIRITS
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 ... High Spirits: A Tale of Ghostly Rapping and Romance 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"
High Spirits 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
Three brilliant sisters with a gift for showmanship captivate a nation as mediums in this true story from the years leading to the Civil War. It started as a prank on a prudish older cousin. Two adolescent sisters, Kate and Maggie Fox, convince an entire town that their house is haunted by cracking the joints of their knees, ankles and toes to create the sound of spirits rapping on the walls ... But it’s their shrewd and toughened older sister, Leah, who sees the trickery’s real potential. With Leah’s theatrics and instinct for showmanship, the girls dazzle the Eastern seaboard by holding spirit circles for some of the most celebrated senators, generals and scientists of the time ... But Maggie’s beloved, an upper-class doctor, sees through the charade and promises marriage only if she renounces her spirit-rapping. Their fraught romance underscores the tale’s thematic exploration of early American feminism. Among the Fox sister’s spiritual followers are women involved in the Seneca Falls Convention, and the story is both 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.
[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, High Spirits 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. High Spirits 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
High Spirits 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
You will find yourself in “high spirits” as you read this ghostly tale. 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
High Spirits 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, "High Spirits" 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
High Spirits 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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