First notes: Eusapia Palladino

First notes: Eusapia Palladino
I have begun collecting information on the fascinating true story of Eusapia Pallatino and the experimental psychic sessions in which she participated at Ile Roubaud in the summer of 1894, and later at Cambridge (1895).

I think Eusapia's story would make material for a decent screenplay - one that should uncover the complexities of this controversial hoax-or-not situation. It leaves people to wonder if there was indeed more to it than it seemed. Her issues explain the actual hidden motives. Her story is just as powerful as that of Daniel Douglas Home, that man who would levitate before crowds and touch the ceilings with his fingertips, as he left a room through the window.

The setting at the Côte d'Azur would be fantastic. The old lighthouse and the actual house still exist, and surprisingly, the island remains private. I read somewhere that it belongs to the descendants of Charles Richet, the Nobel prize winning doctor who invited Eusapia and the other guests to the experiment. They still use it for their summer vacations.

Side stories to the plot could include British researcher Myers's own inspiration - a suicidal girlfriend, and his efforts to reach for her in his grief. As for Eusapia and her volatile personality, it provides for a study in forms of human weirdness. It is atypical and yet common enough that people can relate with her by trying to understand the source of her unpredictable behavior.

More to follow - stay tuned!