"Something terrible happened in Salem in 1692 . . . but it isn't what you think!"
THE AFFLICTED GIRLS A Novel of Salem by author-researcher S...
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Dec 12, 2011
JoAnn
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Imagine a town, carved out of wilderness nearly four hundred years ago by a small group of settlers. The leaders who ruled this colony were guided by the Bible and English law, and by their own ruthless determination. Residents who did not bow to the colony’s governors and ministers were expelled. The colony survived internal conflict and a brief war with the region’s indigenous people, and came to prosper.
Sixty years later, most of the old leaders have passed to their heavenly re More...
Sixty years later, most of the old leaders have passed to their heavenly re More...
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Aug 24, 2011
Alle
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I enjoy reading stories set in Colonial New England and The Afflicted Girls was no disappointment. The time-period detail of daily life was especially interesting and the insight into 17th century politics. Two orphans, Abigail and Mercy, arrive in Old Salem seeking a better life. Abigail is the niece of a high-born minister who struggles to maintain his station. The minister farms Mercy out as an indentured servant to a demented woman and her drunkard husband who are tortured by the lack of
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Mar 16, 2010
Gwyn
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This realistic novelization of the Salem Witch Trials was a joy to read. I often shy from historical fiction, particularly novels in which the author has held close to the true events (as Witten clearly has done), because I usually find them dry and lacking in a clear narrative voice. Witten's novel suffers neither of these defects -- her characters are fully developed with voices that inspire sincere empathy. Witten provides a rational and convincing set of circumstances that could realisticall
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Dec 10, 2011
Wendy
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The Salem Witch Trials have fascinated people for over 300 years. A frenzy of accusation and executions, followed by recantation and vindication—but much too late. It’s the stuff of horror stories.
How could this madness be triggered by the wild accusations of children and adolescents? Oh, so easily. There’s always someone who has something to gain...
The author has spun a terrifying tale, drawing us deftly into the minds and hearts of the major characters. Her story makes sen More...
How could this madness be triggered by the wild accusations of children and adolescents? Oh, so easily. There’s always someone who has something to gain...
The author has spun a terrifying tale, drawing us deftly into the minds and hearts of the major characters. Her story makes sen More...
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Mar 09, 2011
Ana
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The Afflicted Girls / 978-0-615-32313-8
It is my belief that any historical novel must be subjected to two questions in a review - first, is the material historically accurate, and second, is the material pleasant and engaging to read.
In answer to the first question, as an avid student of the Salem witch trials, I can say that "The Afflicted Girls" is the least historically-accurate Salem artifact I have encountered. Much of the novel feels like a very loose re-write of Arthur Miller's More...
It is my belief that any historical novel must be subjected to two questions in a review - first, is the material historically accurate, and second, is the material pleasant and engaging to read.
In answer to the first question, as an avid student of the Salem witch trials, I can say that "The Afflicted Girls" is the least historically-accurate Salem artifact I have encountered. Much of the novel feels like a very loose re-write of Arthur Miller's More...
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Feb 11, 2011
Shellie (Layers of Thought)
rated it:
Original review posted at Layers of Thought.
Actually 4.5 stars.
When two young friends, both orphans, arrive in Salem MA in 1692, the litigious and imbalanced nature of a community sets in motion a horrific series of events. The author uses a unique perspective around why she thinks this may have occurred.
About: This is set around actual events where the warped moral boundaries and a desire for revenge inflame the emotions of a local pastor and a selfish young More...
Actually 4.5 stars.
When two young friends, both orphans, arrive in Salem MA in 1692, the litigious and imbalanced nature of a community sets in motion a horrific series of events. The author uses a unique perspective around why she thinks this may have occurred.
About: This is set around actual events where the warped moral boundaries and a desire for revenge inflame the emotions of a local pastor and a selfish young More...
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Dec 13, 2011
Suzy
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THE COPPERFIELD REVIEW
A Journal of History and Fiction
Winter Issue 2011
"The Afflicted Girls"
Review by Paula Day
There is that stand by concern about how historically accurate one must be when writing historical fiction. Some will argue that writers of historical fiction should be 100% accurate, as if novelists were stand-ins for historians. After all, they say, if one is writing with historical information, then one should share that informati More...
A Journal of History and Fiction
Winter Issue 2011
"The Afflicted Girls"
Review by Paula Day
There is that stand by concern about how historically accurate one must be when writing historical fiction. Some will argue that writers of historical fiction should be 100% accurate, as if novelists were stand-ins for historians. After all, they say, if one is writing with historical information, then one should share that informati More...
Apr 07, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Reading this book was a lot like watching the movie The Titanic. No matter how hard you gesture toward the screen, you can't make that boat turn faster. No matter much I hoped for certain characters to triumph, I knew what was coming. The story is heart-breaking at times, fills you with anger one moment, and then leaves you with a glimmer of hope. Very well written, this story will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and leave you reflecting on on human nature both historically and
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Jun 26, 2011
Beth
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Very interesting. Suzy Whitten weaves an intriguing tale. Not entirely historically accurate but engaging. Note, this is a dark story with a strong sexual element so not appropriate for YA readers.
May 04, 2011
Elizabeth
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My review - more 2 and 3/4 stars - my review - http://xoxoxoe.blogspot.com/2011/02/affl...
Jun 16, 2011
Moriah
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Superb story, well-researched, skillfully written and highly entertaining.
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Mar 08, 2010
Julie
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My full review is available here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3019...
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3019...
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Apr 13, 2010
I'm afraid I was not able to "get into" this book. Note: There are somewhat explicit sex/rape scenes. I'm not stating whether that is good or bad, just a warning. I did not expect that for this book.
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