Thursday, May 14, 2009

Witch Child by Celia Rees

I am Mary. I am a witch. This is the beginning of Mary Newbury journal in 1659. After watching the witch trial of her grandmother, Mary escapes the prejudice of England and sets sail for America. She joins unlikely companions, the puritans. We are aware that this is a dangerous decision, yet what other choice is there? Is she really a witch? Did she really live? These questions are for you to find out as you read her journal.
This story reads very much like a journal would. There is not a lot of description of the drama. She cuts to the point quickly. I wish there had been a little more suspense to the story. And just when the story was getting good, it ends. There is a sequel to the book and I will definitely read it. This story made me think about what my life would have been like if I was born at this time. Would I have been considered a witch? Let's see
1. I am a nurse. I know healing powers and therefore have the power to kill (this came from the book)
2. I am opinionated. Not exactly a great point for women back then.
3. I read and write. It is not natural for a women to be educated. We should all be pious.
4. I love to dance. Didn't you know that we only dance when the devil has taken over our bodies.
5. I know how to swim. I would have failed the witch trial for sure. Well, they did tie your hands and feet together so I may have had a more difficult time swimming.
6. I don't like other people telling me what to do.
7. I like to wear pants, go out at night, wear bright clothes.
8. My husband loves the indians.

I am sure I would have been burned or hung as a witch. What a fascinating time period. These people lived in such fear and superstition and yet superstition was seen as a tool of the devil. Very confusing.

5 comments:

Suzette Bradford said...

But you are a good witch, like Glinda. Unfortunately they didn't know about Glinda back then. Another reason to be thankful you were born in the 20th century.

Amanda said...

It makes you wonder what kind of suspicion we are terrified of now. I'm thinking it probably has to do with the labeling of "terrorist." I think about the little kid held at the airport in interrogation because his name was on the no-fly list. Or of my father-in-law, who's Irish in his ethnicity but who has been repeatedly called "a dirty arab terrorist" by strangers because his skin is tan and he's got black hair and mustache.

Tanja said...

I am a good witch. Or would have been if I really could be labeled as a witch. I think you are right Amanda. People do strange things when they are afraid. I think people are less inclined to place the blame on the devil, but I suppose that is where the blame should be.
Also I stink at spelling and I don't re-read what I write so forgive me if I make mistakes

L said...

This book looks really interesting. It certainly doesn't take much to get people's panties in a twist these days. We turn up our nose at what was done in the past, yet we still do it today. At its basic form it still exists. If it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it's definitely not a chicken. We need to call it for what it is.

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