Customer Reviews

Possessed Possessions : Haunted Antiques, Furniture and Collectibles

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You catch glimpses of them out the corner of your eye; those quick little shadows that just weren't there before you brought home that fine old antique you picked up so cheaply at that sad little shop. There it is again! You're sure you saw it that time! What's going on here? Could it be that that bargain antique is somehow . . . naaaw! But, according to author/antique dealer Ed Okonowicz in "Possessed Possessions" and "Possessed Possessions 2," those cut-rate antiques might very well be haunted indeed. And it's not just antiques. Any object that was important to or cherished by someone in life, he suggests, can be watched over by that someone's . . . ghost? . . . later on.

With a generous 20 chilling stories per volume, "Possessed Possessions" and "Possessed Possessions 2" chronicles the tribulations of ordinary people who liked antiques until they brought home THE piece. Dolls with utterly lifelike eyes, well-used mirrors (maybe too well-used?), chairs that can't be content sitting in rooms alone, record players that just can't seem to shake the habit, and over three dozen more of the most dissatisfied objects ever to cause a domestic uproar will have you thinking twice about that incredibly inexpensive and thoroughly collectible must-have.

But Orkonowicz never claims the stories he has collected in his "Possessed Possessions" series are in any way answers to the great question of whether or not ghosts really exist or not, and he never makes a statement of personal belief one way or the other. In fact, he insists in his introduction, the spine-chilling tales present many more questions than answers, and he never actively seeks out the mysterious stories.

Are the too-lifelike eyes in that exquisite old flea market-acquired portrait really looking at you? If even a fraction of the troubled collectibles enthusiasts Okonowicz has attracted over the years are to be believed, those eyes might indeed be watching.

-Sharon Galligar Chance

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It makes you take a second look at antiques! Ed weaves a spell around you with each and every story and makes you read the book from beginning to end without putting it down. From haunted dolls to creepy cradles... this is a must read for all who are interested in "things that go bump in the night".

I have long held a fascination for true ghost stories. And so based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews 'Possessed Possessions' received at this site, I ordered a used copy. You can imagine my initial delight and confusion at receiving a copy signed by author Ed Okonowicz to its previous owners since the seller had not advertised it as such. Alas, my confusion turned to complete understanding after reading the book itself. For I, too, wanted to be rid of it soon after suffering through its ninety nine, interminably tedious pages. But as a charitable gesture, I have tossed my copy in the trash instead of re-selling it so as not to inflict it on yet another unwary reader. If genuine, the writers of all of the other 5-Star reviews here, warning of sleepless nights and guaranteed chills would be frightened by Casper the Friendly Ghost. More likely, I suspect, these raves have been "planted" by friends and associates of the author...or perhaps the author himself under various aliases? Indeed, the one and only imaginative stroke the author shows is his creation of the name "Billy Peaches" in order to protect the identity of an unfortunate gentleman terrorized by kitchen-door cabinets. While the book's basic concept is an intriguing one--i.e. true ghost stories concerning haunted objects instead of the standard house--none of the stories are worthy of the badly-designed pages they are printed on. If anything, the reader comes away with serious doubts about the mental stability of the objects' owners, rather than believing that anything supernatural is afoot. I mean really, are we supposed to be kept awake nights frightened by the apparition of a boy who leaps in and out of a bed's headboard or a plastic, oversize Barbie doll kept wrapped in plastic in a backyard shed? Unlike Mr. Okonowicz, I spent about five minutes on the Internet researching some historical bits noted in the tales only to learn of their utter inaccuracy. And as for the actual writing of the book, there is nothing wrong with a penny-plain style, but Mr. Okonowicz repeats phrases and information once too often in the same story. It was also a bit unfair to include a fictional piece by the author in this collection. Furthermore, it is odd that a biographical note on artist Kathleen Okonowicz (the author's wife, not surprisingly) is afforded an entire page. The only item I could find in terms of artwork in the book is the third-class black & white photograph that appears on the cover, and another smaller one on the back. So please do not waste your hard-earned pennies on this volume...or (gasp!) its sequel. You would do much better scaring yourself by visiting the author's Web site to learn how he has made a career out of peddling similar dreck in related books.

Bad enough ghosts give ya the spooks now objects now that just sends goosebumps up my arms. I loved this book so much I read it aloud with my husband. Now at night instead of looking for ghost I am looking to see if any of the furniture or knick nacks are going to go flying through the air :O). Great Book I highly recommend it!!

I was so excited to get this book and so disappointed after reading it. The stories have great potential but lack any evidence or needed detail. I read paranormal books all of the time and usually enjoy them. This on the other hand isn't good enough to waste $10.
The final story was like being slapped in the face after being disappointed. You read this longer more detailed story only to find out that it's fiction. Like a joke or something. I won't be purchasing the second book.

This book along with his others continue to capture my intrigue and imagination. Ed has a way of telling a story that simply won't let you put the book down until it is done and keeps you in suspense waiting for his next issue.

I purchased this as a gift for my sister, and have since read it myself. The stories ring true and offer a change of pace from the typical ghost stories. Some of them are downright spooky, and it's not easy to spook me!

This book was helpful. I have antiques that we found in a funeral home. If anyone is interested. The haunting story behind them is very interesting and any advise is welcomed.

...

Though stated as true stories by the author, I can't help but think that it is merely intriguing short story fiction. There is a lack of needed evidence to validate these stories as being truely believeable. I am not a hard-core skeptic, I do have an open mind about the paranormal but when evidence lacks, in said to be true stories it comes rather clear to me that it is the work of an active imagination.