reviews
Apr 27, 2008
Julie
rated it: 
I understand that this was a difficult read; there were lots of details and it was hard to put the whole picture together. Many rabbit trails. However, I must say that I'm very glad to have read this book and am very happy to know about Anne Hutchinson's life. I'm fairly amazed all that she accomplished and really surprised that I never knew about her, before. She is not a feminist that waves a NOW sign and burns her bra, but she is an assertive, intelligent person who happens to be a woman.
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Dec 29, 2008
Kate
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dude, this book is so sweet. It has given me a solid sense of the history of the Europeans who settled what is now Boston. It's fun to read about what happened in the place you currently live. As someone employed peripherally by Harvard, it's also funny to think about what LaPlante says near the beginning of the book -- that Harvard college was essentially founded to protect the MENZ Important Learnings from Evil Womenz Witches like Anne Hutchinson.
This book stirs pride in my little More...
This book stirs pride in my little More...
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Aug 11, 2011
The author of this book started off professing her intention to make the book a neutral examination of Anne Hutchinson's life. While I will give her the credit for trying, she did not succeed. Her feminist hero worship of Anne and, what seemed to me to be a distain of religion made the task all but impossible for her.
This is not to say the book is without merit. I may have learned a great deal about the way early Puritan settlements worked and how their members viewed the world. I say may becau More...
This is not to say the book is without merit. I may have learned a great deal about the way early Puritan settlements worked and how their members viewed the world. I say may becau More...
Feb 07, 2011
Michelle
rated it: 
I love my book club dearly and love the challenges it offers. Let's face it--I never would have chosen this book for myself (even though I agreed it sounded interesting) and I certainly would NEVER, EVER have finished it without the pressure of the club. That said--this was the worst book I read in 2010. And yes, I did start this in 2010. Like in October. And I didn't finish it until the last day of January 2011 (because I told myself this could NOT drag into February).
The topic is More...
The topic is More...
Jun 05, 2009
Kathleen
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This is an interesting examination of the trial of Anne Hutchinson by the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for heresy in holding meetings in her home to share her interpretations of what the preachers had taught and what the Bible said.
In the process of this examination, the author gives brief, and in some cases, not-so-brief, descriptions of the lives and histories of not only Anne and her family members, but also many of the other people in New England at that time--those wh More...
In the process of this examination, the author gives brief, and in some cases, not-so-brief, descriptions of the lives and histories of not only Anne and her family members, but also many of the other people in New England at that time--those wh More...
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Feb 04, 2011
Bridget
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If I could, I'd give this 2 1/2 stars. I liked it, but parts of it were slow. The most interesting part was Anne Hutchinson's trial. The book begins with the start of the trial, but its progress is frequently interrupted by chapters of backstory. I can't think of a narrative structure that would have worked better, but I frequently felt frustrated when such a break would come just as I'd gotten absorbed.
There were also some speculative moments where the author said things like "A More...
There were also some speculative moments where the author said things like "A More...
Nov 10, 2011
Beth
rated it:
I'd like to give it four stars because of the material and the thoroughness of the research. But lots of the book is really hard going, with flashbacks and side trails and discussions of rather arcane religious philosophies. However, Anne Hutchinson is a fascinating character; I knew her name and a tiny bit about her but was amazed by her intellect, resolve, and refusal to back down before the leaders of the Mass. Bay Colony. Perhaps Anne deserves another book that humanizes her and lets the
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Apr 06, 2011
Robert
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Eve Laplante’s American Jezebel is an engaging exposition of one of America’s most notable forgotten women, Anne Hutchinson. Creating vivid scenes of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Rhode Island, the Dutch occupied New Amsterdam (later to become New York), and through historical flashbacks, Laplante manages to draw the reader into the, at times, laborious and uneven narrative structure of the Hutchinson trial. It quickly becomes evident that the real issue for then Governor John Winthrop is not
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Dec 10, 2007
Xysea
rated it:
A great book about an extraordinary woman!
She is the basis for Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic, The Scarlet Letter. Quite scandalous at the time, she did manage to successfully survive the Puritan onslaught.
This book is the story of how she did it.
She is the basis for Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic, The Scarlet Letter. Quite scandalous at the time, she did manage to successfully survive the Puritan onslaught.
This book is the story of how she did it.
Sep 04, 2011
Jonelle
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I was really interested in reading something about Anne Hutchinson and Anne Bradstreet after reading Geraldine Brooks' excellent new book "Caleb's Crossing". This book, "American Jezebel", not only provided background on Hutchinson (and a little for Bradstreet), but also helped deepen my understanding of why America is so schizophenic about religion and the role of women in society. While the book was a bit of a slog at times, Anne Hutchinson's story is unbelieveable. Born i
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Jan 08, 2011
Phair
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Was not overwhelmed by this book- far too much of the religious doctrine and not as much about the woman herself, especially lacking in coverage of her time in Rhode Island. The then & now maps were especially useful and I liked how the author went into what remains now, who went where after events in the book and who/where her descendants were. Can't say I was as impressed by Hutchinson as I expected to be apart from her drive to be recognized for her opinions despite being a 'mere woman'.
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May 15, 2009
Kristine
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Anne Hutchinson's life story came to life for me in this book, writtten by one of Hutchinson's descendants. Hutchinson must have been physically strong in addition to being intellectually gifted. She left England with a husband who was a LOVE-Match and a horde of children (she had a bunch more in America). She lived in colonial Mass. -- Cotton Mather was sympathetic -- where she conducted home study circles of sorts for women-- that was allowed by the Puritan authorities --John Winthrop and
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Sep 01, 2009
Sheri
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Anne Hutchinson has an amazing story. She was not afraid to stand up for her beliefs even though in the 17th century, women really did not exist or have "public" lives. I was captivated for the first half of the book but then the writing style and recanting of the numerous meetings held on what to do with Anne became a bit tedious. I ended up skimming for the last half of the book. I'm glad I skimmed rather than just put the book down - I did not realize how her life ended nor the
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Jan 06, 2010
Giedra
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This book was very slow going for me, but I'm still glad I read it. The author, a descendant of Anne Hutchinson, describes the trial of Anne Hutchinson that was conducted in early 17th c. Boston on the charges basically of "preaching" but probably more accurately, of speaking critically about other local preachers. The author reviews written records of the trial, as well as personal correspondence/memoirs of many of the key players in order to write her history, and fills in the edges
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Jul 22, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
Themes: gender roles, religion, separation of church and state, individual freedom versus community
Setting: Massachusetts 1638 or so
Anne Hutchinson was a terrible threat to the Puritan fathers of Boston. She discussed scriptures. And she was a woman. That's really about it. She also didn't agree with them, but I think even if she had, the idea that a woman was perfectly capable of reading, writing, reasoning, and preaching was going to make them very uncomfortable, no matter wh More...
Setting: Massachusetts 1638 or so
Anne Hutchinson was a terrible threat to the Puritan fathers of Boston. She discussed scriptures. And she was a woman. That's really about it. She also didn't agree with them, but I think even if she had, the idea that a woman was perfectly capable of reading, writing, reasoning, and preaching was going to make them very uncomfortable, no matter wh More...
Jan 30, 2009
Matt
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I really enjoyed this book. LaPlante was thorough in her research even to the point of painting pictures in the minds of the reader about what Hutchinson's walk to the court house would have beem like.
You really see how harsh authoritarian leaders can be with a Bible in their hands. In an effort to protect their doctrine which they believed to be the truth of Christ, they ended up going to far and not acting like Jesus at all. I know they all lived in a different culture and that More...
You really see how harsh authoritarian leaders can be with a Bible in their hands. In an effort to protect their doctrine which they believed to be the truth of Christ, they ended up going to far and not acting like Jesus at all. I know they all lived in a different culture and that More...
Dec 15, 2008
Jess
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I really enjoyed this book even if it was a bit dry in areas. I don't know if it was more interesting to me b/c she was my great (something) grand-mother. She produced a great many political and religious leaders throughout American history. She almost feels like an American mother b/c of how many of her desendents followed in her footsteps. She was a truly amazing woman.
Jan 10, 2010
PB
rated it:
Not going to finish this one. Though it's the only recent biography on Hutchinson, I still can't recommend it. The author reads contemporary identity politics back into the colonial world, and she fails to explain why Hutchinson's prosecutors would find it rational to think the way that they thought. Sloppy, vitriolic popular history.
Mar 27, 2010
Lisa
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What I liked about this book is what I learned about who Anne Hutchinson was and why she had the courage to defy the Puritans. This was a much more rigid and intolerant society than I ever before realized. Anne was a good Christian woman who knew the Bible as well as her accusers. She had common sense, a supportive husband, and a loving family to stand behind her. Her demise was shocking, after all she'd been through. I appreciated the author's research skills, but did not enjoy her literar
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Feb 04, 2010
Tayla
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I enjoyed learning about Hutchinson, but her story the book was weighed down by an overabundance of minor details about the people surrounding her making it a difficult read in some spots. While I appreciate the extent of the research that went into the book and understand that it's important to understand the context of the story and lives of those involved I found it distracting. Overall, though, I'm glad to have a better understanding of Hutchinson's role in American History. Also, glad I was
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Jun 23, 2011
Jen
rated it: 
Amazing story of Anne Hutchinson. Wow! The Puritans leaders were real 'gems.' I didn't care for some of the author's commentary at the end, but the information in this book is priceless. From the actual transcripts of the court proceedings.
Oct 29, 2008
Susan
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I didn't finish it before I had to take it back to the library. I do, however, recommend it. I think it gives a good glimpse into a world of moral and spiritual upheaval unlike ours today, yet also very like it as well. Groups trying to define themselves. New orders being formed. Conflict between individuals within the groups as institutions become solidified. How "us" versus "them" can lead to all sorts of problems. Anne Hutchinson and her husband are a great example
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Mar 06, 2011
Mechele
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The American Jezebel is the life story of Anne Hutchinson. She is remembered as the woman who defided the Puritans.
Jun 08, 2009
Annette
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I found this book interesting. I like that Anne stood up for her beliefs. Religous freedom is so important.
Oct 13, 2010
Sydney
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This was a book club selection that was rich in historical detail but it was a little slow for my tastes. It was interesting to read how some of her descendants are current powerful political figures.
Apr 24, 2010
Amalia
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A fascinating figure handled heavily. There were far too many peripheral details included, just it seemed, to prove that LaPlante had found them in her research. Her research was extensive, but the presentation was sorely lacking in style. I learned a lot, though, and am looking for better crafted texts on the era.
Nov 05, 2008
Jennifer
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A well researched historical biography of Anne Hutchinson. The first part of the book concentrated on her trial and the trial proceedings which were kind of hard to follow based on how dry trials can be, but also because of the language style. Though it did rile me up that it was a time period where women weren't expected to have much of a brain, let alone speak outside of the house. It's too bad her life was cut short. I would have loved to read how she may have conducted herself in old age
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Mar 03, 2009
Donna
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I really enjoyed this book. It is well-written, fascinating, and imformative. Anne Hutchinson was an amazing, intelligent woman living in a very diffucult setting.
A note on the writing style: The author uses a narrative non-fiction style, which mostly works. Her one problem with not using a linear style for a biography is the amount of repetition she creates. A good editor should have cleaned that up.
A note on the writing style: The author uses a narrative non-fiction style, which mostly works. Her one problem with not using a linear style for a biography is the amount of repetition she creates. A good editor should have cleaned that up.
