User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Thee will find this long and trying. Thou would be best served reading anything else.
Rating: really liked it
This is stunning, thought provoking and intense! A book keeps you on your toes, fists are clenched, your heart rates are skyrocketing, tension is building higher, you get more agitated at each moment to know what’s gonna come next!
This is truly twisty, disturbing ride and not for everyone!
Let’s take a closer look to understand the intense, dark, claustrophobic premise of this story:
It takes place in Boston, 1662. Young, innocent, beautiful Mary, only 24, taking eyes of people with her porcelain skin, penetrating blue eyes. But this is not historical romance story. Nothing in this story is about love. With her beauty, she can have so many suitor candidates but in this new world order, she is forced to become second wife of a Thomas Deerfield, a powerful, dangerous man who is abusive scumbag. Yes, he doesn’t resist to use his violent tendencies against his new wife.
Mary needs to do something urgently to get rid of this marriage. But it’s not quiet simple because she already gave so much wrong impressions to the people in the community. The tainted objects are found buried in the garden already earned her more scrutinizing, prying eyes of people.
And the boy’s tragic fate she tried to heal with herbs and special blend, a frightened girl’s running away from her house verify the suspicions that she might be a dangerous witch! Is she really? Now she doesn’t only have to run away from her abusive monster at the home, she also needs to prove her innocence not to be burned at the stake!
The book starts a little slow to give detailed picture about the psychological background and realistic approach of the surroundings, community life, introducing characters. But second half, it turns into something
breathtakingly sinister that you cannot put it down! And that meaningful, satisfying ending sealed the deal! I’m sold!
I’m giving four witchy, dazzling, heart pounding, dark, bleak, twisty stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for sharing this digital copy of riveting book with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Rating: really liked it
Hour of the Witch is a historical fiction novel sit in Bostin in the 1600's. Mary Deerfield is a 24-year old woman married to Thomas Deerfield. Thomas is not an ideal husband - he is a drunk and a wife beater. Mary decides that she is going to pursue the extreme step of divorcing Thomas on the grounds of cruelty. However, who is to be believed, a woman or a respectable man? What did Mary do to provoke this man? Will the tables be turned on Mary?
The plot of this book touches on an important issue - although Mary had many, many advantages that most women do not have. When women do initiate divorce proceedings, the question is usually, "What do you do to make him angry?" even in cases where men have beat their wives. The pacing of this book was a bit off at times, and I disagreed with such heavy use of foreshadowing or flat out spoilers at the beginning of the chapters. There were 2 major events in the book, and I think that it would have been better to cut this down to 1 or just blend them into one event. I also was not really enjoying the "How are thee? Thou are wonderful." dialogue, and I felt about 50% to 75% into the book that it was dragging a bit.
The author did do a fantastic job researching this book, and the vocabulary was quite sophisticated.
*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.
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Jan Animal Farm
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Rating: really liked it
Wow, wow, wow. I think I’ve been reading books by Chris Bohjalian my entire adult life? Early works like Buffalo Soldier, Midwives, and more recent ones like the thrilling The Flight Attendant are all books I've enjoyed. In Hour of the Witch, Bohjalian has penned a literary historical thriller involving the Puritans and possible witches in the 1600s.
Mary Deerfield is young and married to an older violent named Thomas. She yearns for something better for her own life, her marriage, and for all women in the colony. It’s perhaps due to this forward thinking among other things that leads to Mary being considered a witch, and her life is on the line.
Be prepared for a slower, more quiet start to this story as the author builds this colonial Puritan world. The latter half of the book is thrilling, dark, and addictive page-turning. The ending pays off in a big way. I highly recommend this heart-pounding, fully immersive novel, and can’t wait for what’s next from this most talented author.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Rating: really liked it
Hour of the Witch is a story of 24 year old Mary Deerfield. She's married to a well-to-do mill owner. Her husband is a drunk and abusive. Mary wants a divorce after the abuse has gotten worse. Divorce was a difficult matter in 1662 Boston where the whole town has a say AND the plaintiff is accused of witchcraft. I wasn't expecting this to be a legal drama.
A complete outlier for this unsatisfied listener. Over 85% of positive ratings are 4 and 5 stars on GR and Amazon. Although on Overdrive (audio) it receives less than 2.5 stars. I've been trying to enjoy the story but just couldn't. As of this writing, I am 2 hours away from the ending and I just don't see a three-star on the horizon. This is
not a thriller and I can't recommend the audio version.
Rating: really liked it
Boston 1662Mary Deerfield is a twenty-four-year-old woman married to Thomas Deerfield. Mary is Thomas' second wife. His first wife died after being kicked by a horse. Mary should feel lucky to be married to such a powerful man, but she lives in fear of his anger, his drinking, and his violence.
Mary knows she is talked about. She and Thomas have been married for five years and she is barren. She hides her bruises or explains them away when others see them. But the final straw comes after tainted objects are found buried in her garden. Her servant girl, already uneasy after Mary attempts to save her dying brother with herbs and simples, runs away from Mary's home, accusing Mary of being a witch. To make matters worse, when Thomas learns that their servant accused Mary of being a witch, he stabs a three-tined fork into the back of Mary's hand.
Mary decides enough is enough and decides to divorce her husband.
But Mary lives in a time where neighbors are spying on neighbors. If you are pointing the finger at someone else, no one is pointing their finger at you, right!?! Women are not allowed to speak their minds, stand up for themselves or have sexual feelings. Anything and everything can be used against you. Talk to a stranger - you are branded a whore! Try to use a natural remedy to cure an illness - you are branded a witch! Be different in any way shape or form, you are in league with the devil! Your husband can beat you citing bible verses and telling you it is for your own good. How did women back then even dare to leave the house? Books like these make me happy I was not born back them. Whew!
Slow to start, but it gains ground quickly. I love books set during this time frame and am fascinated by the accusation of witchcraft. Throughout history, people (especially women) have been maligned for being different. People have been persecuted for living or behaving outside of the norm. Was this the case for Mary? Judged for not bearing children, for being nice to strangers, for being intelligent, and for sticking up for herself.
I found this to be both thought provoking and captivating. I could not help but feel or Mary and her plight. There are even a few twists and turns which keep things moving and interesting. I even loved the language used in the book. It made this tale feel more authentic while also setting the mood. The mood is also set with the sense of tension that permeates throughout the book. This book is also atmospheric. I had an uneasy feeling throughout and kept thinking "nothing good can come of this." At times I wanted to take Mary aside and tell her "people are watching you, be smart, be cautious" etc.
Beautifully written and plotted. Hour of the Witch is tense, atmospheric, and thought provoking.
Thank you to Doubleday books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Rating: really liked it
3.5 Stars
Mary Deerfield, along with her parents, left England and travelled across the sea for a life in America, in hopes for a new land and new life which held much promise. For her father, he felt the religious call of the New World, and the chance for him to further build his established trade company. At the age of 24 Mary became the second wife of Thomas Deerfield, whose verbal, and physical, attacks have made her cautious, but not meek. Thomas is prone to drinking in excess, and taking out his foul moods on Mary, repeatedly belittling her by saying she has ‘white meat’ for a brain, as well as taunting her for her inability to conceive a child. His daughter, Peregrine, married shortly before Mary and Thomas, was close to Mary’s age, and already has children of her own, making Mary a grandmother.
Mary’s father imports items from abroad, objects not readily available in this new land. The finest lace, and the newest items making their way across the sea, along with other items not found in the colonies. Among the latest are three tined forks, which has recently become popular in England, but these puritans consider them to be
the Devil’s tines, and Mary’s father has gifted her with a set of six of these forks, which doesn’t sit well with Thomas.
Suspicions and rumours abound after two of these evil forks are spotted in Mary and Thomas’ yard. One night, in a fit of drunken anger, one will become used to impale her hand and breaking bones. Although it’s no surprise by whom, Mary will have a difficult time proving it, or finding a way to prevent further abuse. Instead, her declarations of the truth cause her to be shunned, ridiculed and desperately seeking her freedom from this ungodly marriage. She is a woman, and therefore assumed to be prone to hysteria, lying and labelled a witch if she is unhappy with the physical abuse she has been forced to endure in her marriage .
While not quite what I would consider to be a ‘thriller,’ there is an ever-mounting tension in this story, with a completely unexpected ending that I didn’t see coming.
Pub Date: 04 May 2021
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Doubleday Books / Doubleday
#HouroftheWitch #NetGalley
Rating: really liked it
A fictional story about domestic abuse during 1662-63 and its consequences for everyone involved.
Positive points:1. this was an interesting history lesson about Puritan women seeking divorce and/or being accused of witchcraft in 17th-century New England. The trial scenes were quite frustrating, in a riveting way, depicting the hypocrisy of the magistrates and their outrageous allowances of superstitions, conjectures, and outlandish opinions - overall, a total lack of neutrality! So many times, I would shake my head in disbelief and disgust;
2. I liked the element of mystery in this plot! Who
was trying to frame the main character, Mary Deerfield? Even though she had her supporters, several characters had it in for her; and,
3. I found that the spoken language was quite authentic for this time period.
But ... what were my biggest issues?1. Although many characters were unlikeable (and for good reason), many times Mary would make such unbelievably stupid choices, that I would often say, "Girl, what
are you thinking?" Was this a lame attempt by the author to include this book in the romance genre? In my opinion, this story could have easily worked
without that sideline;
2. Even though it had an interesting climax, the ending was, unfortunately, predictable; and,
3. Although several narrators spoke various, albeit small, parts in this audiobook, I thought the main narrator was quite lackluster. So many scenes required intense expressiveness, not a matter-of-fact telling of the events. Even
I read aloud picture books to youngsters with more expression!
All in all, even though this story contained some intriguing elements, I'm afraid it won't be a very memorable read for me.
My recommendation? Go for it! Read this book, especially if you are a fan of romance, but do so preferably in print form.
Rating: really liked it
Now a Goodreads Choice finalist in Historical Fiction! This was pretty boring for me, I’m sorry to say. I feel bad because the author seems like a really nice person, but I can’t pretend I deeply enjoyed my time reading this one. Even though the end had an amount of vindication, it just didn’t make up for the tedious 17th century courtroom drama that dominated the rest of the text.
Despite what the title may suggest,
The Hour of the Witch is firmly historical fiction, with the ‘witch’ aspect being contained to a couple of trials where it’s suggested a young woman may be in contact with the devil. It’s 1662 Boston and Mary Deerfield has been married several years to a man almost twice her age. She herself is not only at the mercy of an abusive husband, but also at the mercy of the court as she tries to untangle herself from his cruel grip.
I’ve read books like this before, and in my opinion if you’ve read one you’ve basically read them all. There’s a puritanical village terrified of anything different, usually scapegoating woman and POC. There’s suspicious townspeople who are constantly accusing the vulnerable with little to no evidence. And of course there’s the malignant patriarchy that abuses and excuses in all the old familiar ways. It’s predictable and it’s depressing, often with very little new insight on the matter besides
this bad thing happened, isn’t that so terrible??? Personally, I’ve stopped seeking out books about suffering for suffering’s sake. I know that this type of historical fiction is popular, but it really just exhausts me. This isn’t a poorly written book and you can tell the author put a lot of research into crafting it, but it’s just not for me. If you’re really in the mood for something with this vibe, I thought The Mercies was a little better done. And if you want something a little witchier, with a dash of actual,
ahem, magic, then I’d recommend The Once and Future Witches.
Not trying to fully discourage anyone from picking this book up, but I just want to make sure you know what you’ll be getting into. Thanks Carrie & Jordan for my MBC copy!
**
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Rating: really liked it
Thee might be better served by taking the devil's tines and driving them through ones own ear rather than listen to this audiobook.
Rating: really liked it
I think I’m an outlier here; I wasn’t a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian’s “Hour of the Witch”. It could be that I adored so many of his previous works that I had high expectations. Or it could be that I have lived most of my adult life in a town abutting Salem Massachusetts and the puritan witch stuff is something that I’m tired of. I would have passed on this if it wasn’t written by Bohjalian. To me, he is a gifted author.
On to the novel, Bohjalian did take an interesting angle in his story. He wanted to write from a woman’s perspective when she was in a bad marriage, one that is physically abusive so she wanted to get out of her marriage. At that time, divorce was rare. Additionally, it was a time of male dominated life. Men generally looked at woman as “helpmates” that need “discipline” from time to time. So, some beatings, in the men’s opinion, were warranted to train their women.
Our protagonist, Mary Deerfield is twenty-four years old, married to a man twice her age. Her husband had children from his previous marriage, the daughter being Mary’s age. Mary is barren, which is almost a crime. The townsfolk view her poorly since she is without child. What they refuse to acknowledge is her husband’s brutal behavior towards her. Plus, this is a time when the devil and witches are prominent in everyone’s eyes. Everyone is on the lookout for those who are possessed or are doing the devil’s bidding.
The first half of the novel, over 200 pages, provides the reader with the confinements of the puritanical life, especially for women. Mary decides to try and divorce her husband, and the court room part was interesting. Bohjalian provides reference books that he used to make this as historically accurate as he could. Thank God I didn’t live at that time.
The next half of the novel picked up for me. Mary comes under fire again when she’s accused of witchery. She needs to defend herself, and she needs to discover who is setting her up to look like she’s practicing witchery. The second half became a page-turner for me. It was more of what I truly enjoy about Bohjalian: his ability to write authentically and get the reader involved in the story.
This is difficult for me to rate in that I felt the first half of the novel was a snooze, but I do think it’s because I have been “over-witched” given where I live. It was interesting to see the legal part of that period, but it wasn’t particularly fascinating for me. The second half ended up being far more thrilling. I just expected more from the novel.
It’s good, but it’s not one of his best.
Rating: really liked it
With a bit of a slow start, I pushed through and found myself truly enjoying this book. With one strong courageous character, Mary Deerfield, we learn of the trials and hardship she experienced living with a tyrannical abusive husband. She's been hit, pushed, and even at one point had a thee prong fork (a sure talisman of the evil and the devil) pushed through her hand by Thomas, her husband.
Having endured enough Mary sues for divorce. Common enough these days but back in Boston of 1662, women were definitely required to take it all and keep your mouth closed. Thomas is diabolical enough to have all the excuses in the world for Mary's condition, not ever allowing anyone to see or even hear his explosive abuses. We, of course, realize that Mary's suit will go nowhere except to condemn her as perhaps a witch and a woman who needs to return to her husband.
Mary refuses to allow the abuse to continue for her lifetime so she enlists the help of another woman, an outcast, probably viewed as a witch, for so many people were, and forms a plan of escape. However, sadly, Thomas seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to Mary so her plan also seems doomed.
How or if Mary escapes a life of hell, keeps this book moving towards what the reader might think is inevitable but things do change and perhaps there is a glimmer of hope that Mary will be free.
Recommended to those who enjoy a book based in Puritan times and one that looks at the treatment of women as subservient to men and not their equals.
Rating: really liked it
4+ stars (Mild spoiler)
Although the year is 1662 in Boston and much has changed, I find some commonalities. For one, the supposition that riches are conferred by God. Today, it may be known as the Gospel of Prosperity. Secondly, while the patriarchal nature of society in 1662 recognized women’s rights in only the most marginal ways, I would argue that patriarchy is still a dominant feature in our society but fortunately for women, our rights are no longer ignored. Thirdly, classism was prevalent then and still is, today.
Mary finds herself in the fifth year of a loveless marriage with an older man. It's not his age that bothers her; it's the fact that he hits her and is mentally and emotionally abusive. Thomas hides a cruel nature behind a mask of religiosity. This irks me no end. My irritation grows because he is successful at appearing saintly and above reproach while abusing his wife. He misses no chance to deride or belittle Mary, thinking to take her down a notch. His hypocrisy knows no bounds as he lies about the causes of Mary’s bruises. To hide cruelty and abusive behavior behind a saint’s mask is the height of arrogance. It’s like riding the Devil’s broomstick into church. Mary is no saint but she’s not pretending to be one. She is flawed but she has insight into her feelings and attitudes.
I feel madder than a wet hen about what’s happening to Mary. What power over lives the magistrates wielded, and some like Caleb Adams in this story are only contemptuous of women. Language, which the Puritan man says is meant to instruct, is instead demeaning.
“Our covenant with God is spiritual. When a man weds a wife, there is a parallel. In this case, of course, it is a civil covenant. But consider the similarities. God loves a mortal, despite his foolishness and sin, just as a man should love his wife--despite her foolishness and sin. God loves a mortal, despite his weaknesses and craven impulses, just as a man should love his wife--despite her weaknesses and craven impulses. Though a woman may be willful and passionate and show behavior that is rife with pride, that does not demand the forfeiture of the marriage. She is a helpmeet, yes, but she is the weaker of the two vessels and must be cared for.” Men seem to stand in direct communication with God while women have to depend on their father/husband/son to interpret the divine for them. This often meant their entire lifepath was plotted by a man. Women in those times had little recourse. Thank God for the modern no-fault divorce. In 1662, patriarchy was informed by the Bible and therefore the 'word of God' was a way of life. Mary was brave, but she was also scared by Thomas’s violence. Mary is so angry, I almost wish she could be a witch and call forth hellfire and damnation on those who have condemned her to go and live again with her sorry ass husband.
This is the third book I've read by Bohjalian and with each book, I felt immersed in the time and place he is writing about. In this book, the dialog suits the era; it's peppered with thees and thous and prithees. It seems a little stilted and formal, but that is how they talked. Mary's interior dialog and spiritual battle fit what I know of Puritans. Since I attended a strict fundamentalist church in my youth and early twenties, I can readily attest that many Puritan values have come down through hundreds of years to beat about our brows today.
Rating: really liked it
In 1662 Boston divorce is almost unheard of. But under the strain of abuse, does the impossible become the plausible? Even if under the threat of death by hanging?
Mary Deerfield notices a pattern with her husband Thomas. He drinks, he hits her, and then goes away and drinks more. When he is busy at the mill that usually puts him in good spirits. Thus, drinking “only as much cider and beer as he needed to quench his thirst.” But one day, he stabs a fork into her hand flatly placed on the table to discipline her. And he isn’t even drink-drunk. According to the law, a husband has a right to discipline his wife. He doesn’t seem to see his brutality, but Mary does, and she’s reached the breaking point. She has heard of the word before. And it’s divorce.
There are some who envy her because of her parents’ wealth and privilege “in ways that few others were in Boston.” Her father, a renowned merchant, knows the governor and the magistrates, and he would know what to do to begin this process of divorce.
Per magistrate, her parents are reputable people, but her husband is also considered a man of good standing and reputation, owner of the largest gristmill in the North End.
But there is more to the story, which may have further complications. Mary finds two forks in the ground in the walkway to her house, then a pestle. Her servant girl thinks it’s some sort of spell. Certain things could get misconstrued and be perceived as Satan’s work. It’s a time when even the most nonsensical accusations could cause grievous injury.
Mary is a very likeable character. One readers sympathize with and want to see happy and out of harm’s way. She sees other women getting pregnant and that’s what she constantly prays for. Her situation is chilling, and yet she is willing to take another risky path to get out of the current one.
Thomas turns out to be not only a brute, but also a liar. At first his abrupt behavior keeps you on edge, but then his lies put you over the edge. His temerity leaves you speechless.
The time period is intriguingly depicted, from customs through novelty of a three-tined fork to the use of old language in dialogue (thy, thou, thee).
It is a gripping page-turner, written with beautiful prose and enthrallingly developed characters.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
Rating: really liked it
"The Puritan through Life's sweet garden goes to pluck the thorn and cast away the rose." (Kenneth Hare)
To exist in Boston and in the early Puritan settlements must have been the scourge of every young woman of the time period. Give thought that the beasts of the field had more value and received more affection than the wife at your own table. Pity the role of no voice, no opinion, no value, and no affirmation whatsoever. Just an existence to serve......
Chris Bohjalian has produced quite the tale of life in Puritan America in his latest offering of Hour of the Witch. I dare you to sit without fidgeting throughout this one. It will set your hair on fire.
Mary Deerfield had all the assets that would catch the eye of a man: her depth of beauty, her comely manner, her agreeable nature, and a father who was a successful merchant. On the other side of this equation is Thomas Deerfield a cruel, short-tempered brute of a man advanced in years and on his second marriage. Oh, a match made in Heaven.....
Mary, at twenty-four years old, knew nothing of what awaited her in this marriage. Her naivete would be her downfall. Thomas took to the drink like a sow to mud and stumbled home most nights ill-tempered and looking for a fight. His physical treatment of Mary was despicable and she bore it night after night. But there's a fork in the road here. A metal three-tined one that Thomas plunges into Mary's hand. The usual Thomas apologies, at last, fell on deaf ears the next day.
Mary bundles her hand in cloth and takes off to the home of her parents. Well now, peace at last. Not hardly. Mary's pursuit of a divorce will seal her fate. And the very people who take seats at the front of the church will be her accusers. Spies and on-lookers will pass judgment on the wrong individual.
Bohjalian creates an atmosphere of accusations, mistrust, and downright cruelty. His research and his presentation are spot-on for the time period. The dialogue reflects the mindset of Puritan America where fire and brimstone were served up in equal amounts. Hour of the Witch allows us to experience the role of womanhood under deep duress. We follow in the footsteps of Mary as she tries to make inroads into an impossible situation. Times change.....but so many modern women seem to continue to walk in those footsteps even today.
