Part travelogue, part American history lesson, party literary critique, HAUNTED STATES explores how regional history, trauma, and culture contributed to the development of the Gothic in the United States.

As someone who grew up reading more "classic" Gothic literature and has started to dive into Southern Gothic writing, I was really excited to better understand how the Gothic has been developed in the U.S., especially considering how diverse our regions are. I was extra intrigued that this book is essentially a travelogue recounting the writer's road trip across the U.S. I love travel writing and was delighted as much by her descriptions of the towns and people she encountered as by her analysis of films and novels.

The book is broken up into four chapters/regions: New England, the South, the West, and California. Personally, as a Midwesterner, I was disappointed that Midwestern Gothic got so little attention in this book (just a tiny bit in the Epilogue), though I understand that she couldn't cover the *entire* U.S. The areas she did focus on, though, were immensely interesting. I loved reading about hauntings in New England, the undead in the South, cults in California, and especially loved reading about how the effects of the atomic bomb and fears around nuclear war fueled Gothic writing in the West. If nothing else, this book has made me want to travel the U.S. more, exploring areas I maybe would never had considered or discovered on my own.

I do second other reviewers, though, that I felt like we were missing out on some opportunities with this book. In addition to completely ignoring the entire Midwest--which is rife with all kinds of Gothic influence--there were other stories that felt they should have a place here. Other reviewers noted that Corcoran spoke about the Indigenous populations but didn't dedicate any conversation or analysis to the incredibly fruitful genre of Indigenous horror writing which, if anything, is only growing year by year. This is perhaps a personal preference, too, but the latter half of the book felt very film-centric. Obviously, Hollywood has a huge connection to California, but it felt amiss to not have some literature for balance.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It sparked a further interest in the topic and has fostered a new appreciation for my country's history. I would recommend this book to anyone interesting in travel writing, literary/film analysis, and American history -- or folks who are just looking for spooky travel destinations! I look forward to reading more of her work.

Thanks to NetGallery and Repeater Books for this eARC!

Irish author Miranda Corcoran sets out to traverse the United States and explore the myriad guises which the supernatural takes across the disparate regions of the country. The resulting book is a unique combination of travel writing, history and cultural analysis, as Corcoran draws lines between the unique geography, history and culture of each region and how this has manifested - from spiritualism and witchcraft in the North East to vampires and voodoo in the Deep South and aliens and mutants in the South West.

Corcoran writes that 'The American Gothic is metamorphic, moulding itself to the contours of history and topography.' For example, she posits how the North Eastern fear of witchcraft and Satan reflected the fragility of their newly-established settlements, carved out of a dense, unknowable wilderness and threatened by rightfully hostile indigenous people. She poses questions which encourage the reader to interrogate their own understanding, questions, such as what is it about the Salem witch trials that has made them such an important, much discussed series of events, when similar atrocities have been lost to history?

Haunted States hghlights forgotten chapters in American history and the hypocrisy of America's ideas of itself - the 'Land of the Free' which has equality enshrined in its constitution but which was founded by slave owners and is still riddled with systemic racism and inequality. Corcoran's non-US perspective means that she does not shy away from criticising domestic policy which has been consistently prejudiced against non-white Americans, and she is unafraid to confront the atrocities perpetrated by the US government at home and abroad.

Corcoran's descriptions evoke not only the present day of the places she visits but also their pasts; an early chapter on Niagara Falls is particularly memorable. Rather than focusing purely on the most common meaning of 'haunted' - to be harassed or harmed by malevolent, inhuman beings - she muses on other interpretations, such as being
haunted by a vanished past and an unrealised future. The fact that she travels exclusively on public transport and stays mostly in locally-run motels and guest houses makes Corcoran's descriptions and observations feel more authentic; she has immersed herself in the places she visits in order to get a true sense of them. I appreciated how she captured the diversity of America not just in its supernatural lore but in its biomes, history, culture and demographics as well.

Furthermore, if anyone were to pick up this book expecting a pulpy, sensationalised collection of ghost and monster stories, they might also be surprised by the academic rigour with which Corcoran approaches her subject, drawing on real life events but also cinema, art and literature and examining how the manifestations manifest themselves in culture in all its forms. The language is at times gorgeously verbose. 'If travel is dynamic, emblematic of perpetual change and renewal,' Corcoran writes, 'then surely this runs counter to the Gothic's preoccupation with the oppressive weight of history,' noting an inherent contradiction in her project which may well otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Haunted States is not a perfect book: some chapters feel overly long and it sags in the middle under the weight of repetitive descriptions of the Deep South's swamps, but overall it is a fascinating, ambitious and original book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Repeater Books for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great book. Creative idea that blends some legend along with fact. Has a creepy factor to it. Well researched and definitely worth reading. Makes you want to go on a road trip!

**Review: *Haunted States: An American Gothic Guidebook* by Miranda Corcoran – A Thought-Provoking but Uneven Journey**

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.4/5)

Miranda Corcoran’s *Haunted States* is an ambitious blend of travelogue, history, and cultural criticism, aiming to uncover the eerie undercurrents of America’s past and how they continue to shape its national identity. While the book is undeniably well-researched and engaging in parts, it occasionally struggles with pacing, repetitiveness, and a lack of depth in certain areas, making it a fascinating but sometimes frustrating read.

Structured as a journey across the United States, *Haunted States* explores how different regions—from New England’s witch trials to the Deep South’s haunted plantations and the atomic anxieties of the West—have influenced the nation’s Gothic literature and horror cinema. Corcoran’s approach is refreshingly analytical, connecting real historical horrors, such as slavery and genocide, with the ghost stories and supernatural legends that have persisted in American culture. Her status as an outsider (an Irish academic traveling the U.S. by train and bus) offers fresh and sometimes humorous insights into how Americans engage with their own haunted past.

The book shines when Corcoran delves into specific historical and literary connections. Her discussion of Salem’s complicated relationship with its own dark history, the Southern Gothic’s deep ties to racial trauma, and the eerie landscapes of the West as incubators of nuclear-age horror are compelling and well-articulated. She effectively draws connections between place, history, and fiction, making a strong case for how the American Gothic is shaped by its physical and psychological landscapes.

However, the book has its shortcomings. Despite its rich themes, some sections feel underdeveloped—particularly in its treatment of Indigenous horror and non-white voices in Gothic literature. Corcoran acknowledges the brutal colonial history of America, but the Indigenous perspective often feels sidelined, reduced to historical context rather than being fully explored as a continuing part of American horror narratives. Similarly, while she touches on the role of Black literature and folklore, much of the book’s analysis still centers on white authors and filmmakers. Given her clear awareness of these issues, it feels like a missed opportunity to engage more deeply with diverse voices.

Additionally, the pacing can be uneven. Some chapters are immersive and atmospheric, while others feel padded with unnecessary repetition, restating key themes multiple times. The Midwest section, for example, feels noticeably shorter and less developed compared to the more detailed examinations of the East and South. There are also moments where Corcoran’s writing, while engaging, leans into overly academic analysis, making certain sections denser than they need to be for a general audience.

**Final Verdict:** *Haunted States* is an intriguing read that offers a fresh and intelligent take on the American Gothic, blending personal travel experience with historical and literary criticism. While it succeeds in highlighting how history continues to haunt the nation, its occasional lack of balance and depth in key areas keeps it from being a definitive work. If you’re a fan of Gothic literature, horror history, or cultural analysis, this is still worth reading—but adjust your expectations accordingly.

Informative, entertaining, with the right level of creepiness
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a really fascinating collection and a great spooky time, although dealing with hard topics and reckoning with the darkest pockets of American lore and culture. Corcoran’s book is effortlessly readable, rich in atmosphere and meticulously researched. I highly recommend this one for anyone who enjoys horror, travel literature and cultural criticism.

I built a house on a piece of land in a city where there was no history of other homes being built. It was a weird feeling, because it felt like there was no history there, where most of the US is full of stories and ghosts. Corcoran knows how to find the record of these ghosts, Corcoran is a great researcher and she combines lore with personal experience and interviews to portray the underbelly of the land, going to several unique places in the country. This is a fun book for anyone who loves history or ghosts or travel memories. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

This book is a fascinating mix of travel guide, history, and pop culture analysis, exploring how the eerie side of America’s past lingers in its landscapes. As she journeys across the country, she connects real historical events - such as witch trials and colonial violence -to the Gothic stories and horror films they’ve inspired. The book is engaging and thought-provoking, showing how history and folklore shape the way we see different places. Whether you love spooky stories, cultural history, or just exploring the darker side of America, this is a great read.

Corcoran has such a wonderful, poetic way of describing each American state she visited. She had a real understanding of the areas, the people, customs, the past, and stories within. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. Corcoran's will and determination and patience to engage with people and hear their stories - past and present was truly what made the book so readable. It gave such an insight into an America we wouldn't usually see or hear about. Haunted States shows how entwined the past and the present are. With ghosts, the uncanny, being the connection between now and an, at times, uncomfortable past. I recommend this book to everyone, it won't disappoint. A well deserved 4 stars.

HAUNTED STATES by Miranda Corcoran is a travel journal through the US and finding the deeply dark and mostly horrifying history of the US. She connects it to film, history, and social issues in a way that feels uniquely fresh and terrifying.

I particularly loved the section following the southern US through Texas for all the personal reasons. My family is buried in cemeteries between Mobile, New Orleans, and east Texas, so it felt quit eerily cozy to read about the conditions in these places where my own problematic heritage lies. Seeing these places through the eyes of someone from Ireland was also quite intriguing, especially the social aspects of travel and life in the deep south.

Corcoran's writing is deeply rich, very much living up to the gothic vibe of the whole book. The way she describes details as simple as the heat she's feeling or the state of the world in the 1970s is fascinating. I found myself drawn into every word, wanting to marinade in the environment that she was experiences that is familiar to me, yet a complete stranger through her eyes.

The book is very knowledge and it's obvious the amount of care and research that went into it. Corcoran handles sensitive topics with a level of care that respectful and intimate.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't quite it for me. This was my first foray into travelogue genre, so maybe the genre isn't for me.

From the description, I thought it would be right up my street, but unfortunately, it read more like a travel diary, which could get bogged down and distracted by descriptions and the minutiae of America, veering slightly off topic. At times, I even forgot that the topic of interest was to explore the haunted sites throughout the States, but the writing was very strong and does encourage you to look at horror outside of the normal lens of being lowbrow gore.

The book was immensely well written, and the author's research was thorough, but sadly, I got a bit bored as the book progressed. The introduction was incredibly strong, and the cultural reflection at points was very interesting.

I would definitely consider exploring future works by the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Repeater Books for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't for me, the description sounded amazing! i Ghost tour around America! However i found it to be boring and more a personal tour rather than the highlight being the haunted sites themselves. If the author produces another book i would defiantly give it another go but this one fell flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

Haunted States is well-written and full of information, however — a majority of the book’s delivery bored me. There were certain moments I found myself fully invested, while others made me excited to just be done with it.

This was a unique read, different from anything else I've read. Leading the reader across the expanse of the United States while exploring supernatural folklore was supremely engaging. Anyone not interested in ghost stories or dark histories and cultures will probably not be a huge fan of this guidebook. Overall I found the writing compelling and enjoyed the journey across the country.

This was a really interesting read! There are so many road trip style books and so many haunted America books but this really focuses on areas that are haunted not just buildings. Have you ever thought of the desert as being haunted? It's a really unique perspective and I thought it was a great read.

If you're looking for a book that delves into the most chilling myths and darkest folklore of the United States, this is NOT the one for you.

Despite its title, Haunted States is not so much a journey through the horrors of the world's most haunted country as it is a cultural reflection on why America harbors so many ghosts and skeletons in its closet.

During her journey across the United States, Irish writer Miranda Corcoran (a background that lends her significant authority on ghosts and spirits) embarks on a wide-ranging exploration of the nature of the fears and horrors that permeate American culture. Some of these fears are imported from old Europe, of course, but most stem from a highly complex historical legacy and an equally complex, layered society that is still evolving today.

Overall, the book is slow and, at times, tedious: there are many digressions from the main theme, consisting of mere descriptions of America as it is (though, to some, that alone might seem terrifying). However, here and there, the author's insights prove illuminating, revealing the deep roots of fear and discomfort in our societies—even the most modern ones.

Considering that horror culture is often undervalued, regarded as lowbrow or associated solely with gore and sensationalism, lacking any deeper significance, books like this prompt reflection on the origins of fear and its moral, spiritual, intellectual, and societal expressions.

Discovering these small gems of insight may make it worth reading a text that is expansive and occasionally somewhat unfocused.

Thank you to Miranda Corcoran, Repeater Books, and Netgalley for the ARC!

This part travelogue part cultural criticism written from the perspective of an Irish academic taught me so much about the eerie underbelly of my own country. Her journey through the US along with it's corresponding legends, folklore, true crime, and references in media was so fascinating. The descriptions of the changing landscapes and cultures of different regions of the United States also reminded me just how diverse and unique our country is. I think Corcoran's position as an outsider (and someone who doesn't drive- having to use our shoddy public transport to travel) lends to some really distinct and interesting commentaries and connections in this way. It's critical at times yes, but it's not without a lot of thought and what is clearly very conscious and thoughtful observations. The American Gothic is intrinsically tied with the past and the reality our own imaginations of American history and values. That is, a history of violence and oppression. However, the inclusion of beloved books and movies that have come out of this ideal highlight insightful responses to what is both wrong with our country and usually unidentifiable or hard to articulate. It's an incredibly refreshing take on our ideas of "haunted", and an essential read for anyone interested in American history and how it influences horror.

.Through a mix of interviews, travel experiences, and historical and cultural insights, Miranda Corcoran explores this Gothic landscape not as a believer in all things supernatural but as someone fascinated by its social and political significance, arguing that these monsters and ghosts reflect their place and time and carry with them their local histories and cultural tensions, which change as we travel from the verdant woods of New England to the oppressive swamps of the South.

The American Gothic, she proposes, isn't just a literary genre but a lens through which we confront the silent truths of our collective past.

But what if the Gothic isn’t just about horror and despair, but also a means for subversion and joy? Perhaps these monsters can teach us to resist, laugh, and hope. Such questions run through the narrative of Haunted States, making it more than a catalogue of eerie locales.

The book shows that America, like the supernatural, defies a single definition. The nation’s regions and cultures are as fragmented and contradictory as the Gothic imagination.

Each locale, from Hollywood’s faded glamour to New England’s haunted forests, has distinct fears, histories, and hopes.

Haunted States is rich with these narratives that are both as enlightening as they are entertaining. An engaging, thought-provoking exploration of America’s dark history. Well written and thoroughly researched, blends travel literature with cultural criticism, examining how past horrors, real and imagined, continue to haunt the American consciousness. Highly Recommended.

a more in-depth review is featured on the BIRD's Eyeview of Books Podcast

I love a good anthology/collection of stories. This collection is full of history and fun little tidbits. You call tell that the author spent a lot of time researching the variety of historical topics. If you like history, gothic horror, and collections... read this. You'll be happy to have this on your bookshelf, as well.

#NetGalley #HauntedStates

Corcoran's hybrid travelogue, meditation, and critical analysis works exceptionally well as a way to delve into American culture through the Gothic myth-making of the countries various regions. It is theoretically sophisticated, but also clear in its leveraging of academic discourse. It features both beautifully wrought descriptions of travel across American landscapes and pertinent observations about American narratives and their connections to (or disconnections from, American realities). Corcoran's status as an outsider looking in on a country not her own is useful in illuminating areas that we might take for granted (including the notice of American transportation's unspoken hostility to the disabled and under-resourced). I'm well versed in books engaging in American psycho-geography, including the works of Colin Dickey, W. Scott Poole, and Leanna Renee Hieber, and Andrea Janes. Haunted States is one of the best I've read in this area of exploration and valuable addition to the field. .