Rating: 
Summary: Good story -- terrible writing!
Review: Although the story was good, I couldn't finish the book -- the dialogue and descriptions were written in such a stilted, flowery, obviously-staged way that the book was impossible to enjoy. There is no natural flow to the way the story is written; the author is so obviously trying to sound "early 1800s" (and nobody talked that way then anymore than they talk that way now!) that she loses her focus -- and her reader.
Rating:
Summary: Another Convenient Rendition of a Classic American Haunting
Review: Betsy Bell is a young girl growing up on a large farm in Tennessee back in the early 1800s. Like other girls of that day, Betsy enjoyed farm life and playing with her friends in the small farming community along Red River.Despite the pleasantries associated with having a large farm, Betsy Bell and her family were not happy. A force from nowhere came and played vicious pranks them, especially young Betsy and her father, John Bell. The reason was not known then, and is still not known today, thanks in part to this recent publication. "All That Lives" takes the classic tale of the Bell family's plight, which is well-documented in the anals of American history and folklore, and renders it in a very descriptive but inaccurate way--using Betsy Bell as the novel's storyteller. The book falls short in many areas, in particular the elements of historical accuracy and character development. Despite the haunting's period of several years, many characters did not change as they would have in real life. Some of the most important characters in the real story play no key role in the plot of "All That Lives." Basic facts about the people, area, and the haunting in general, which are readily available, are misstated. If such a fact, albeit background, is to be stated in a publication, it should be stated with a degree of accuracy so as to not mislead the reader. Perhaps the most startling yet predictible aspect of this publication is its finale. We see yet again where a few psychological theories are skimmed, convenient variables plugged in, and a convenient generalization is published. "All That Lives," despite its convenient finale, provides some value, however. The publication paints a vivid picture of farm life in early Tennessee, and provides readers with some decent fictional entertainment. Those seeking real and useful information about this haunting will not find anything of value here, however.
Rating: 
Summary: Engaging historical speculative fiction
Review: Early in the nineteenth century in Robertson County, Tennessee, thirteen-year-old Betsy Bell begins hearing strange tapping noises coming from inside the walls of her family home. A few days later, the poltergeist making the noise slaps Betsy in the face and pushes her down to the floor. Yet no visible manifestation is present. Not long afterward, Reverend Johnston begins a prayer session that he hopes leads to God's intervention and ultimately removal of the mute demon. However, instead of exorcising the evil essence, the Spirit begins intelligently reciting Scripture in tones that the Reverend envies. Everyone is stunned by the revelation that the invisible voice eloquently speaks scripture. As rocks fall from the sky especially at Betsy and her father, the Spirit prophesies what the future holds for the Bells if certain fatherly molestation does not halt. If a reader expects that ALL THAT LIVES is a nineteenth century Turn of the Screw or Poltergeist, they will be proven wrong. Instead the novel is more of a period piece that describes life on an 1819-1820 Tennessee farm beset by seemingly supernatural forces. The story line when looked upon as historical speculative fiction as opposed to a supernatural novel is an engaging insightful tale. However, as a supernatural or psychological suspense account of the famous Bell Witch this project falls short, but shows that Melissa Sander-self has the ability to tell a vivid story. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Excelent
Review: First off let me start out by saying that Sanders-Self is an excellent story teler and can create vivid pictures in the readers mind that will keep you into the book. Throughout the book even in sections where the plot slows down you are still kept interested by the random and interesting acts of the poltergeist. Also the characters are wonderfully developed and the only character that is kept undeveloped entirely is the poltergeist itself which adds greatly to the whole mystery of the Bell Witch. I would recommend this book to any thirsty reader looking for an excellent story adn tired of the same stores that have the same plots and same ideas. Sanders-Self brings a great many new ideas to the bok community adn i hope to see more from her soon.
Rating:
Summary: A good fictionalized revival of an old legend
Review: I first encountered the Bell Witch story when I was eight years old in the children's book Thirteen Tennessee Ghosts and Jeffrey by Kathryn Tucker Windham. The chilling account of the long-lasting incidents at the Bell family farm stuck with me all these years, and I was somewhat reluctant to risk ruining my personal imagery of the account by reading the novel by Sanders-Self. I was, however, pleasantly surprised: the book is well-researched and well-written. The author brought to life real people with real qualities - good and bad. What is most impressive is the author's ability to shed light on the supernatural entity without trivializing it or attempting to claim she understands it, either. Readers will feel the curiosity, bewilderment, anger, anguish, grief and joy that forces them - just as it forced the Bells - to constantly second-guess their understanding of the sometimes benevolent, sometimes malevalent creature. Kudos to the author for her musical and triumphant piece on such a famous and daunting subject. Surely she has added to the timelessness of the Bell family story.
Rating: 
Summary: What happened to the end of this story?
Review: I found myself very interested in these characters' story and unable to put this book down through the first half. It seemed to me that whatever point, climax or conclusion that the author may have intended was not communicated sufficiently, or else she just ran out of steam once she reached a certain point in her story. I found myself not caring what happened to the characters and forced myself through the end of it. She was obviously trying to tie the mystery of this manifestation to the abuse of a young girl, though not successfully in my estimation. Aside from the story, one thing that I felt a bit uncomfortable about was, though this is a work of fiction, she allows her readers to believe that a real historical figure was engaged in sexual abuse. I'm sure his living decendents wouldn't appreciate that conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down!
Review: I had never heard of the Bell Witch before I read Melissa Sanders-Self's novel. I could not put the book down. I loved her descriptions the time. I think the dialogue was accurate to the period. She kept me on the edge of my seat. I started the book and finished it in one sitting. After reading the novel, I did a little research on the real story. I was that interested.
Thanks Melissa Sanders-Self for an intertaining read.
Rating:
Summary: Old story has modern relevance
Review: I had never heard of the Bell Witch before reading Melissa Sanders-Self's incredible novel, but after staying up half the night to finish the book I felt I knew both the spirit and all the people it haunted intimately. The story is fascinating and the author does a wonderful job of creating memorable characters who feel like people you might actually know, even though they lived almost 200 years ago in rural Tennessee. It begins with the Betsy Bell experiencing a subtle feeling of something evil in the woods and moves quickly into a classic poltergeist situation where rocks are thrown and bedclothes ripped off and Betsy is slapped by invisible hands. From there the community gets involved and over time the powerful force develops a voice and begins to speak, telling amazing stories as well as gossip about the people in the small town of Adams. The character of the spirit is complicated, intriguing and in some ways very modern.In the final scenes Betsy struggles to understand why the spirit has tortured her and her family and the spirit explains it is the life of all that lives, it is so powerful it can not be comprehended by her simple human mind because it is so much more than human. Sanders-Self hints at several possible explanations, but ultimately the reader is allowed to decide for themselves why this mysterious haunting occured. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in what can't be explained. It will make you think and entertain you at the same time. I can't wait to read this author's next novel.
Rating:
Summary: What happened to the end of this story?
Review: I have never felt so let down by the ending of a book. The author did a great job of creating a mystery that kept me riveted, but then never offered a satisfactory explanation for the puzzling events that took place. By the time I got to the last few pages of the book, I happily anticipated a good "payoff"---a revelation that would leave me saying "Wow" but no such ending was forthcoming. There was no revelation. There was nothing. The author offered a few veiled hints along the way, but they were way too subtle and I was left with many questions that never got answered to my dismay. I felt that I had wasted my time reading this book. My advice is Don't Bother.
Rating: 
Summary: Big Build Up, Lousy Ending
Review: I have never felt so let down by the ending of a book. The author did a great job of creating a mystery that kept me riveted, but then never offered a satisfactory explanation for the puzzling events that took place. By the time I got to the last few pages of the book, I happily anticipated a good "payoff"---a revelation that would leave me saying "Wow" but no such ending was forthcoming. There was no revelation. There was nothing. The author offered a few veiled hints along the way, but they were way too subtle and I was left with many questions that never got answered to my dismay. I felt that I had wasted my time reading this book. My advice is Don't Bother.
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