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lorilanefox's review against another edition
4.0
Faith and truth battle in this fictionalized account of an ancestor of the author, who was accused of witchcraft in the 1600’s and was tried twice (and possibly a third time) and acquitted. Often magical, at times the story is shockingly disturbing in its depiction of the cruelties inherent in the Catholic church’s methods of inquisition in the witch trials, it ends with an unexpected twist.
While time and history will never erase the cruel and superstitious insanity of the burning times, we can learn from books like this to recognize the embers of mass hysteria and douse then before they erupt in destructive flames.
While time and history will never erase the cruel and superstitious insanity of the burning times, we can learn from books like this to recognize the embers of mass hysteria and douse then before they erupt in destructive flames.
spookcy's review against another edition
4.0
Overall this book was pretty good. The main character (Güde) was loveable and it was interesting to read a story told through perspective of an elderly woman. Although I liked some of the characters, a few of them were unlikeable and boring to me, which is why I can’t give this a 5 ⭐️. Overall though, if you like books about witch hunts that have religious undertones, or a book that stays with you awhile after you finish it, you’ll like this one.
zblc015's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It kept up a careful level of suspense which wasn’t overpowering but kept the pace of the story moving. Mailman writes beautifully, including enough detail in her descriptions and her characters to let you know that you’re not in your present setting, but without completely defamiliarising you. The story turned on its head towards the end, which was a pleasant twist and interesting idea into how age affected witch trials and the ability and reliability of an elderly woman to comprehend the events around her.
There were some areas which were a little cloudy, Fronika’s storyline felt a little rushed at the end. Similarly, if the writer felt the need to include the details about Alke at the end, it would have been nice to have expanded on this a little more through the book, rather than in the last 5 pages.
And one tiny nagging thing: in the edition I have, the author includes book club notes, one of which insinuates that medieval people were incapable of forming and keeping familial bonds. I quote: ‘infanticide was common place’. My understanding of the book was that the characters were driven to extremes due to the famine, not because 15th century Germans couldn’t form lasting relationships. As a medievalist who knows full well how medieval families operated (and no, infanticide wasn’t a commonplace occurrence outside normal circumstances, just like today), this somewhat detracts from how the author approached moulding medieval characters and getting into their mindset.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book!
There were some areas which were a little cloudy, Fronika’s storyline felt a little rushed at the end. Similarly, if the writer felt the need to include the details about Alke at the end, it would have been nice to have expanded on this a little more through the book, rather than in the last 5 pages.
And one tiny nagging thing: in the edition I have, the author includes book club notes, one of which insinuates that medieval people were incapable of forming and keeping familial bonds. I quote: ‘infanticide was common place’. My understanding of the book was that the characters were driven to extremes due to the famine, not because 15th century Germans couldn’t form lasting relationships. As a medievalist who knows full well how medieval families operated (and no, infanticide wasn’t a commonplace occurrence outside normal circumstances, just like today), this somewhat detracts from how the author approached moulding medieval characters and getting into their mindset.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book!
aurqra's review against another edition
3.0
3,5/5
This was such an atmospheric, spooky read with very vivid descriptions. I particularly loved the scene with the witches in the wood, they were very well written.
This was such an atmospheric, spooky read with very vivid descriptions. I particularly loved the scene with the witches in the wood, they were very well written.
jrosenfeld50's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic book about how church dogma can turn an entire town against its own people under the ludicrous claims of witchcraft--but this tale feels fresh despite the topic having been written about before. The characters are vividly rendered (as well as the sixteenth century language!) and the plot breathless.
npartida's review against another edition
3.0
Rarely is the main character someone who is older from the beginning of the book, here in this tale, we get the perspective of elder. But if you are looking for witchcraft and fantasy, look elsewhere. This novel is more about how communities can turn against each other and especially women in the name of religion in times of hardship. Set in 1500's in Germany, the author takes us to a small community suffering from famine - and with the introduction of priest claiming he can cure the fields for harvest, neighbors soon turn against eachother and traditions that have helped this community become demonized. The potential for this historical fiction was grand but the delivery for me was more - meh -. It was okay and a quick read. The beginning was a bit a choppy and the main character's memory problems make it confusing at times but as I wrote before, it was okay. If you love stories about witches this book will not have what you are looking for - if you like historical fiction that outlines horrors of witch trials then you should check this book out.
ireadi's review against another edition
4.0
The writer Erika Mailman managed to carefully depict those dark times when which hunting was a regular tool to explain bad things happening. She took an interesting approach - point of view of an old woman, and talk about issues that deeply interest me - such as crowd psychology. However, it is quite a short book and Mailman does not give in into much debate, she just tells the story. I believe, that to some extent she did it on purpose, so she can create a more authentic portrait of the old woman, and also leave space for the reader to think about those issues himself. It actually inspired me to write a short play, haha!
Now I want to read more about the history of witches.
Now I want to read more about the history of witches.
c_mae's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kimbongiorno's review against another edition
4.0
Around 8/1 I finished The Witch’s Trinity by Erica Mailman for my personal book club. Would I recommend it? Hm. It is based in 1507 Germany and is about witch trials, so it isn’t the happiest book around. But I found myself with questions when I finished, and it was hard to put down about 3/4 the way through, even though I finished it withe one eye closed. The book club meeting about it was really good, we each had different interpretation of certain things, which always is a positive for book clubs!
jessiann16's review against another edition
3.0
it was good, but just feels like it just wimped out in the end. there was so much build up ... then it just ended.