What a fun book!
When I first bought 'Ghosts from Our Past' from a bookshop whilst out of town, the guy at the counter asked if I enjoyed the movie. I said yes, and he said he liked it too, and commented on how a lot of people didn't, and he felt a little left out - "But I like it fine" was the gist of it. I agree, it is unfortunate that people who like the 'Ghostbusters' reboot often feel the need to defend it rather than just praise it. It's not enough to talk about its own merits, they have to defend its very existence, for all-too obvious reasons.
But I'm happy to support good, funny art. Art that says that women can do things. That women can be anything; they can be funny, they can be scientists. And ghostbusters. STEM fields need more women (and less hostile, sexist environments and regulations); a mainstream Hollywood film starring an all-female Ghostbusters team may in fact inspire many little girls to choose a career in science.
This book, more so.
'Ghosts from Our Past: Both Literally and Figuratively: The Study of the Paranormal' (someone ought to shorten that title for another edition) is a movie tie-in/companion piece for 2016's 'Ghostbusters', where said book is also a plot point. While for this "revised edition", the main hook from a marketing standpoint is the humour - it comes from a comedy franchise - it contains very interesting, intellectual anecdotes. It starts with telling the early lives and friendship of the ghostbusters and "authors" Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates ("Our Stories"), then it explores real facts about ghost sightings, categorizing spirits, paranormal studies and the people who have delved in it throughout history ("Our Research"), then into the ghostbusting itself ("Our Methods"). Mathematical and scientific terms and equations are peppered throughout - I've avoided this stuff since school, but here I soaked it all in, the voices used are so engaging and funny.
'Ghosts from Our Past' is immensely readable. It can be enjoyed by anyone in one sitting, as light entertainment that is also educational when looking into the complex subject of the paranormal. Sketches of ghosts and photos of real paranormal investigators included.
Additional inclusions are "updates" from the other ghostbusters, Jillian Holtzmann and Patty Tolan, and an "epitaph" from Kevin the receptionist (does he have a last name?). Surprisingly, they're not as funny as Erin's and Abby's writing, but that's a nitpick I can deal with.
'Ghosts from Our Past' is like a scientific version of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', the "guide". Like the 'Ghostbusters' franchise, it's a cool case of mixing fantasy and science into an entertaining study and equation. When it comes to inspiring people, more than anything it teaches the message that anyone can be a scientist.
And that women rule. They ain't afraid of no ghosts, or misogynist trolls.
Final Score: 5/5
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