Fitcher's Brides (44 page)

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Historically, this was time when religious fervor, doomsday cults, and experimental utopian communities were widespread in the area—as well as quasi-scientific ideas like mesmerism, which Gregory Frost makes use of in
Fitcher's Brides
. Oddly enough, mesmerism grew out of the same French salons that fostered the creation of fairy tales like Bluebeard. You can read Gregory Frost's article on the subject on the Endicott Studio Web site:
www.endicott-studio.com/formsmr.html
.