Recommendations by Christy H.
In the new horror film “The Witch” a family is cast out of
their Puritan village for somewhat hazy, although most definitely religious,
reasons. William and Katherine decide to build their own homestead right at the
edge of the untamed New England wilderness. However, they and their five
children soon learn that there is something unnatural lurking in the woods. And
while that something is dangerous so is the fear and paranoia slowly growing
within their own family.
After seeing this, I went on a
book-adding frenzy for my to-read list – anything relating to Puritans or
witches. Here are a few that I’m looking forward to reading (and a
recommendation I’ve already read.)
Fiction
The
Minister’s Daughter by Julie Hearn
Nell is a healer, herb
gatherer, and midwife.
Grace is a minister’s daughter: refined, sweet, and
innocent.
These two women could not be more different, and when Grace
and her younger sister start pitching fits and speaking in tongues suspicious
eyes look to Nell.
The
Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent
Martha and Sarah Carrier are
like most any mother and daughter. They love each other but they are often at odds
with each other as well. Sarah stands by her mother, however, when Martha is
accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts.
Susannah
Morrow by Megan Chance
Fifteen year old Charity is
trying to cope with her first young heartbreak which isn’t easy to do when
there is no one to turn to for comfort. Charity‘s mother died in childbirth and
her stoic Puritan father has been withdrawn ever since. A small hope comes in the form of her aunt
Susannah Morrow who has arrived from London.
But independent Susannah
struggles in the strict community. Suspicion towards her begins to grow and
soon “the
fanaticism, repressed emotions and sexual guilt in Salem explode into a form of
hysteria that will make its name infamous.”
The
Fever by Megan Abbott
This book
isn’t about Puritans, and it’s not set in the past. It’s not even really about
witches. But the comparisons are easy to see.
When
Deenie’s best friend seizes up in class in what can only be described as “a
fit” rumors fly faster than Deenie can keep up. Soon girls are having fits left
and right and no one can explain why. As hysteria and suspicion grow, Deenie
struggles to understand what is happening.
Non-Fiction
Six
Women of Salem: the Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem
Witch Trials by Marilynne K. Roach
Most people
know the story of the Salem Witch Trials. Many even know prominent names of
some of those involved. But Roach zeroes in on six specific women in an effort
to transform trivia tidbits into real, three dimensional human beings.
A
Delusion of Satan: the Full Story of the Salem Witch Trials by
Francis Hill
Called a
“grisly read and an engrossing one”, Hill details the Salem Witch Trials from the
spiteful accusers who seek vengeance to a four year old “witch” who was chained
to a wall.
American
Jezebel: the Uncommon Life of Ann Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans by Eva
LaPlante
Although
not specifically about witches, Ann Hutchinson was certainly called that -
among other pejorative terms like “instrument of Satan” and “Jezebel.” Her only
crimes seemed to be hosting a weekly religious study group (of sorts) in her
home and expressing discontent with local ministers, or as someone more directly
put it: “[being] more bold than a man.” Tried and banished from her own
community, Hutchinson made an everlasting impression in women’s history.
