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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thought this was a good book! The novel was well-written and atmospheric with a creeping sense of dread that slowly builds throughout the story, reflecting the darkness of the tale itself.
I love historical fiction so really enjoyed the setting of the story - set in 1645, we follow Alice who has just returned to her home town in Essex to find her brother is a merciless witch-hunter. Alice starts to uncover long-hidden secrets about her brother and family, whilst trying to dissuade her brother as he continues to round up innocent women to be put to trial. The story was harrowing and heart-breaking, especially as it is loosely based on real life. The references to real life events that occurred in and around 1645 really brings the story to life, and does a great job of subtly educating the reader on the historical context and sentiment of people in the 1600s. The story isn't dramatic or action-packed but slowly builds and develops, woven together with a prevailing sense of uneasiness and oppression that perfectly reflects the situation and emotions of the women in the story. I thought the characters were well developed and created, with complex emotions and personalities that made them feel authentic and real.
This book isn't quite five stars for me as I thought the ending was quite rushed, and whilst the book was compelling and atmospheric, I didn't find it super engaging or motivating to read.
I love historical fiction so really enjoyed the setting of the story - set in 1645, we follow Alice who has just returned to her home town in Essex to find her brother is a merciless witch-hunter. Alice starts to uncover long-hidden secrets about her brother and family, whilst trying to dissuade her brother as he continues to round up innocent women to be put to trial. The story was harrowing and heart-breaking, especially as it is loosely based on real life. The references to real life events that occurred in and around 1645 really brings the story to life, and does a great job of subtly educating the reader on the historical context and sentiment of people in the 1600s. The story isn't dramatic or action-packed but slowly builds and develops, woven together with a prevailing sense of uneasiness and oppression that perfectly reflects the situation and emotions of the women in the story. I thought the characters were well developed and created, with complex emotions and personalities that made them feel authentic and real.
This book isn't quite five stars for me as I thought the ending was quite rushed, and whilst the book was compelling and atmospheric, I didn't find it super engaging or motivating to read.
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slow-moving and unsettling fictional take on the Witch Finder Matthew Hopkins, who had over 100 women executed for witchcraft during the social uproar of the English Civil War era. Narrated by his sister, who returns home after the death of her young husband in London, she is taken in by her younger brother, Matthew, who is making a name for himself. As she is drawn into the full horror of what he is involving himself him, she starts thinking back on their childhood and family, and what experiences and upbringing have led to the mindset he has today.
It is an awful period, although the social uproar and uncertainty only let loose the bad human behaviour of gossip and axe-grinding that gave so many bitter people the platform to try and blame away misfortune in life on others, or be done with their petty revenges. And that such nonsense was taken seriously and people were executed for it. It doesn't bare thinking about. But there we have it.
Following it all through Alice's eyes, and seeing people she knows accused, as well as witnessing some of the nonsense tests and questioning... it does bring all the brutality down to a very human level.
It is an awful period, although the social uproar and uncertainty only let loose the bad human behaviour of gossip and axe-grinding that gave so many bitter people the platform to try and blame away misfortune in life on others, or be done with their petty revenges. And that such nonsense was taken seriously and people were executed for it. It doesn't bare thinking about. But there we have it.
Following it all through Alice's eyes, and seeing people she knows accused, as well as witnessing some of the nonsense tests and questioning... it does bring all the brutality down to a very human level.
This book is a bit of a mystery to me. Maybe I need to re-read it, but in all honesty it was tough enough to read the first time, but I have so many unanswered questions mixed with an unusual lack of desire to find out the answers.
It all became a bit same-y, a bit dull, a bit of a drag. I know that in future this will become one of those books that I faintly recall reading but can't quite remember any important bits.
What I will credit Underdown on, however, is her incredible ability to paint a picture of a scene with words. I don't think I've ever read a book and so vividly seen what's going on, or so clearly imagined the characters. I cannot fault the fact that I genuinely felt part of the story, but my question throughout was - do I really care if I'm part of this story or not?
It all became a bit same-y, a bit dull, a bit of a drag. I know that in future this will become one of those books that I faintly recall reading but can't quite remember any important bits.
What I will credit Underdown on, however, is her incredible ability to paint a picture of a scene with words. I don't think I've ever read a book and so vividly seen what's going on, or so clearly imagined the characters. I cannot fault the fact that I genuinely felt part of the story, but my question throughout was - do I really care if I'm part of this story or not?
I asked how he had known it was the devil, Did he have horns? "He had no smell", Mathew replied. "He looked like a man but he smelt of nothing"
So this is a story about the Manningtree witch trials as told through the eyes of Alice Hopkins, sister of Mathew Hopkins the notorious witchfinder (played by Vincent Price in the film The Witchfinder General). A tale of fear, paranoia, hatred and revenge and a country whipped up into a religious fever by a few bitter men. The ending is beautifully chilling. Brilliant first book by Beth Underdown.
So this is a story about the Manningtree witch trials as told through the eyes of Alice Hopkins, sister of Mathew Hopkins the notorious witchfinder (played by Vincent Price in the film The Witchfinder General). A tale of fear, paranoia, hatred and revenge and a country whipped up into a religious fever by a few bitter men. The ending is beautifully chilling. Brilliant first book by Beth Underdown.
It was OK, I think more appropriate for a YA book for someone not familiar with the witch trials of the 1600s.
Terrifyingly brilliant. Beth Underdown has transformed a world of witchcraft and terror, into a haunting story based in reality. The poor characters in The Witchfinder's Sister have no chance to escape their accusers. I think that's what makes this book so special. You root for them to be set free.
Through all the trials and tribulations, you get a sense of what life was like in the late 1600's when the threat of witches swept across England. Don't forget the ending. It will knock your socks off. I haven't read something that profound in a long time.
Four stars for The Witchfinder's Sister!
Through all the trials and tribulations, you get a sense of what life was like in the late 1600's when the threat of witches swept across England. Don't forget the ending. It will knock your socks off. I haven't read something that profound in a long time.
Four stars for The Witchfinder's Sister!
Ok, I'll admit that I was mainly attracted to this book because it was set in Essex. I had no idea that the UK's most notorious county was a hotbed of witch trials in the 1640s. If you're a bit of English history buff, then this is one for you. The story is centred on Alice Hopkins, the fictional sister of the very real Matthew Hopkins. He was a self-appointed 'witchfinder' whose interrogation methods led to the execution of around 300 women between 1644 and 1646 in England and practices influenced the Salem witch trials in the USA. So whilst the story is fictional, it is steeped in fact and the author does a great job at weaving these elements together. The story is gripping and easy to read. I spent most of the story wishing Alice would run away from her awful brother and frustrated by the lack of options for women at this time. An intelligent, feminist thriller.