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Hour of the Witch

Chris Bohjalian

Finish date: September 22, 2022

Discussion: HOUR OF THE WITCH

Why we're reading this: This book is one of the nine voted for by our group's nine month season. Read now for the September 22nd …more
[close] This book is one of the nine voted for by our group's nine month season. Read now for the September 22nd meeting. If Chris Bohjalian is on his game with this one we are in for a wild ride!

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HOUR OF THE WITCH

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By Genie , AUTHOR · 2 posts · 10 views

last updated Sep 19, 2022 12:13PM

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Mar 14, 2022 Trisha rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, thrillers

Mary Deerfield is a 24 years old woman living in Boston in 1662. She lives among the “faithful saved” where strict rules of behavior, appearance, thought and more are applied to women. Women are the weaker sex, predisposed to hysteria and witchcraft. Mary has been previously married as a second wife to an older widower Thomas Deerfield. When she is unable to produce baby Deerfield is embittered and blames her. He becomes prone to withering verbal attacks and drunken rages in which he cruelly bea Mary Deerfield is a 24 years old woman living in Boston in 1662. She lives among the “faithful saved” where strict rules of behavior, appearance, thought and more are applied to women. Women are the weaker sex, predisposed to hysteria and witchcraft. Mary has been previously married as a second wife to an older widower Thomas Deerfield. When she is unable to produce baby Deerfield is embittered and blames her. He becomes prone to withering verbal attacks and drunken rages in which he cruelly beats her. Still, Mary continues trying to be a good wife. Meanwhile a kind young man, Henry Simmons is attracted to Mary His attraction is mutual. When ultimately Simmons tries to kiss her, Mary resists. The act is unfortunately witnessed by a young girl. Despite the fact that nothing happened, Mary blames herself, afraid it is evidence that she is beset by demons and evil. Finally one evening Thomas picks up a three-tined fork and drives it through the back of Mary's hand. This convinces her that the marriage is not salvageable and that she must divorce him before he kills her.

Mary goes to her parents for help in making the request for a divorce. They see the evidence of his violence in her hand and with misgivings agree to help her. As the court hearing looms and rumors circle one of the judges sees the upcoming hearing as offering a desirable possibility of a witchcraft trial. Witnesses are gathered and examined and as they reveal suspicions about Mary’s character and reputation the situation begins to appear bleak. Incidents such as a servant girl finding a fork driven in the ground outside the Deerfield home is brought to attention as well as a “devilish mark” carved into her door-step. Mary’s known interest in medicinal herbs adds fuel. When a young boy fell gravely ill, she consulted and obtained herbs from a “suspicious woman herbalist.” She administered them to the boy, trying to help, but he died. The supposed kiss between Mary and Henry is brought up introducing the subject of adultery. The hearing, a farce, winds up with Mary’s request for divorce being denied. And it leaves the community more suspicious of what they see as aberrant behavior. She is instructed to return to her husband and Henry is brutally flogged for trying to kiss her.

Bojalian is an excellent writer and again creates a twisting, tightly plotted novel of historical suspense. Hour of the Witch is an important story of socially sanctioned brutality. It is a thoroughly compelling read. He skillfully portrays the New England of the 1600’s and creates interesting, well developed, believable characters. Just might add he is one of the best at portraying women well.
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