Title: The Heretic's Daughter
Author: Kathleen Kent
Published: September 2008
Pages: 332
ISBN: 9780316037532
Source: Library Book
Description: Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.
Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution.
I Give This Book 4 Stars!
I have to be honest in saying the book was a little different for me. I think it's because you know what is coming. I kept thinking it was slow because I wanted it to get to the part were the panic has set in and people are being accused left and right. Man that makes me sound like I crave the gruesome. But, at the same time as thinking the story was slow, I would realize I was reading huge chunks of it in the blink of an eye. I guess I was thinking the story focused more on the witch trials, when that's not the case. It's about family and how they stand together during extreme circumstances. It's also about a very interesting relationship between a mother and a daughter and how that changes during this time. You do eventually get a sense of what it was like for those who stood accused of witchcraft, but it's such a small part of the story. It is amazing what this family went through. You get the sense that they are even stronger than what they were before such an ordeal. It left me thinking about it even after I read the last page.
I have two suggestions. The Bottom of the Sky, William Pack. This was the first book read by our Montana based but state wide club on facebook. It was excellent. The author is a Billings native and several of us know him. The read and discussion brought several 1975 classmates from Billings West High together.
ReplyDeleteOur next book is 600 Hours of Edward. The author is another Billings man. I am very anxious to read this. Thanks! pk
We actually do not have a website, sorry but a group on face book called Book Club Without Boundaries
ReplyDeletePeggy - I will have to look at The Bottom of the Sky. I've already read 600 Hours of Edward and thought it was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnd you can use the direct link to your facebook group(I think)as your website if you want. I bet it would work.