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 descendant 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. From the publisher's website.
Although classified on the cover as a novel, this book has been given a Dewey Decimal number of 813.6, placing it amongst the auto/biographies on the library bookshelves. I was intrigued to find that the author herself is a direct descendant of the main character.
I truly enjoyed this book despite the length of time I took to read it. The beginning was great; I got right into the story and became a little girl again - telling secrets, having sleepovers and making up stories - with Sarah and Margaret. However, when young Sarah and little Hannah return home to their parents the story slows down significantly. There are many building blocks that need to be worked in and although the add to the overall richness of the tale they also weigh it down. Reading through these building blocks was well worth the time and effort because when the trials start the story comes to life again!
Kathleen Kent spent five years researching and writing this story from her past. As her first novel, I commend her for a story well told - a story so personal and controversial. I cannot imagine the research that such an endeavor would entail. She included details that makes one feel as if you are there in the cells with the accused; I can see the clothing they wore, the filth around them and the manner in which they speak. Their world was one so different than our own that the author undertook a great task to take the reader back so many years and she was successful. I look forward to seeing more books on the shelves by this author.
I know the book is a work of fiction based on fact, letters and research, but this was my first real encounter and understanding of the Salem Witch Trials. I mean, you hear that phrase from time to time, but I would guess that for the general population we do not grasp the magnitude what what happened and the agony those individuals and families experienced. Kathleen Kent helped me to understand that better. My interest in the topic has been peaked and I can see myself delving deeper to get an even better understanding by studying the facts myself.
You can buy a copy at Amazon or check to see if your library carries this great book.
Disclosure: The Heretic's Daughter was graciously sent to me by Hachette Book Group.
