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candeegirl's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.75
I found that I really enjoyed how Blakemore represented each woman she wrote about, I could find pieces of myself or those I love in each of them. How she dissected Hopkins and Edes and their role in this story and torture of women was also so interesting and rang true, it reignited a love I've had for the witch trials since I was young and im so thankful for that. this was such an intelligent and immersive read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Rape, and Miscarriage
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In this novel, Blakemore expertly explores the particular misogynist menace of the witch-hunt. This book is clearly thoroughly researched and based on an abundance of facts. The primary villain, Matthew Hopkins, is a fictionalized version of a real 17th-century witch-hunter with the same name. In the pages of this novel and in real life, many women were accused of witchcraft for purely arbitrary reasons. The only common denominator seems to have been that they were all poor or otherwise living on society's margins. What a dark and awful time in world history.
I readily admit that the subject of Manningtree Witches is fascinating. The execution of the story itself, however, left a bit to be desired. For a book about witches and Puritanical fervor, there is little... excitement. Instead, there is a lot of incredibly period-appropriate sad detail. While reading, I frequently found myself bored. After making it to the end, all I could think was "that's it?!" I wanted more characterization of the accused women beyond Rebecca, the protagonist. I also would have loved a little bit more paranormal activity.
Ultimately, I'm not upset to have read this book - which is very beautifully written. I'm just reminded of how historical fiction is not one of my favorite genres.
I readily admit that the subject of Manningtree Witches is fascinating. The execution of the story itself, however, left a bit to be desired. For a book about witches and Puritanical fervor, there is little... excitement. Instead, there is a lot of incredibly period-appropriate sad detail. While reading, I frequently found myself bored. After making it to the end, all I could think was "that's it?!" I wanted more characterization of the accused women beyond Rebecca, the protagonist. I also would have loved a little bit more paranormal activity.
Ultimately, I'm not upset to have read this book - which is very beautifully written. I'm just reminded of how historical fiction is not one of my favorite genres.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Classism
egf1702's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Torture
closelywatchedfilms's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Rape, Slavery, and Trafficking
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