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crystalvaughan0603's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, this book was a page turner for me. I started it, thinking I would take a break from another book that I was reading which is looooong! Anyway, I finished it quickly because of the suspense. A group of girls from an elite prep school in Danvers (formerly Salem), Massachusetts fall prey to a mysterious illness. Katherine Howe moves the story back and forth between the present day (well, ok, 2012, but whatever!) and 1706 as Ann Putnam tells her version of the Salem Witch Trial events. I actually found Ann's story more compelling than Colleen Rowley's, our entre into the present day occurrences. Of course, the Salem Witch Trials fascinate everyone. What happened? Why? How? What caused the girls to accuse their neighbors of witchcraft? Howe posits that the girls were lying for attention and also to get out of work- most of the girls were servants. All in all, I raced through the book to get to the end and the final answers. I was a bit disappointed in the final outcome as I was expected something else. It seemed to me that Howe was going in another direction than she ended in. Maybe she chose to go the other way or maybe she meant to go that way the whole time.
euleau's review against another edition
3.0
This book is definitely interesting, it stands apart from what is on the bookshelves these days and it held my attention. Quick read.
ahtrip's review against another edition
2.0
A book about a bunch of privileged rich girls who get sick because they are too stressed out about the workload at their elite private school and ivy league college applications? Ugh.
xavia's review against another edition
4.0
We read this book for book club.
I was interested to start reading this book, because every review I saw was either one star or five stars, and there didn't seem to be a lot of in-between. I always find books like that interesting. What is it about a book that makes it so polarizing?
In this case, I can see why people either love it or hate it. The book is trying to present itself as smarter than it is, and I can definitely see how that would instantly put some people off. But in my case, I found the books story interesting enough that I didn't care that it had delusions of grandeur. I genuinely liked the story, and for me, that's all that matters.
Now, this book has two storylines, that follow along similar paths. Drawing a comparison between The Salem Witch Trials and the Conversion Disorder that befell 16 girls in Le Roy, New York in 2012. That is where I think the book tries to be smarter than it is. While there are some parallels you can draw between the two situations, at their core, they are not the same. Not even as they are presented in the book.
For starters, it is made clear to us, early on, that Abigail Williams is lying. She isn't sick, she doesn't have distemper, she isn't bespelled. She just doesn't want to work, and resents the daughter of the house for her easier workload. In contrast, I don't think Clara was faking her initial attack. From the descriptions we received of the first three patients, none of them sound like the types who would fake that kind of illness.
As both stories progress, I do think hysteria plays a big part in both stories. Mob mentality, stress, a desire to be like the popular girls. Even in the Salem portion of the book, we see that Ann Putnam, who knows they're lying, started to believe she was afflicted by witch craft. So the parallels there I'm fine with. But outside of that, these situations feel extremely different.
I did find myself frustrated with this book at times. Particularly when they started throwing out random diagnoses with no proof and only the thinnest of lines connecting them, and while that appears to be how the actual case of the Le Roy girls progressed, that doesn't make me feel better. The people's desire to believe sensationalism over science also pricked me wrong, because let's face it, even in our world today, people would rather believe a celebrity has all the answers than that science might be right.
As for the ending, I have some ideas about what I think actually happened. I do think the book leaves it up for interpretation though, so I don't want to influence anyone's thoughts. Nothing angers me more than someone asking me what I think happened, and then dismissing me out of hand because that's not what they think happened, so I'll leave you to form your own opinions.
The long and the short of it it this. I think this book gets more hate than it deserves. Is it the greatest piece of literature ever? No. Was it an enjoyable compelling read? Yes. It was a dumb fun time, and it actually taught me a couple of really interesting things. Which is more than I can say for The Crucible, a play I had forgotten even existed before this book went out of its way to remind me.
I think it's worth a read.
I was interested to start reading this book, because every review I saw was either one star or five stars, and there didn't seem to be a lot of in-between. I always find books like that interesting. What is it about a book that makes it so polarizing?
In this case, I can see why people either love it or hate it. The book is trying to present itself as smarter than it is, and I can definitely see how that would instantly put some people off. But in my case, I found the books story interesting enough that I didn't care that it had delusions of grandeur. I genuinely liked the story, and for me, that's all that matters.
Now, this book has two storylines, that follow along similar paths. Drawing a comparison between The Salem Witch Trials and the Conversion Disorder that befell 16 girls in Le Roy, New York in 2012. That is where I think the book tries to be smarter than it is. While there are some parallels you can draw between the two situations, at their core, they are not the same. Not even as they are presented in the book.
For starters, it is made clear to us, early on, that Abigail Williams is lying. She isn't sick, she doesn't have distemper, she isn't bespelled. She just doesn't want to work, and resents the daughter of the house for her easier workload. In contrast, I don't think Clara was faking her initial attack. From the descriptions we received of the first three patients, none of them sound like the types who would fake that kind of illness.
As both stories progress, I do think hysteria plays a big part in both stories. Mob mentality, stress, a desire to be like the popular girls. Even in the Salem portion of the book, we see that Ann Putnam, who knows they're lying, started to believe she was afflicted by witch craft. So the parallels there I'm fine with. But outside of that, these situations feel extremely different.
I did find myself frustrated with this book at times. Particularly when they started throwing out random diagnoses with no proof and only the thinnest of lines connecting them, and while that appears to be how the actual case of the Le Roy girls progressed, that doesn't make me feel better. The people's desire to believe sensationalism over science also pricked me wrong, because let's face it, even in our world today, people would rather believe a celebrity has all the answers than that science might be right.
As for the ending, I have some ideas about what I think actually happened. I do think the book leaves it up for interpretation though, so I don't want to influence anyone's thoughts. Nothing angers me more than someone asking me what I think happened, and then dismissing me out of hand because that's not what they think happened, so I'll leave you to form your own opinions.
The long and the short of it it this. I think this book gets more hate than it deserves. Is it the greatest piece of literature ever? No. Was it an enjoyable compelling read? Yes. It was a dumb fun time, and it actually taught me a couple of really interesting things. Which is more than I can say for The Crucible, a play I had forgotten even existed before this book went out of its way to remind me.
I think it's worth a read.
tschonfeld's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this; her writing style is engaging and easy to follow. I didn't find the contemporary story all that believable...until I read the end matter and found it was based on a true story (of course). Just goes to show fact is always stranger than fiction...
teaoles's review against another edition
4.0
As much as I enjoyed the Danvers side of this story - I felt that the Interludes stretched on and on towards the end. The story was quite encapsulating however the segmentation of the Salem interlude gave a disjointed feeling. I often skim-read the Salem portions.
Perhaps it's because I've studied this particular subject in depth before, or maybe because I knew what was coming.
Perhaps it's because I've studied this particular subject in depth before, or maybe because I knew what was coming.
teganbeesebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Review also published at t and a book!
Title: Conversion
Author: Katherine Howe
Type: Young Adult
Genre: Dual Past Present/Thriller
Tea: Lady Earl Grey, something that you've had before, but different and exciting it it's own way
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Conversion by Katherine Howe is just as great as I expected it to be. I first discovered Katherine Howe when I was at Barnes & Noble in 2009 and saw The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane on their Barnes & Noble Recommends table. I picked it up and instantly fell in love. When she published her next novel, The House of Velvet and Glass, I couldn't wait to pick it up. Then I saw Conversion and knew I had to have it. Katherine is an amazing storyteller and I can't wait to continue reading what she puts out.
Conversion is marketed as a YA novel, but reads more like an adult fiction novel. It is well written and is not like your stereotypical YA novel on the shelf today. The story mainly takes place in Massachusetts at a private girls' school where students are mysteriously falling ill. This combined with flashbacks to Salem during the witch trials make for an intriguing premise and mystery that you can't get enough of.
The main character was relatable and not annoying (thank goodness). The romance side of the novel doesn't take over the plot and it is not a case of insta-love (more thank goodness). Katherine Howe really covers all the bases as to what is expected in a novel. I love YA, don't get me wrong, but if more were written as well as this one was, I wouldn't complain!
I liked that in the flashbacks in this book it was told from the girls' point of view, where in The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane it was told from the accused women's point of view. You don't need to read one to read the other, but having read The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane first I caught some references that she makes to the characters from those novels. That's a fun treat for any reader. I really enjoyed the twist at the end and it had me thinking for quite some time after it.
If you're looking for a great dual past present novel, with a little intrigue I'd highly recommend this. And definitely check out Katherine Howe's other novels as well!
Title: Conversion
Author: Katherine Howe
Type: Young Adult
Genre: Dual Past Present/Thriller
Tea: Lady Earl Grey, something that you've had before, but different and exciting it it's own way
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Conversion by Katherine Howe is just as great as I expected it to be. I first discovered Katherine Howe when I was at Barnes & Noble in 2009 and saw The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane on their Barnes & Noble Recommends table. I picked it up and instantly fell in love. When she published her next novel, The House of Velvet and Glass, I couldn't wait to pick it up. Then I saw Conversion and knew I had to have it. Katherine is an amazing storyteller and I can't wait to continue reading what she puts out.
Conversion is marketed as a YA novel, but reads more like an adult fiction novel. It is well written and is not like your stereotypical YA novel on the shelf today. The story mainly takes place in Massachusetts at a private girls' school where students are mysteriously falling ill. This combined with flashbacks to Salem during the witch trials make for an intriguing premise and mystery that you can't get enough of.
The main character was relatable and not annoying (thank goodness). The romance side of the novel doesn't take over the plot and it is not a case of insta-love (more thank goodness). Katherine Howe really covers all the bases as to what is expected in a novel. I love YA, don't get me wrong, but if more were written as well as this one was, I wouldn't complain!
I liked that in the flashbacks in this book it was told from the girls' point of view, where in The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane it was told from the accused women's point of view. You don't need to read one to read the other, but having read The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane first I caught some references that she makes to the characters from those novels. That's a fun treat for any reader. I really enjoyed the twist at the end and it had me thinking for quite some time after it.
If you're looking for a great dual past present novel, with a little intrigue I'd highly recommend this. And definitely check out Katherine Howe's other novels as well!
megancrusante's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like the parts about The Crucible. I get how the 2 stories were related but I would have enjoyed this one more on it's own. It was well written and true to teenage voice and thought, and was darker and creepier with more of this underlying sinister vibe than the usual "teenage girls with unexplained illness is it from the hpv vaccine obv not this is a story but that is a hot issue right now" things I've read lately. Definitely recommend but maybe skip the alternate chapters-(they are totally unnecessary) and only read the present day story!
susannah_n's review against another edition
3.0
I seem to be in a bit of a trough. I'm not feeling driven to read anything lately, so I am putting this one aside.
Read to page 120 as of Feb. 16, 2015.
Read to page 120 as of Feb. 16, 2015.