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alfie_and_books's review against another edition
3.0
**Originally published on my blo at https://elfcouncillorreads.blogspot.com/2019/01/book-review-daughter-of-salem-how-we.html**
The Daughters of Salem (aptly subtitled "How We Sent Our Children to Their Deaths") is a fictionalised reimagining of the Salem Witch trials in 1690s Massachusetts. The main character, Abigail Hobbs comes of age and rejects a local boys proposal which starts off a chain of events that leads Salem into a state of hysteria. Neighbour turns on neighbour, friend turns on friend, all leading up to Salem's darkest time.
I'll read anything that 1) has anything to do with witches or potential witches and 2) anything with mass panic and confusion (you know those end of the world films where everyone runs from tidal waves screaming etc. that's my jam). This seemed to encompass both of those and it has been a bloody long time since I last picked up a graphic novel, 2014 me would be ashamed, so here we are and here's what I thought:
This graphic novel explorers themes of religion, politics, womanhood, survival, fertility and more, a true exploration of real fears that the people of Salem (more so for women) would have experienced day to day. Shown through the beautiful, gory and graphic art work it really brought a sense of panic and the macabre to the story. There is also a small romantic subplot involving a Native American which really added to the whole experience even if it was a bit instalove, a fragment of hope through love in an otherwise morose time.
I enjoyed the theme of sisterhood that this book brought and it was definitely my favourite aspect. In face of all the atrocities and hysteria the story managed to bring together a group of young women who would stand by each other, a haven to escape the patriarchal control of their home. I'm not sure how this will hold up in later volumes when the hysteria reaches its peak but I have a strong belief that these women will stand by the sisterhood til the end.
While I did enjoy certain aspects of this graphic novel it was hard for me to wholly love. Firstly, the writing style was just a bit basic and I couldn't put my finger on who this was aimed at (but I'm guessing young adult?). The language and style of the characters speech was more juvenile than I would expect of a fourteen year old girl so I found it a bit simple, lacking and juxtaposed with the very adult illustrations. I have since however found out that this was actually a translation so it may not a true reflection of the author's original.
If I'm being picky, the story I found a bit dull, I was compelled enough to keep reading but when I wasn't reading it I wasn't thinking about it at all. The story would often jump from scene to scene changing the subject when in was just starting to enjoy where the current scene was going. I just needed a little more resolve throughout rather than just snippets.
I will read Part 2 when it surfaces in English as it was short and sweet and I really did enjoy parts that I hope will further explored in subsequent volumes.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.**
The Daughters of Salem (aptly subtitled "How We Sent Our Children to Their Deaths") is a fictionalised reimagining of the Salem Witch trials in 1690s Massachusetts. The main character, Abigail Hobbs comes of age and rejects a local boys proposal which starts off a chain of events that leads Salem into a state of hysteria. Neighbour turns on neighbour, friend turns on friend, all leading up to Salem's darkest time.
I'll read anything that 1) has anything to do with witches or potential witches and 2) anything with mass panic and confusion (you know those end of the world films where everyone runs from tidal waves screaming etc. that's my jam). This seemed to encompass both of those and it has been a bloody long time since I last picked up a graphic novel, 2014 me would be ashamed, so here we are and here's what I thought:
This graphic novel explorers themes of religion, politics, womanhood, survival, fertility and more, a true exploration of real fears that the people of Salem (more so for women) would have experienced day to day. Shown through the beautiful, gory and graphic art work it really brought a sense of panic and the macabre to the story. There is also a small romantic subplot involving a Native American which really added to the whole experience even if it was a bit instalove, a fragment of hope through love in an otherwise morose time.
I enjoyed the theme of sisterhood that this book brought and it was definitely my favourite aspect. In face of all the atrocities and hysteria the story managed to bring together a group of young women who would stand by each other, a haven to escape the patriarchal control of their home. I'm not sure how this will hold up in later volumes when the hysteria reaches its peak but I have a strong belief that these women will stand by the sisterhood til the end.
While I did enjoy certain aspects of this graphic novel it was hard for me to wholly love. Firstly, the writing style was just a bit basic and I couldn't put my finger on who this was aimed at (but I'm guessing young adult?). The language and style of the characters speech was more juvenile than I would expect of a fourteen year old girl so I found it a bit simple, lacking and juxtaposed with the very adult illustrations. I have since however found out that this was actually a translation so it may not a true reflection of the author's original.
If I'm being picky, the story I found a bit dull, I was compelled enough to keep reading but when I wasn't reading it I wasn't thinking about it at all. The story would often jump from scene to scene changing the subject when in was just starting to enjoy where the current scene was going. I just needed a little more resolve throughout rather than just snippets.
I will read Part 2 when it surfaces in English as it was short and sweet and I really did enjoy parts that I hope will further explored in subsequent volumes.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.**
dany_ambivertwords's review against another edition
3.0
This story is narrated by Abigail whivh starts off when her friend gives her a wooden donkey toy . In salem , it apparently means entering the "womanhood'' . Abigail finds herself in the adults place and really irritates her.
The story plays along with abigail , salem trials , feminism , minority and human's fear of unnatural beautifully. There are comics of crucial violance and bloodshed so i don't feel like its for children but the story and plot is totally children's fiction.
*I thank the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion"
The story plays along with abigail , salem trials , feminism , minority and human's fear of unnatural beautifully. There are comics of crucial violance and bloodshed so i don't feel like its for children but the story and plot is totally children's fiction.
*I thank the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion"