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There are currently 21 member reviews
for The In-Betweens
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Amy E. (Delaware, OH)
Informative and thought provoking.
"But the truth to me is that we are God watching God." Mira gives us this thought provoking comment near the end of "The In-Betweens." Prior to that she presents a very readable history of the development of Spiritualism in America then takes us on a journey of her experiences at Camp Etna. I really enjoyed the book and her description of the service she attended was very true to my memories of the service I attended at the Spiritualist Camp at Wooley Park in Ashley, Ohio. Some things you never forget.
My one criticism of the book would be that the map of Camp Etna did not occur until Chapter 7 and it was much too small to be helpful in relating to the author's experiences.
A good read!
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Evelyn G. (Union, NJ)
Insights into Spiritualism in America
I really greatly enjoyed reading this book about the unusual subject of Spiritualism and how it began and evolved in our country starting in the mid 1840's and became a platform for women to have a heard voice . The author, Mira Ptacin, did a great deal of homework and research and writes very informatively on her subject. She covers the early beginnings, when two farm girls in upstate New York had strange tapping sounds around them and claimed a spirit, Mr. Splitfoot, was giving them messages from the "other side". The book continues with the author's experience with various psychics and mediums and explores how Spiritualism allowed women psychics to speak publicly without social censure for the first time. It was fascinating to learn that Houdini himself, went about trying to debunk the validity of Spiritualism and died exactly on Halloween as predicted by a frustrated medium, Margery, who put a curse on him for pursuing her as a false pretender. I would recommend this to anyone who wanted an information and entertaining read.
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Pau J. (Bath, ME)
Camp Etna
Overall, I found "The In-Betweens" to be an interesting and mostly well-written book. The author's interviews with the people of Camp Etna were great. She approaches with a bit of scepticism and seems open-minded.
However, I felt that Camp Etna was the main character of the story, and wasn't developed enough. I never really got a sense of place. The map included in the last chapter should have come at the beginning of the book, as well as the description of the Camp and its place in the larger communities of Spiritualism and the town of Etna.
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Kathy (ME)
Fascinating Non-fiction
I live less than two and a half hours from Camp Etna and had never heard of the community or the religion of Spiritualism before this book. Ptacin alternates between explaining the tenets of the religion, discussing the history, and sharing her encounters with current Spiritualists. I found her experiences at camp and with current Spiritualists immersive and fascinating. Ptacin engages in such activities as table tipping, aura reading, mediumship, ghost "hunting," and dowsing, and maintains an openness and willingness to engage that is refreshing. While the history of the religion, and its critics/opponents through the years, are certainly pertinent and valuable to the overall story, I wish that these sections had been pared down in favor of more current encounters. For example, there are classes offered in mediumship and it would have been fascinating to read about Ptacin's experiences with more classes as a participant rather than as a journalist (while she participated as a client, she never attempted to learn any skills outside of dowsing). Overall, this is a unique and illuminating look at a little known, and lesser understood, religion and its proponents.
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Ruth H. (Sebring, FL)
Not for the general public
This is a fact filled book about Spiritualist, not generally a topic for the common public. One can be mired down in all the titles, descriptions and explanations, if you are into this kind of thing it's great. But, if not, it can be a long, boring read. I pushed myself to finish it and was glad it was over, my brain was exhausted! I do appreciate all this info which may be useful during a game of trivia but doubtful if anyone will ask if I read this book. I wish the author much success with this book.
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Cheryl M. (Le Claire, IA)
Hhmmm...in between what?
The In-Betweens is an interesting, nonfiction book that tells three stories. First, it follows the birth and life cycle of Camp Etna, a spiritualist camp, in upstate New York and those who believed or not in mediums, spiritualists, and the after-life. Second, it tells the early story of empowering, women throughout historical times and events. And last, but not least, it tells the story of Mira Ptacin as she encounters her own truths.
Ms. Pitacin has wandered toward funeral traditions since young, while dealing with the loss of a sibling while young. Current practices often leave those grieving without satisfactory rituals to embrace this part of our life cycle. We hold a visitation followed by a funeral or memorial service and the burial to say good-bye; but is it resolved that easily? Most religions tell us that there is heavenly life after death. Do we know how it works? Can we have one last conversation with our loved ones? Can we resolve those issues left too long?
Camp Etna, with its difficulties, has survived for decades. A place mainly for women, it is filled with those seeking peace, spiritual growth, and a place where others are like them. It allowed and allows those there to be counted and heard as important and good as they are, those that sometimes connect this world and the next. From the late 1800s, these (mainly) women, were standing up for their rights and the rights of all women to be heard, to live the life they desired, to be free and counted. I rather like their premise of find your own truths or beliefs.
Although I would describe the writing as weak at times and without effective development of topics, it is an interesting, timely book. Many people will walk away from the topic of spiritual growth and communicating with the dead. Many call it malarkey or hocus pocus -- directly opposite of their mainstream religious beliefs. The smattering of tests done by Harry Houdini was certainly fun! Have you played with a Ouija Board? Gone to a palm reader? Know someone who just seemed to be able to know what was going to happen?
With an open mind, the book might just be a fun and enlightening read no matter what your beliefs. Decide for yourself.
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Mary S. (Bow, NH)
4 stars for writing; 2 stars for content pacing
I think I would describe my relationship to psychics and mediums as "curious with a healthy dose of skepticism". This book helped satisfy my curiosity and I think made me less of a skeptic - but I'm not running out to get my cards read anytime soon. Ptacin's strength is her personal interactions with the people of Camp Etna. She is intriguing, open minded and wonderfully engrossed by what she is learning, be it dousing or table tipping. I was captivated by these parts of the book and that's what kept me going to the end. Ptacin's segues into the history of Camp Etna and the religion of Spiritualism are also brilliant - seamlessly leaving the present and weaving into the past. However, it was the history parts where the book, for me, got weighed down and tedious. If you can plow through those parts, you are rewarded with another great personal interaction with a member of the Camp Etna crew. All in all, I thought it was a worthwhile read and I certainly learned a lot about Spiritualism as a religion.
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