A used copy of 'The Amityville Horror' taught me to stop trusting margin notes

I bought this beat-up paperback at a library sale in Springfield, Illinois for 50 cents. Some prior owner had scribbled 'this is where the ghost gets him' next to every single page, and I kept flipping ahead to check his spoilers. He was wrong like 90% of the time, which made me realize I was reading for his commentary instead of the story. Now I flip through any marked-up book before I start, and I just ignore the notes entirely... has anyone else ever had a margin writer ruin a good scare for them?

2 comments

2 Comments

ivan2304d ago

Those margin notes are the best part of buying used horror, you're missing out on a second story that's usually way funnier than the book itself. My copy of "The Shining" has someone arguing with Jack Torrance in the margins and it's honestly better than the novel.

corad843d ago

Ever find a note that's so specific you feel like you know the stranger who wrote it?