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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
This was one of those books that wasn’t my cup of tea but it felt wrong to give it a low score. I didn’t love the book but I can appreciate it for sure. It was a very interesting recount of true events of the European Witch hunts in the early 1600s. It gave me Where the crawdads sing vibes in the sense of the whole town turning against someone simply because of rumors, gossip and a scapegoat to dump their problems on. Anywho glad to mark this one off my ever growing TBR. P.S. found out this was based off of a true story. Woooooow
Honestly it's just rare to find a book that's this much of a constant downward turn of events for a character (who you like!) Yet maintain a levity through sharp and often hilarious writing. It was a satisfying read in every aspect, with literary finesse and a perfect pace.
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
An elderly woman is accused of being a witch and her children and friend work to clear her name.
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
This was great. The narration is fantastic, really augmenting the testimonial sections.
This is a true, and ostensibly straight forward story of a woman accused of poisoning the child of a neighbour via a herbal remedy. But word of mouth makes even this accusation far more complex. As the hysteria of the people gathers, so to do their stories. Suddenly she also taught curses to people and controls the weather. The small push into the culture of the town rapidly devolves into a very sinister—yet somehow, oddly funny, in the satirical sense—kind of way.
It alternates between the accused perspective, negotiating life after the accusation, and the numerous testimonials, which act as a fluid set piece for the historical aspects, of which many are, I am told, quite accurate.
I’m pretty burned out on Witch trial stories but this just seemed to be the exact right amount of reframing and characterization. Perhaps the fact that the townspeople become subjects under a microscope makes it seem new, or fresh. Either way, couldn’t put it down and highly recommend the audiobook, especially.
This is a true, and ostensibly straight forward story of a woman accused of poisoning the child of a neighbour via a herbal remedy. But word of mouth makes even this accusation far more complex. As the hysteria of the people gathers, so to do their stories. Suddenly she also taught curses to people and controls the weather. The small push into the culture of the town rapidly devolves into a very sinister—yet somehow, oddly funny, in the satirical sense—kind of way.
It alternates between the accused perspective, negotiating life after the accusation, and the numerous testimonials, which act as a fluid set piece for the historical aspects, of which many are, I am told, quite accurate.
I’m pretty burned out on Witch trial stories but this just seemed to be the exact right amount of reframing and characterization. Perhaps the fact that the townspeople become subjects under a microscope makes it seem new, or fresh. Either way, couldn’t put it down and highly recommend the audiobook, especially.
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
LOVED this book. ATE it up. It was even more interesting when I realized it was based on true events, and the author had transcribed court and interview transcripts to incorporate into the novel. The persecution of Katharina is not the real story here— this is the story of the “good” neighbor, and the town that turned against her.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Everyone but the justice system. Shout out to investigator and judges who don't take no shit.
V sad about the grandbaby. She seemed so cool.
V sad about the grandbaby. She seemed so cool.