Review: The Heretic’s Daughter
The Heretic’s Daughter
Kathleen Kent
Back Bay Books, 2009
ISBN 031602449X
Trade Paperback
For me there are numerous mysteries of life, most of which involve how we humans treat other humans (and animals). My list includes but is not limited to:
Inhumane treatment of American Indians;
Slavery;
and
The Salem witch trials.
How could our ancestors have made major advances in so many different improvements in our life and given us the building blocks of what we enjoy today, but have been so clueless about people and justice?
The Heretic’s Daughter is the fictionalized account of the Salem witch trialswritten by Kathleen Kent, a tenth generation descendent of the real life Martha Carrier who was tried as a witch and executed in 1692.
The story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts and is told from the perspective of Sarah Carrier, daughter of Martha. Sarah is not close with her mother or her father, both of whom she finds stern and cold. When smallpox strikes her brother, Sarah is sent to the home of an aunt and uncle where she forms a close bond with a cousin. Life in this setting is so different and enjoyable that Sarah resents being brought home when the smallpox crisis has passed.
Life in 17th century New England was bleak; the fear of Indian attacks, isolation, the challenges of farming and being subject to punishment at the whim of witch hunters made life difficult, to say the least.
According to the author’s account and supported by historical sources, being accused, imprisoned and executed as a witch was accomplished without evidence and on capricious information by a person or persons who simply may not have liked the accused or felt slighted or even envious or revengeful toward the accused. The conditions in the prisons were deplorable and the family of the accused was responsible for providing food to the imprisoned. The prison also held children as was the case of the Carriers: Sarah herself along with a younger sibling were also arrested and spent time in prison. Sadly, Sarah met up with her mother as well as her beloved cousin while in prison.
Interestingly, if a person admitted to being a witch, prison and death could be avoided.В Martha Carrier maintained a strong sense of justice and continued to profess her innocence until she was executed. Men as well as women were executed for supposedly practicing witchcraft. Indeed, four men along with Martha were executed on August 19, 1692. Despite Sarah feeling unloved, she did eventually gain an understanding of her parents.
As a descendent of Martha Carrier, Kathleen Kent grew up hearing stories about the Salem Witch Trials. This book is her debut novel which is very well written and, no doubt, researched to fill in the gaps. It’s a book I know I’ll never forget and I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Jean Tribull.
February 18, 2010
Tags: historical fiction Posted in: Full Reviews
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