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filipafigas's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
orsonette's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
natalielynnsmith's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
brooklyn0426's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
rubyolive's review
dark
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Beautifully written, tragically, horrifyingly beautiful.
georgiarose710's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ambb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
sayhar13's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hanlsha's review
4.0
The Manningtree Witches by A.K.
Blakemore has left me with many thoughts. To my knowledge, this was the first historical fiction I've read. After watching a review online by one of my favorite book Instagramers, @lydiathevirgo I became interested in possibly picking up a copy one day. A few weeks later, as I was aimlessly wandering around B&N, I stumbled across The Manningtree Witches on sale. Naturally, I believed it was fate, so I had to buy it. Completely rearranging my very loose mental TBR list to read the book next turned out to be a great idea.
Blakemore's prose reminded me of silk; smooth, flowing, beautiful. It was not difficult to imagine the small seaside town of Manningtree and all those who inhabited it. As someone who almost exclusively watches horror movies (and star wars - that's neither here nor there), I am not easily plagued by nightmares from the media I ingest. However, after a particularly gruesome chapter before bed one night I was haunted by a vivid replay of the chapter in my dreams. It was honestly pretty cool! Creepy, but cool.
Set in 1640s England during the English civil war, The Manningtree Witches tells a story of what it was like for women during such a tumultuous time. While the book follows accounts of self-appointed Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins (a real historical figure) it is ultimately about his victims, their stories, and their struggles. As poet A.K. Blakemore's debut novel, it is a harrowing tale of misogyny, religion, poverty, and governmental turmoil. One I highly recommend.
//
“No. I would rather be a woman. We understand our abjection be-
fore God, because we understand our abjection before man. And we
get to laugh behind their backs.”
Blakemore has left me with many thoughts. To my knowledge, this was the first historical fiction I've read. After watching a review online by one of my favorite book Instagramers, @lydiathevirgo I became interested in possibly picking up a copy one day. A few weeks later, as I was aimlessly wandering around B&N, I stumbled across The Manningtree Witches on sale. Naturally, I believed it was fate, so I had to buy it. Completely rearranging my very loose mental TBR list to read the book next turned out to be a great idea.
Blakemore's prose reminded me of silk; smooth, flowing, beautiful. It was not difficult to imagine the small seaside town of Manningtree and all those who inhabited it. As someone who almost exclusively watches horror movies (and star wars - that's neither here nor there), I am not easily plagued by nightmares from the media I ingest. However, after a particularly gruesome chapter before bed one night I was haunted by a vivid replay of the chapter in my dreams. It was honestly pretty cool! Creepy, but cool.
Set in 1640s England during the English civil war, The Manningtree Witches tells a story of what it was like for women during such a tumultuous time. While the book follows accounts of self-appointed Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins (a real historical figure) it is ultimately about his victims, their stories, and their struggles. As poet A.K. Blakemore's debut novel, it is a harrowing tale of misogyny, religion, poverty, and governmental turmoil. One I highly recommend.
//
“No. I would rather be a woman. We understand our abjection be-
fore God, because we understand our abjection before man. And we
get to laugh behind their backs.”