Scan barcode
sjanke2's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Violence
themomwithabook's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Review of Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Boston, 1662. Mary Deerfield is 24-years old and the second wife of Thomas Deerfield. Thomas’ late wife unexpectedly died from a horse accident. When Mary and Thomas wed, she had no idea of his rage, nor the extent of his power. Often drunk, one night Thomas takes a fork and stabs it through the back of Mary’s hand. Knowing that if she continues to live with Thomas and may end up like his late wife, Mary petitions for a divorce. But in a time where men treat women as property and condescendingly; and a time where everyone fears possession of the devil - Mary ends up having to defend herself from accusations of being a witch. Hour of the Witch is a tale of survival. It’s a witch hunt in the truest sense but Mary has to find a way not only to end her marriage, but to avoid the gallows as well.
This historical fiction novel paints a vivid picture of what life was likely like during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. I mean - it’s patriarchy at its finest. White men who hold all the power, authority, social privilege, and influence; and the women who hardly have any rights, let alone a voice. While the story starts off a little slow, it picks up with this ominous tension that remains throughout the entire book. The cruelty described and the unfairness of it all was so frustrating. I can’t imagine having lived in that time with all the injustices and repression women faced. And yet for some reason, something about the era of the Salem Witch Trials has always fascinated me. Bohjalian is a wonderful storyteller in that he finds ways to teach readers about a time period while also pulling them into a new world. Hour of the Witch does just that. It’s captivating and descriptive. Bohjalian brought to life a period in time where rumors and accusations were absurdly believed and something seemingly innocuous quickly appeared duplicitous and worthy of standing trial.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: Domestic abuse; Infertility
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Infertility
henrygravesprince's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Miscarriage, Incest, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Colonisation
Minor: Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
maplekelly's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Chris Boohjalian dos not disappoint. He captures whichever universe he chooses to depict perfectly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
kb_sherman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol, Infertility, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Animal death, Colonisation, Incest, Infidelity, and Vomit
chelsearm's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A witch hunt tale that goes beyond the classic “woman is evil?” narrative to deliver a heart wrenching depiction of personhood and autonomy in the Puritan culture
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
beccacabra's review
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
kltageson's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hour of the Witch left me raging at misogynistic, patriarchal men. It’s the story of Mary Deerfield, a young Puritan woman who wants to divorce her abusive husband. However, the court takes his word over hers and orders her back to his home. The Mary has to appear before the court again, this time accused of witchcraft.
The atmosphere and pacing of the book is excellent. The author slowly reveals dialogue, events and situations that by themselves would mean nothing. But in a claustrophobic society seemingly obsessed with witchcraft, where someone is always watching for any sign of non-conformity, and where many have ulterior motives, they take on a much more sinister tone. The more I read, the more my stomach clenched and my pulse quickened. The inclusion of extracts from court documents at the start of each chapter added a sense of realism, as well as increasing the feelings of dread. As I read I found myself getting frustrated with Mary who didn’t always act with the caution or prudence perhaps necessary for a woman in a Puritan community. Which of course indicates a problem with Puritan society, for why should a woman (or anyone) life their live based on a fear of how other might interpret those actions?
As Mary’s two court cases unfolded I was also struck by the sad thought that little has changed for women. Sexual assault victims will surely relate to Mary’s behaviour being scrutinised more closely than that of the man who assaulted her. They also spoke to the risks run by women whose behaviour was outside the expected norm. More generally I was reminded of the importance of knowing witness motivation and the dangers of relying on circumstantial evidence. Talk about unsafe verdicts.
I had mixed feelings about the ending. My feminist self was delighted at these women sticking it (literally) to the men. And obviously it was great to see an injustice righted. But my literary readerly self felt it was more than a tad unrealistic.
All in all a chilling reminder of how society has treated women who don’t conform to the narrow prescribed norm. Thanks to @biblioreviews for organising a great buddy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
lgmelcher's review
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The ending redeemed it for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage