Want to listen to an arresting audio book?

Then listen to The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent., a compelling historical novel that is primarily set in the Andover-Billerica area of Massachusetts in the 1690s.  The narrator is Sarah Carrier, an observant child often at odds with her shrewd mother Martha.  Based on the accusations of a dozen young girls, Martha is eventually accused of being a witch, is arrested, and is carted off to Salem village and imprisoned to await trial. As hysteria escalates, Sarah herself is accused of witchcraft and imprisoned at the tender age of 8.  The prisoners are entreated, and if not successful, tortured to confess their allegiance to the devil. Martha Carrier, adhering to her strong principles refuses to do so even though it will put her family in difficult circumstances.
     Author Kathleen Kent writes eloquently of her ancestors Martha and Sarah Carrier during that perilous time.  Augmented by the author’s notes, this book provides a window upon which to view these tumultuous events that rocked the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1690s.  Watertown author Marilynne K. Roach, in The Salem witch trials : a day-by-day chronicle of a community under siege, gives  the real-life account of Martha Carrier’s trial.  After hearing this audiobook or reading of the day-to-day chronicle of life in Salem, you’ll not think of the Salem witch trials in the same way again.

 

Written by Reference Librarian Ellie.

View other blog posts>>

Category: 
Staff picks
New books

Comments

Submitted by Diana Barlow (not verified) on Sat, 09/29/2012 - 8:40am
I am so glad that I listened to the audio of The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent. I found it to be extremely well-written and compelling. I was appalled by the extent of the hysteria, by the horrendous prison conditions, and by the effects that the Salem Witch Trials had on so many individuals and families in the wide geographical area so close to where we live today. As difficult as it is to have to delve into this sad period of our history, I feel it is important to understand the dynamics playing themselves out at that time to ensure that we don't repeat them in the future.

Submitted by Ref_Desk on Wed, 10/03/2012 - 6:46pm
Yes, Diana, the contagion of the hysteria which was transmitted to some members of the clergy and leaders was frightening. I hope I am not amiss in passing along an opinion from Marilynne Roach, author of "The Salem witch trials : a day-by-day chronicle of a community under siege", that for her taste she did not care for the rearrangement of history; she did like what the author did for the character of Martha. Thank you for responding.

Add new comment

Feedback