Haunted Bayou

by J.J. Reneaux

Book Overview

The late J.J. Reneaux was known for her skillful telling of Cajun ghostlore from the swamps and bayous of Louisiana. In Haunted Bayou, she draws from this unique gumbo of superstition, ghost stories, and true life experience, weaving ten original short stories and three traditional tales on timeless themes: the struggle between truth and illusion, faith and temptation, good and evil.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087483385X
• ISBN13: 9780874833850
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 164 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Book!

The book is phenominal. As a children's librarian and storyteller, I have used it many times. Arrived quickly from seller and in stated condition.

Spirit tales

Acadian people brought superstition and ghost stories with them in the 1760's the author states. The volume contains both original and traditional stories. A bass fisherman encounters ghosts in the "Haunted Bayou." Burning balls of light are involved in "The Fifolet." Rapadeen's demise happens with a fifolet. A soldier sees the ghost of Jean Lafitte. Delmar Gulley is a character analogous to the ones found in Mark Twain. Some boys seek his assistance as a spirit tamer. The Theriot brothers claim the fifolet has led them to treasure. In the end the fate of Gulley is unknown. A story of onions is a fable pointing to the adage that great riches do not insure happiness. 'Stepmother killed us, papa ate us,' is a song in the story of bones. "Madame Longfingers" or Madame Grand Doights is a witch children fear according to the introduction to the selection. Rufus tries to build a witch trap with crawfish. A cauchemar is a personification of a nightmare. Tony Benoit possesses a souped up '57 Chevy. He is the most popular boy in his high school. His friend Irene says she does not fear the bayou bogeyman or swamp creature. Tony wants to scare her on lovers' lane. Perhaps a real ghost appears. The Cajun werewolf is loupgarou. Guillaume and Dupre love the same girl. One is a werewolf. There is a glossary in the back of the book. Readers will enjoy the stories.