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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Mary Deerfield requests a divorce from an abusive husband and becomes a pariah of the community.
Probably not for some, but I enjoyed it. Learning plausible ways in which women subvert the patriarchy in olden times is fascinating to me.
Yes, the thees and thines are awkward but I got used to them.
Yes, the constant references to the devil's tines bog the pacing down, but it literally represents the Evil in this book, which, you kno, is germaine to witch trials.
My biggest criticism was the resolving agent at the end kind of swoops in a little too abruptly for my taste. It was there all along, but I wish there had been more of a will it/won't it throughout the narrative.
Probably not for some, but I enjoyed it. Learning plausible ways in which women subvert the patriarchy in olden times is fascinating to me.
Yes, the thees and thines are awkward but I got used to them.
Yes, the constant references to the devil's tines bog the pacing down, but it literally represents the Evil in this book, which, you kno, is germaine to witch trials.
My biggest criticism was the resolving agent at the end kind of swoops in a little too abruptly for my taste. It was there all along, but I wish there had been more of a will it/won't it throughout the narrative.
DNF. This book is way too slow. I thought that I was moving right along in the audio, only to find that I was only at 16%!?! There’s a lot of dialogue and I think that is what is really slowing it down for me. I just can’t get into it.
A little heavy on the “thou” and what not, but a great story with a satisfying ending
Yes, she thought, revenge belongs to God. But justice? That will be mine.It is the 17th century, and Mary Deerfield lives in the new settlement of Boston with her affluent family, a cruel husband and a jealous servant. After a fateful night that leaves Mary to fear for her life, she seeks counsel and petitions for divorce. This, however leads to far greater accusations against her person; as tensions grow and more women fall pray to accusations of witchcraft, Mary believes she might be next.
Frustratingly long and super detailed in the best way. The misoginy and inconsistent religious policing of the time - and its parallels to today - were written rather well and you couldn't help but sympathise with Mary and her pride. No wonder women at the time admitted to witchcraft and dealing with the devil when everyone else gaslights you into doing so.
Definitely recommend it to fans of lovingly crafted historical fiction in the manner of The VVitch.
Story is 4 ⭐️
Audio is 5 ⭐️
I’m fascinated by anything to do with the Salem Witch trials and this book did not disappoint! Such a good spooky season read too. The ending was SO satisfying.
I highly recommend audio, I think I might have become a bit bored if I was reading it.
Audio is 5 ⭐️
I’m fascinated by anything to do with the Salem Witch trials and this book did not disappoint! Such a good spooky season read too. The ending was SO satisfying.
I highly recommend audio, I think I might have become a bit bored if I was reading it.
sad
slow-paced
Reading "Hour of the Witch" through the lens of the #MeToo movement gives this fascinating novel a weightier, more nuanced context. The story of a 17th century Puritan woman attempting to divorce her abusive husband before a patriarchal court system is eerily reminiscent of the testimony given by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford at the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. Author Chris Bohjalian does a fine job building complex, three-dimensional characters, while alternately ratcheting up the story's tension and suspense until the very end of the book.
"Historical fiction holds up a mirror to the past; good historical fiction holds up a mirror to the present. 'Hour of the Witch' is very good historical fiction." -Diana Gabaldon
"Historical fiction holds up a mirror to the past; good historical fiction holds up a mirror to the present. 'Hour of the Witch' is very good historical fiction." -Diana Gabaldon
Boston, 1662. Mary Deerfield is the young second wife of Thomas Deerfield, a wealthy miller with a good reputation in the town who abuses Mary at home when no one is around. When Thomas stabs Mary’s hand with a three-tined fork, she seeks the assistance of her family and the magistrates to grant her a divorce. As the community gets involved in the proceedings, accusations of witchcraft start flying.
Review: I absolutely could not put this down. This was fantastic from start to finish. I was really impressed by the depth of the character of Mary as well as some of the twists in this book. If you’re even remotely interested in the “witch trial” period of history, you’ll enjoy this.
CW: Domestic violence, suicidal ideation
Review: I absolutely could not put this down. This was fantastic from start to finish. I was really impressed by the depth of the character of Mary as well as some of the twists in this book. If you’re even remotely interested in the “witch trial” period of history, you’ll enjoy this.
CW: Domestic violence, suicidal ideation
I wanted this to be better and less tedious than it was. I want to care at least about the main character. It just felt like a rehash of all stories the patriarchy tells us over and over and over again. But with some justice (?), I suppose. I don't know. Mostly it was boring.
Oh that was delightful. I liked it from the start and it just kept building suspense and momentum and the every present "oh no, that's not a good idea."