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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this a lot. I don't read about the Puritans much bc they make me really mad but I'm glad I made an exception here.
Although set in the 17thc the trials of the main character make the slogan "You've come a long way baby" as hollow today as it was in the 70's. Women who are smart, opinionated, and speak out against the patriarchal hierarchy are pilloried just as the women who were called out as witches. As the author noted in an interview. "When a magistrate on Boston’s all-male Court of Assistants calls my heroine, Mary Deerfield, “a nasty woman,” the reference won’t be lost on contemporary readers."
3.5**
I know why folks would want it to end the way it did, but I think it was the wrong ending.
I know why folks would want it to end the way it did, but I think it was the wrong ending.
I enjoyed this story (3.5 stars)…the way marital relationships, witch hunting, and general paranoia were depicted felt very authentic. I did not love the traditional tongue used (thou, thy, canst), but it probably helped with scene and setting development.
It was a slow burn of a book but in the end very compelling. I enjoyed it.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fans of early American history will not be disappointed by the latest read from Chris Bohjalian. The novel, Hour of the Witch, begins as a slow burn detailing the horrors of Ms. Mary Deerfield’s marriage. (Trigger warning: this novel does describe domestic violence episodes throughout it’s entirety). Set in the 17th century, the book changes pace midway through the novel, when it becomes frighteningly clear that the reader is watching a potential witch hunt unfold.
The realistic nature in which the plot develops makes the novel that much more engaging and disturbing. As always, I adore the way Mr. Bohjalian built these characters, and I appreciated his fresh take on a well-known piece of American history. His female and male characters were built in such a way that the reader was easily reminded of the juxtaposed roles of women and men in the 1600’s. This constant reminder makes the protagonist’s strength in the face of antagonistic male characters that much more shocking and triumphant. I rated this one 4 stars versus my normal 5 for Bohjalian, because it did move at a slower clip. That said, as a lover of American history and Chris Bohjalian novels, I was not surprised with how much I appreciated this storyline. Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The realistic nature in which the plot develops makes the novel that much more engaging and disturbing. As always, I adore the way Mr. Bohjalian built these characters, and I appreciated his fresh take on a well-known piece of American history. His female and male characters were built in such a way that the reader was easily reminded of the juxtaposed roles of women and men in the 1600’s. This constant reminder makes the protagonist’s strength in the face of antagonistic male characters that much more shocking and triumphant. I rated this one 4 stars versus my normal 5 for Bohjalian, because it did move at a slower clip. That said, as a lover of American history and Chris Bohjalian novels, I was not surprised with how much I appreciated this storyline. Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 Trigger Warning- domestic abuse. Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn.
This book wasn’t bad, but it did bring back flashes of frustration from reading “The Crucible” in high school. The irritation of being a woman in the 1660’s is maddening at times to think about. This story did run a bit slow at times during the part that lead up to, as well as during the trial. I’ve also never read a novel that mentions forks so many times.
This book wasn’t bad, but it did bring back flashes of frustration from reading “The Crucible” in high school. The irritation of being a woman in the 1660’s is maddening at times to think about. This story did run a bit slow at times during the part that lead up to, as well as during the trial. I’ve also never read a novel that mentions forks so many times.
The story was interesting, but the writing, especially the dialogue, fell flat. Not much emotion, I didn’t care about the characters.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes