Book Bag Rating: Read it!
This is a story about the Salem Witch Trials and is largely based on the author's own family history. It is not uplifting and happy but tells the awful truth about this part of our history. Despite the gloomy nature of the story we do see many human qualities to be admired and many to be abhorred.
It is the story of the Carrier family told by 10 year old Sarah whose Mother, Martha is one of the first to be arrested for being a witch. Martha is a strong-willed, self-assured woman who does not show affection easily. She and her husband Thomas do their best to raise their children under the scrutiny of the puritanical ideals of early New England. The hardships of life at this time included the threat of death by Indian raids or illness. There seemed to be very little joy in the Carrier home and yet we learn there is fierce loyalty and enormous strength.
Prior to reading this book, I had a romanticized view of the witch trials and often thought about visiting Salem around Halloween because let's face it what could be creepier than "real" witches at Halloween. Now I know what these men, women and children endured was cruel and inhumane. Driven by fear and mob mentality many innocent people were put to death and their families tortured into turning on one another. Any illness, bad luck or good luck for that matter could and often would be attributed to witchcraft. If someone had a grudge against you they could avenge it by accusing you of being a witch. Many people were imprisoned in deplorable conditions for unreasonable lengths of time during these trials.
Despite the horror of the story we see redemption in many of the characters. We see incredible strength and abysmal cowardice. There are secrets and promises.
I really liked this book and the story is one that will stay with me. I liked the author's writing style and the historical fiction aspects of the book. It is not a cheery book and not for those who need a happy ending.
