Skip to content
Cécile Sune Cécile Sune
  • Blog
  • Authors
  • About me
  • Contact
Cécile Sune
Cécile Sune

The Witch of Napoli by Michael Schmicker

July 8, 2015December 9, 2018
The Witch of Napoli by Michael Schmicker
The Witch of Napoli by Michael Schmicker

Tomaso Labella is a young photographer working for a local paper in Naples, Italy, when he takes a picture that makes his career: Alessandra Poverelli levitating a table during a private seance. For almost 20 years, Tomaso follows the medium as she travels around Europe while scientists study her. One man in particular is interested in Alessandra’s unusual abilities: Dr. Camillo Lombardi, a professor in abnormal psychiatry at the University of Torino. But is Alessandra a fraud, or does she have a genuine gift?

The Witch of Napoli is a fascinating book with an intriguing subject. I have always been interested in psychics, from Allison DuBois to John Edward, so I thought this book was really hard to put down. Especially as Alessandra Poverelli is based on the Italian medium Eusapia Palladino, a woman from a humble background who divided scientists and learned men during the 1890s and 1900s. However, I found that Alessandra was not a very likeable character, as she was often bad-tempered and grumpy. This was probably due to her hard life though, not only during her childhood but also when people regularly insulted her because of her occupation and lower-class status. In addition, I thought it was odd that Tomaso didn’t seem to be jealous when Alessandra flirted with other men, even though he clearly says at the beginning of the book that he fell in love with her. On the whole though, this historical fiction was engrossing, and I highly recommend it.

The Witch of Napoli was sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

Fun facts about the author and the book:

  • Michael Schmicker is known as an expert in the field of scientific anomalies and the paranormal.
  • He is a member of both the American Society for Psychical Research and England’s Society for Psychical Research.
  • The Witch of Napoli was initially thought of as a screenplay for a movie, but the author was persuaded to write a novel first that could later be adapted into a screenplay.
  • Other titles considered for the book: Séance and Queen of Spirits and The Witch of Naples.

About the author and his work: Michael Schmicker’s Amazon Page.

If you liked this book you might also like:

Best Evidence by Michael Schmicker
Best Evidence by Michael Schmicker
We Are Their Heaven by Allison DuBois
We Are Their Heaven by Allison DuBois
Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
I'm Looking Through You by Jennifer Finney Boylan
I’m Looking Through You by Jennifer Finney Boylan
Michael Schmicker Review allison duboisamerican society of psychical researchchildhoodclassengland's society for psychical researcheuropeeusapia palladinofraudgifthistorical fictionitalyjohn edwardlevitationmediummichael schmickermovienaplesnapolinewspaperparanormalphotographerpsychiatrypsychicromescientific anomaliesscientistsscreenplayseancetorinowitch

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Cecile

Cécile Sune was born in Lyon, France, and her obsession with books started when she was 14. Her grandparents had lent her Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, and she spent part of the summer indoors reading. Needless to say, her tan didn't really improve that year! It was also around that time that Cécile fell in love with the English language. Several years later, in 1999, Cécile moved to Toronto, Canada, with her cat and 5 suitcases. Her love of reading greatly increased when she discovered that English books were much cheaper than French novels. In 2013, she decided to start a blog to share her passion. Cécile now lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband and their daughter, and works as a freelance translator (CS Revision).

Related Posts

Michael Romeo Shadow Garden Blues by Michael Romeo

Shadow Garden Blues by Michael Romeo

February 27, 2015December 9, 2018

In Shadow Garden Blues, Michael Romeo recounts his past as a thief, a homeless man, a drug user and an alcoholic. Unfortunately, this debut novella doesn’t have much of a narrative. While the author uses an elaborate writing style with short chapters and poems that give some rhythm to the book, there seems to be no point to the story. In addition, it is very difficult to feel empathy for Michael…

Read More
Jan Christensen A Broken Life by Jan Christensen

Keeping Track of Everything in a Project

May 19, 2015December 9, 2018

The following is a guest post by Jan Christensen, author of  A Broken Life. If you would like to write a guest post on my blog, please send me an e-mail at contact@cecilesune.com. With all the things we have to remember in today’s world, it’s hard to keep track of things. That’s why calendars and to-do lists were invented. Writers have an extra layer to add for keeping track–character details. Their…

Read More
Review The Witches by Stacy Schiff

The Witches by Stacy Schiff

January 22, 2016December 9, 2018

In 1692, 14 women, 5 men and 2 dogs were executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. It started in January of that year when two girls experienced strange symptoms, twitching and contorting with pain. In the course of 9 months, dozens of people were affected by this strange epidemic, and hundreds were accused of witchcraft. Daughters pointed fingers at mothers, neighbors implicated each other. A minister was accused of being…

Read More

Goodreads Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Cecile has read 70 books toward her goal of 100 books.
hide
70 of 100 (70%)
view books
©2025 Cécile Sune | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes