In the late 17th century, the town of Salem in Massachusetts became infamous for the witch trials that occurred there. These events, known as the Salem witch trials, were a dark period in American history and continue to capture the imaginations of people today. The Salem witch trials began in 1692 when a group of young girls in the town began exhibiting strange behavior, including fits and seizures. These girls accused several women in the community of practicing witchcraft and causing their afflictions. These accusations quickly spread, and soon many others in the community were also accused of being witches. The accused witches were put on trial and faced a legal system that heavily favored the prosecution.
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The ship is bound for Salem, Massachusetts not exactly the ideal time and place for a young girl with an independent spirit to escape from witchcraft accusations. She is different from her Puritan counterparts she refuses to be part of the flock and thus, incurs suspicions when times are hard and a scapegoat is necessary.
The accused witches were put on trial and faced a legal system that heavily favored the prosecution. In most cases, the accused were presumed guilty until proven innocent. The trials often relied on spectral evidence, which was the testimony of the afflicted girls who claimed to see the shape or spirit of the accused witches harming them.
16 Books on the Salem Witch Trials to Kick Off Your Spooky Fall
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Holly Genovese
Staff WriterHolly Genovese is a Ph.D student in American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She is also completing graduate portfolio programs in African and African Diaspora studies, as well as Women's and Gender Studies. Her writing has been published in Teen Vogue, The Washington Post, Electric Literature, The La Review of Books, Literary Hub, Hello Giggles, and many other places.
I visited Salem for the first time a few weeks ago, and I still haven’t processed the experience. I have been obsessed with going to Salem for what feels like my whole life. I’m very interested in the history of Puritans and the trials, but equally fascinated by the town’s current obsession with witchcraft, which manifests in everything from cool witch shops to hokey tourist traps. But because fall is coming (though it doesn’t feel like it yet), I thought I would put together a list of must read books on Salem (or Salem adjacent, really). This is by no means exhaustive (not sure if that is even possible), so please comment with your own suggestions!
Fiction
- The Crucible. I figured I would get this classic out of the way. Though I think Miller’s representation of the Witch Trials is overly relied on (it is an allegory for the McCarthy Trials! They aren’t the same thing!) it’s an important and good read.
Nonfiction
- The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal and Hysteria in 1692 Salem by Stacy Schiff. While not as academically rigorous as some non-fiction on the trials, Schiff’s book is an engaging account of the events and a great starting place for those with little familiarity with the history of Salem.
- A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Witch Trials and the American Experience by Emerson Baker. In A Storm of Witchcraft, historian Emerson Baker argues that the perfect “storm” of events enable the Salem Witch Trials, and places the trials in the context of the broader Atlantic world.
- The Salem Witch Trials Reader. This reader features primary source documents from the time of the trials and is a great resource.
- The Witchcraft of Salem Village by Shirley Jackson. Definitely written for children, The Witchcraft of Salem Village is a brief accounting of the trials, worth picking up if you are a fan of Jackson.
- The Specter of Salem: Remembering the Salem Witch Trials in Nineteenth Century Americaby Gretchen Adams. In The Specter of Salem, Adams focuses on the ways in which the Salem Witch Trails were enshrined in the collective memory of Americans. A fascinating read, especially taken in the context of the continued tourism and fascination with Salem.
- The Salem Witch Trials: A Day by Day Chronicle of a Community under Siege by Marilynne Roach. I’ve never read a book quite like this, as it’s really a very detailed timeline of the Salem Witch Trials. If you want a very concrete idea of the events, than you can do no better then this very thorough read.
- The Oxford Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Magic edited by Owen Davies. This edited collection focuses on much more than Salem, but gives greater context to the witch trials in America and their memory in America.
- Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft by Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum. In Salem Possessed, historians Boyer and Nissenbaum explore the social history of Salem and the lives of those that made the witch trials possible.
Witch Child delivered the same message as WOBP: life was hard. Italicize the “hard.” Triple underline it.
This type of evidence was highly subjective and was based solely on the word of the afflicted girls. Many of the accused witches were subjected to harsh interrogation techniques, including physical torture, in an attempt to extract confessions. Those who confessed were often spared execution, while those who maintained their innocence were often sentenced to death by hanging. In total, 20 people were executed during the Salem witch trials, and several others died in jail while awaiting trial. The hysteria surrounding the witch trials eventually subsided, and the trials were officially ended in 1693. However, the damage had already been done, and the effects of the trials on the community were long-lasting. The Salem witch trials highlighted the dangers of mass hysteria, religious fanaticism, and the abuse of power. In the years that followed, the town of Salem faced a significant amount of shame and stigma for its role in the witch trials. Today, Salem has embraced its dark history and has become a popular tourist destination, known for its witchcraft-related attractions and events. The town has also made efforts to remember and honor the victims of the witch trials, with memorials and museums dedicated to their memory. The Salem witch trials serve as a chilling reminder of the dangers of intolerance, fear, and the unchecked power of the legal system. They continue to captivate historians and scholars who study the events in an attempt to understand what led to such a tragic and unjust chapter in American history..
Reviews for "Modern-day Witchcraft Practices in Salem, MA"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Witch Rees Salem MA". The writing was sloppy and the characters were one-dimensional. The storyline seemed promising at first, but it quickly became predictable and tedious. The author didn't do a good job of building tension or creating an atmosphere of suspense. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore the fascinating history and mythology of Salem, and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I found "Witch Rees Salem MA" to be incredibly boring and poorly written. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, and the plot was riddled with clichés. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about what happened to them. The pacing was slow, and I found myself constantly checking to see how much more I had to endure. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to a captivating witch-themed story set in Salem, but this book fell flat for me.
3. Robert - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch Rees Salem MA" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed. The author seemed to rely on cheap thrills and shock value rather than developing a well-rounded story. The dialogue was often cringe-worthy, and the characters felt like caricatures rather than real people. The book could have delved into the complex history of witch trials in Salem, but instead, it resorted to tired tropes and clichés. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.
4. Emily - 2 stars
"Witch Rees Salem MA" was a disappointment for me. The writing style was awkward and lacked finesse. The author tried too hard to create suspense but ended up delivering a convoluted and confusing storyline. The characters were flat and lacked development, making it hard to connect with them on any level. The overall pacing felt off, with slow and dragging parts interspersed with rushed and hurried scenes. It was a struggle to finish this book, and I wouldn't recommend it to others who prefer well-crafted and engaging stories.