I recently watched a captivating **documentary** on **Netflix** about the **Salem witch trials**. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between **February 1692** and **May 1693**. This historical event has always fascinated me, and this documentary provided a detailed and well-researched account of the events that unfolded during this dark period in American history. The **documentary** started by exploring the **social, political, and religious climate** in Salem during the late 17th century. It delved into the **puritan belief system** and how superstition and fear were rampant in the community. This **contextualization** was crucial in understanding why the witch trials occurred and how they escalated to such an extreme extent.
“It died with Grand-mère,” Agnes said. “Those were great days, when the crystal lived, but those days are no more.”
Belz was also on the sea, or at least on an estuary leading to the sea, but she would miss the menhirs scattered around this field like ancient sentinels, watching unperturbed as years and people passed by. Ursule had been just three years old when she realized that the letters on shop signs or in advertising posters spoke words to her, as if the writers of those letters were whispering their meaning in her ear.
This **contextualization** was crucial in understanding why the witch trials occurred and how they escalated to such an extreme extent. The **documentary** then went on to discuss the **initial accusations** of witchcraft. It explained how a group of young girls started exhibiting strange behaviors and claimed to be under the influence of witches.
The great witch of brritany
27 January 2022
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Beautifully told story of origins
This was my first Louisa Morgan book and what I can say is that I really enjoyed it, and it certainly won’t be my last. In fact, in that respect I have a question about this author’s other books – do I need to read them in a certain order? I think all the books are standalone stories but just thought I’d check.
Anyway, this book tells the story of Ursule Orchiere, how she came to know magic, her ability to read the ancient Grimoire passed down by the Orchiere women and the tenacious way she holds together her family.
The story starts when Ursule is a young girl and we get a feel for the life she lives. Her mother tells fortunes and Ursule collects the coins. Ursule has been fed stories of the Orchiere women and their magic and longs to inherit magic of her own and be part of the story. These are difficult times for women. Witch hunters obsessively search for their next victim to feed the flames and women with knowledge of herb lore are persecuted.
I loved the way Ursule tells her story. The scene is set really well and I just found myself sinking into the tale with ease. There is a palpable sense of fear and a genuine feeling of helplessness amongst the travellers. Gangs of men literally swoop indiscriminately through the camps snatching up women to terrorise and torture. Ursule’s mother finds herself accused and from here things take a different turn but I won’t go further into the story.
What really appealed to me with this story is that it was so easy to get into. The sense of period is beautifully evoked. The hard lives that people led really comes across well and the strong family ties also simply ooze off the page. If you put the witching elements to one side this feels like an impressively rendered historic piece and the descriptions and writing just pulled me in. It just felt like an incredibly comforting read somehow – which, given the darker elements of the story, is an impressive achievement.
On top of this I really liked Ursule and her familiar Drom. I’m not sure that any of the other characters were as well drawn but given that Ursule is the central figure I didn’t have any issues with this. In fact, the other characters felt almost greyed out which felt somehow appropriate given the lonely way Ursule lives. She is a loner, not necessarily by choice, and in fact even though she eventually feels as though she’s surrounded herself with loved ones she still very much comes across as a lone figure.
In terms of criticisms I don’t have any. I can say that this is not a book that you can read quickly and to be honest I don’t think you should try to wolf this down in a couple of sittings. This is a book to be savoured and enjoyed. So, if you fancy a piece, very female centric, focusing on witchcraft and strong family ties, that actually has a kind of payback for the magic used, then give this a go. It really is a delicious morsel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It felt like the right book at the right time and it worked really well for me. A lovely story of inherited magic and one woman’s life and struggles.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
These girls accused several individuals in the community, leading to a wave of arrests and trials. The **documentary** provided **transcripts** from the trials and interviews with historians, shedding light on the **flawed legal proceedings** and **mass hysteria** that gripped Salem. One of the most fascinating aspects of this **documentary** was its exploration of the **psychological and societal factors** that contributed to the witchcraft accusations. It delved into the **jealousy**, **revenge**, and **power dynamics** that played a role in fueling the accusations. It also discussed how the **gender** and **social status** of the accused influenced their likelihood of being considered guilty. Throughout the **documentary**, interviews with historians, experts, and descendants of those involved in the witch trials provided **insightful commentary** and different perspectives on the events. The **combination** of expert analysis, historical records, and personal stories made the documentary engaging and thought-provoking. Overall, this documentary on the **Salem witch trials**, available on **Netflix**, is a **must-watch** for anyone interested in American history, social psychology, or the darker aspects of human nature. It provides a detailed and well-researched account of the events, while also offering valuable insights into the psychological and societal factors that contributed to this tragic episode in history..
Reviews for "Casting Shadows: A Gripping Documentary on the Salem Witch Trials Now Streaming on Netflix"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really excited to watch this documentary on the Salem witch trials, but I was ultimately disappointed. The narration was confusing and hard to follow, jumping from one person to another without any clear context. The reenactments were also poorly done and felt more like a low-budget drama than an informative historical documentary. I was hoping for a deeper analysis and exploration of the events, but instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied and confused.
2. Mark - 1 star
I would not recommend this documentary on the Salem witch trials to anyone. It was incredibly biased and seemed more interested in sensationalizing the events rather than providing a well-rounded perspective. The experts interviewed were also questionable, often presenting personal opinions as facts without any substantial evidence. The lack of critical analysis and objectivity made it difficult for me to take this documentary seriously. If you're looking for a comprehensive and well-researched examination of the Salem witch trials, look elsewhere.
3. Emily - 2 stars
As a history enthusiast, I was excited to see a documentary on the Salem witch trials. However, this particular film fell short of my expectations. It focused more on the hysteria and drama surrounding the events rather than delving into the underlying causes and historical context. I found myself wanting more information and detail, but the documentary remained surface-level throughout. Additionally, the pacing was off, with certain aspects of the events receiving too much attention while others were barely mentioned. Overall, this documentary didn't live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied.