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. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and all but one by hanging. Five others, including two infant children, died in prison. The events that led to the witch trials began when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several women in the village of casting spells and practicing witchcraft. The accusations spread quickly, and soon dozens of people were accused, ranging from wealthy and influential individuals to those on the fringes of society. The trials were conducted in a chaotic and often unfair manner, with little to no evidence required to find someone guilty.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?
The new graphic novel The Magic Fish is a story about an immigrant mother and her young gay son telling themselves about each other through the shared medium of fairy tales. I grew up reading a lot of immigrant stories that were about the difficulty of parents coming around and understanding their children and supporting their children who grew up in a different culture.
The trials were conducted in a chaotic and often unfair manner, with little to no evidence required to find someone guilty. Spectral evidence, or testimony about dreams and visions, was deemed admissible in court, and the accused often faced intense pressure to confess to witchcraft in order to avoid execution. Those who maintained their innocence were often convicted and sentenced to death.
The Magic Fish
In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he’s gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories.
“One of the most astounding graphic novels of the year” –Entertainment Weekly
Tien and his mother may come from different cultures—she’s an immigrant from Vietnam still struggling with English; he’s been raised in America—but through the fairy tales he checks out from the local library, those differences are erased.
But as much as Tien’s mother’s English continues to improve as he reads her tales of love, loss, and travel across distant shores, there’s one conversation that still eludes him—how to come out to her and his father. Is there even a way to explain what he’s going through in Vietnamese? And without a way to reveal his hidden self, how will his parents ever accept him?
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel speaks to the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together even when we don’t know the words.
“A lyrical masterpiece.” –BuzzFeed
About The Magic Fish
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by the New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Publishers Weekly
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he’s been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
Real life isn’t a fairytale.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?
Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
About The Magic Fish
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he’s been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
Real life isn’t a fairytale.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?
Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
About The Magic Fish
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he’s been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
Real life isn’t a fairytale.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?
Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he’s been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
The hysteria surrounding the trials eventually subsided as influential members of the community, including the clergy, began to question the legitimacy of the proceedings. In the years following the trials, the affected individuals and their families were able to petition for reversal of the convictions and financial restitution for their suffering. The Salem witch trials remain a dark chapter in American history, highlighting the dangers of mass hysteria, fear, and prejudice. The trials serve as a reminder of the importance of due process and the potential for injustice when individuals are falsely accused without evidence..
Reviews for "The Role of Children in the Salem Witch Trials: Innocence or Manipulation?"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to learning about the Salem witch trials, but this special fell short of my expectations. The content was too brief and superficial, only scratching the surface of such a complex historical event. I was hoping for more in-depth analysis and discussion, but it felt like the whole thing was rushed. The production quality was also quite low, with poor visuals and audio that made it difficult to follow along. Overall, I was quite disappointed with this special and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of the Salem witch trials.
- John - 1 star - As a history buff, I was extremely disappointed with this special on the Salem witch trials. The information presented was basic and lacking any real depth. It felt more like a surface-level overview rather than a detailed exploration of the topic. Additionally, the presenter's narration was monotone and lacked enthusiasm, making it difficult to stay engaged. I was hoping to learn something new and gain a deeper understanding of the trials, but this special failed to deliver. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an informative and engaging documentary on the subject.
- Emily - 2 stars - I found this special on the Salem witch trials to be quite underwhelming. The pacing was off, jumping from one aspect to another without providing enough context or explanation. It felt disjointed and confusing at times. The visuals were also lacking and didn't add much to the overall viewing experience. I was hoping for a more immersive and engaging documentary, but this special fell short. If you're looking for a comprehensive and well-produced exploration of the Salem witch trials, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
- Michael - 1 star - This special on the Salem witch trials was a complete disappointment. The information presented was nothing new and lacked any real depth. It felt like a rehashing of commonly known facts without providing any new insights or perspectives. The production quality was also subpar, with poor visual effects and audio that made it difficult to understand. Overall, this special failed to capture my interest or provide any meaningful insights into the Salem witch trials. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a stimulating and informative documentary on the topic.