The Heretic's Daughter: A Novel
by Kathleen Kent
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Book Summary Information
Author: Kathleen KentEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-09-03
ISBN: 0316024481
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Book Reviews of The Heretic's Daughter: A Novel
Book Review: Engrossing historical narrative centred around the Salem Witch Trials
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Heretic's Daughter", the debut novel of author Kathleen Kent is a gripping piece of historical fiction weaved in with fact. The story centers around the Carrier family and is narrated by 10-year-old Sarah Carrier whose family is made up of father Thomas, mother Martha, brothers Richard, Andrew and Tom and little sister Hannah. Sarah's relationship with her mother is fraught with tension and hostility as Sarah yearns for a more empathetic and outwardly loving mother, whereas Martha Carrier is a strong woman who takes care of her family, but is not prone to outward shows of affection.
The Carrier family move from their homestead in Billerica to Martha's mother's farm in Andover, and when Andrew Carrier contracts smallpox, the family is quarantined and Sarah and Hannah are covertly smuggled over to the home of Marha's sister and her family. Sarah comes to love her aunt and uncle and forms an especially close friendship with her kindred spirit, Margaret, a little girl around her own age. Their open displays of affection contrast sharply with Sarah's own family and she is reluctant to leave when the time comes. Unbeknown to Sarah, all is not as it seems and there are much greater tensions and animosity between her own family and her uncle's.
At the same time, strange and disturbing events begin to unfold in Salem Village, with a group of young girls going into fits, and accusing others of witchcraft. Trials are convened and many innocent victims are wrongly accused of practising the Devil's work, all at the whim of the young girls. In Andover, Sarah finds her own family being suspected of unholy alliances, especially given Martha Carrier's sharp tongue and rebellious nature. When Martha is arrested on the accusation of practising witchcraft, Sarah is forced to do the unthinkable in order to preserve her own life.
The narrative flows smoothly as the events unfold - from the day-to-day description of life amongst the Puritans, to the unsettling accusations and repercussions on the Carrier family and the settlers in general. The descriptions of farm life are vivid and paint a harsh life for the Puritans. Domestic life too is portrayed as being dreary with cramped living conditions etc. Spiritual life is also described in great detail with attendance at church or 'meeting house' being deemed a social necessity in order to keep one's good standing amongst the community, though politics play an integral part here with the 'good' pastor vs 'diabolical' pastor portrayed credibly.
Family ties is a central theme in this book, especially in exploring the relationship between daughter and mother. Sarah and Martha Carrier are both strong-willed, independent-minded individuals and their tenuous relationship is very well-portrayed - the mother seemingly harsh yet possessed of a great love for her children, and the daughter unrelenting in thinking the worst of her mother until events prove otherwise.
The witch trials themselves are compelling - the author has done her research well and readers get a clear picture of the miscarriage of justice during the trials, the pathetic living conditions of the accused [in prison], and of the politics and corruption underlying the trials and treatment of prisoners.
This is an excellent piece of historical fiction centred around an infamous period of American history, peopled with characters that are compelling, some we come to care about, and others are plain repulsive. Kathleen Kent has done a wonderful job of bringing the period to life and I look forward to her next effort with great anticipation. Also, for those who would like to delve deeper into the Salem Witch Trials, I would highly recommend "The Salem Witch Trials: A Day by Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege" by Marilynne K. Roach and " A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials" by Ann Rinaldi [YA novel].
Summary of The Heretic's Daughter: A Novel
Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch inKathleen 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.
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