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coffeeandbooked's review against another edition
4.0
This book was such a fascinating look at the witchcraft trails. it was told like a story & I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed that this looked not only into one of the trails for witchcraft but also the lifestyles and the communities of the 1600's
I really enjoyed that this looked not only into one of the trails for witchcraft but also the lifestyles and the communities of the 1600's
will_foster's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
Incredible, the author brought indescribable levels of humanity to people, and place, who seem just like us from all those hundreds of years ago.
The book kept me gripped throughout, and was delivered perfectly in audiobook by Kristin Atherton.
The history, the politics, the culture of the times, all brought to life so well that it's difficult not to feel emotional hearing of the stories from the people at the centre of the book, each relatable in their own way and brought so much to life. It was equally fascinating to hear about the idea of a witch in the mid 1600s and how the accusations of witchcraft often come as a result of neighbourly strife, hardship, resentment, all the negative yet so human aspects of humanity.
I won't spoil the end but the town of Springfield itself becomes a main character in its own right and the author's two visits to the modern city, recorded in the epilogue, tie the story off in a beautiful way.
I am going to miss listening to this book
The book kept me gripped throughout, and was delivered perfectly in audiobook by Kristin Atherton.
The history, the politics, the culture of the times, all brought to life so well that it's difficult not to feel emotional hearing of the stories from the people at the centre of the book, each relatable in their own way and brought so much to life. It was equally fascinating to hear about the idea of a witch in the mid 1600s and how the accusations of witchcraft often come as a result of neighbourly strife, hardship, resentment, all the negative yet so human aspects of humanity.
I won't spoil the end but the town of Springfield itself becomes a main character in its own right and the author's two visits to the modern city, recorded in the epilogue, tie the story off in a beautiful way.
I am going to miss listening to this book
reggiewoods's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.5
In 1651, the town of Springfield, Massachusetts had some unfortunate incidents that were attributed to witchcraft which led to a married couple going on trial. Already a short book, the incidents and trial probably make up about 30 pages of the book. Most of the rest of the book reads like a biography of Springfield’s founder, William Pynchon, who published a book during the same time period that was declared heretical. While the account of colonial life is detailed quite well by Gaskill, it’s very dry reading. Gaskill seems to be making a point about Pynchon’s enlightened thinking and how it relates to trial and conviction of witchcraft, but I was never clear exactly what that point was. 🤷🏻♂️