In , journalist Olivier Le Carrer presents a captivating "anti-travelogue" that explores 40 locations worldwide defined by misfortune, danger, or mystery. The Architecture of a Curse

While lauded for its "pithy historical profiles" and "sly mystery", some readers find the use of the word "cursed" to be problematic when applied to real-world suffering in places like Gaza or Beirut . Critics argue that labeling human-rights crises or economic struggles as "curses" can be insensitive, though Le Carrer maintains a tone of "dramatic respect" for the locations he chronicles.

: Sites like the Strait of Messina (home to the mythical Scylla and Charybdis) or the Amityville House explore where folklore and paranormal activity take center stage.

Ultimately, the Atlas of Cursed Places serves as a fascinating resource for writers and lovers of esoteric knowledge, offering a fresh boarding pass to the darker corners of global geography.