Hour of the Witch is a captivating historical fiction novel written by Chris Bohjalian. Set in Boston in 1662, the story follows the life of Mary Deerfield, a young Puritan woman who finds herself trapped in a loveless and abusive marriage. Living in a society that strictly adheres to Puritan values and beliefs, Mary's life is governed by religious laws and patriarchal control. However, as her husband becomes increasingly cruel and refuses to grant her a divorce, Mary decides to take a drastic step to free herself from her oppressive circumstances. Mary secretly turns to forbidden practices and begins seeking the help of a local healer, a woman with rumored connections to witchcraft. As the tension in the town rises and accusations of witchcraft spread, Mary's actions become even riskier.
"Chris Bohjalian's latest thriller is a nail-biting historical novel about a woman whose quest for a divorce in 1662 Boston might just end with her being branded as a witch. In Hour of the Witch, 24-year-old Mary Deerfield is desperate to escape her violent husband, Thomas. But in the New World, where every woman is under suspicion for being a witch, her desire to escape her marriage may end up sending her to the gallows if she isn't careful."
—Pop Sugar
"Themes of women’s agency in a patriarchal society are common in historical novels, but this fast-moving, darkly suspenseful novel stands out with Bohjalian’s extraordinary world-building skills. . . Will have readers racing toward the ending.”
—Historical Novels Review
"Hour of the Witch is a gripping page-turner, written with beautiful prose and enthrallingly developed characters.”
—Mystery and Suspense Magazine
But in the New World, where every woman is under suspicion for being a witch, her desire to escape her marriage may end up sending her to the gallows if she isn t careful. When tainted objects are discovered buried in Mary s garden, when a boy she has treated with herbs and simples dies, and when their servant girl runs screaming in fright from her home, Mary must fight to not only escape her marriage, but also the gallows.
As the tension in the town rises and accusations of witchcraft spread, Mary's actions become even riskier. With the threat of execution looming over her, Mary must navigate a treacherous path to protect herself and secure her freedom. Bohjalian skillfully weaves historical details into the narrative, capturing the essence of life in 17th century Boston.
Chris Bohjalian’s thriller ‘Hour of the Witch’ is historical fiction at its best
Mary Deerfield, the main character of Chris Bohjalian’s new novel, “Hour of the Witch,” is a poster child for the proverb, “Marry in haste, repent at leisure.” Having come to Boston as a teenager with her wealthy Puritan parents and lacking sufficiently suitable suitors in this rough, half-civilized place, she marries a well-to-do widower twice her age, one Thomas Deerfield. It doesn’t go well. Deerfield’s courting manners soon vanish, revealing him as mean and petty in speech, given to drink and physically cruel. Worse: He can’t get her pregnant but not for lack of trying.
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This is 1662. Plainly, if a married woman isn’t pregnant, she’s barren, and Mary’s feelings of failure don’t help her sex life. She discovers private joy and considers it a gift from God as minor compensation for her marriage, barren of happiness as well as children. Mary finds plenty of material for her nightly fantasies in visions of comely young men she glimpses on the docks or in her father’s office.
If a Puritan woman with a powerful and unashamed sex drive makes you blink, you may want to check your expectations at the door when you open this book. Given the title, the cover design and the time period, readers might assume that the story deals with a presumption of black magic, public suspicions of women as workers of same, and a witch trial. You do get those things — but that’s not all.
AdvertisementDespite her husband’s noticeable flaws, Mary is a dutiful wife and takes pains to hide her bruises. Until the night when her husband, drunk yet again, snatches up one of the newfangled three-tined forks that Mary’s father — a wealthy merchant — has given her and stabs it through her hand. Mary is dutiful, but not a doormat, and shocked and enraged, she makes up her mind to divorce her husband.
Readers always bring themselves to a book. Thus, when reading a historical tale, a shadow of the present always falls upon the past. Our assumptions about morality and behavior swim just under the surface of the reading, and our half-conscious responses to a story set in a time not our own are echoes of what we see as “right.” Historical fiction holds up a mirror to the past; good historical fiction holds up a mirror to the present.
“Hour of the Witch” is very good historical fiction. One of Bohjalian’s great strengths is his research; another is his sense of humanity. By the accretion of lavish detail, he’s able to show us a real world and the people who live in it. He also gives us someone with whom to empathize: Mary is admirable in her determination, independence and clearheadedness. At the same time, she is a person of her own time, and Bohjalian makes clear how the systems of that time work.
AdvertisementWe’re subtly brought to understand how a community that hanged a small, female Quaker for the crime of preaching in public also has a judicial system that gives a voice to abused or neglected wives. Divorce wasn’t common in 17th-century Boston, particularly if the complainant was a woman, but it was done.
Share this article ShareYou might think you know where this is going: Young, intelligent woman who dares to exert her own agency is warned about causing trouble but does it anyway, filled with a sense of her own righteousness. She is, of course, then denounced as a witch and railroaded by malice, ignorance, superstition and the universal tendency of human beings to catch hysteria from one another and tell lies from boredom, self-interest or a desire for importance (see Twitter, any day of the week).
Such things happen; still, it’s not the patriarchal frame-up you might expect. We see, in minute and inexorable detail, just how evidence can be manipulated, ignored, created, and the law itself be traduced. But the tale is told against a solid background of domestic violence, female rivalries and solidarity, and an evenhanded sense of fairness regarding the community in which these events take place. The importance of the religious nature of daily life is woven into the story, not imposed upon it. God and the Devil are real to the Puritans of Boston and the “praying Indians” to whom they’ve spread their faith — sufficiently real that Mary at one point speculates as to the Devil’s gender, concluding (with some cause) that “He most definitely wears breeches. The Devil can only be a man.”
The reader is transported to a time where superstition and fear grip the community, and innocent individuals are persecuted in the name of righteousness. Through Mary's journey, Hour of the Witch explores themes of women's empowerment, religious intolerance, and the lengths one is willing to go to escape an abusive relationship. Bohjalian depicts the constraints and challenges faced by women in this era, shedding light on the oppression they endured and the difficult choices they had to make. The author's meticulous research and attention to detail bring the story to life, immersing the reader in the harsh realities of Puritan society. The characters are well-developed and relatable, providing a deeper understanding of the emotional turmoil they experience. Hour of the Witch is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of love, power, and the fight for freedom. It is a tale of resilience and the strength of the human spirit amidst adversity. Bohjalian's storytelling prowess keeps the reader engaged throughout, with unexpected twists and turns that keep them guessing until the very end..
Reviews for "The Trials and Tribulations of the Protagonist in Hour of the Witch"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Hour of the Witch". The plot was slow and predictable, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. The historical setting had potential, but it felt superficially researched and lacked depth. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.
2. John - 1 star - "Hour of the Witch" was a major letdown for me. The writing style was uninspiring, and the story felt disjointed. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book, as it failed to captivate my attention. The characters were flat and lacked development, making it hard for me to care about their fates. I wouldn't waste my time reading this book again.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Hour of the Witch", but unfortunately, it fell short. The pacing was slow, and the plot lacked originality. The protagonist, in particular, felt like a generic representation of a strong female character, rather than someone with depth and complexity. The historical backdrop was interesting, but it wasn't enough to salvage the overall lackluster story. I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
4. Michael - 1 star - I found "Hour of the Witch" to be incredibly boring and mundane. The narrative was tedious, and the plot failed to hold my interest. The characters were forgettable, and I couldn't bring myself to care about their struggles. The historical aspect felt forced and was overshadowed by the lackluster storytelling. I regret wasting my time on this book and would advise others to avoid it.