Reviews

Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore

chelz286's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a really fascinating read, based off of a true person accused of witchcraft in the author's family lineage. Susannah North Martin was accused of witchcraft in spring 1692 and this novel is the imagined retelling of what happened during her time in jail as well as her life leading up to this point. The Salem Witch Trials are still such a fascinating topic and little is still known really about how this got to be what it was during that time. Once accused, there was hardly anything anyone could do to prove their innocence and that title sadly became a death sentence. Unlike a few others accused, Susannah had lived most of her life already and had raised her children and welcomed some grandchildren as well but others were not so lucky. I highly recommend this read for anyone who is interested in the Salem Witch Trials as the author does add historical court records through out the novel. I loved the back and forth of the story of telling Susannah's life. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord. 

heiditighe's review against another edition

Excellent book! Good back and forth between past and present day. Tons of tears.

carrieksnider's review against another edition

5.0

This is a great book! I like how the author weaved the main character's present (in jail awaiting trial) with her years meeting her husband. The love story was as sweet as the trial was bitter. There were a few times where I thought the word choices were too current. But overall I loved it, especially since it was based on a real person -- the author's ancestor.

vickimarie2002's review against another edition

5.0

I have always found the Salem trials very interesting and very sad, of course. I am also a fan of Heather B. Moore and the fact that she wrote a book about Susannah Martin whom she is descended from, was a must read for me. Great writing and great view on what those poor women had to go through.

katiereads42's review against another edition

5.0

This was a very good and interesting read. It's based on true events and I highly recommend you read it.

shannonmarie83's review against another edition

4.0

I have spent my day reading Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft, a beautifully written historical fiction novel, by Heather B. Moore. Moore seamlessly intertwines flashbacks of Susannah and George Martin’s young love story with the accusations, judgment, and hanging of Susannah. Although the accusations and trial are included, the real focus of the story is that of life, love, and family.

‘It was as if the love I knew he felt for me reached across the space between us as if no one else was around.’ Susannah is a strong willed, Puritan woman who finds in George a love true enough to endure the trials and tribulations of life. A life harder than most due to accusations from church and community members beginning early on in their marriage. Knowing that Susannah Martin was the 10th great grandmother of Moore, brought more meaning to this story. I felt instantly invested in the life and love created by Moore in respect to her own family member.

‘We are afraid. Afraid of life and of death. Afraid of another being stronger or wealthier or happier than we are. So we tear them down.’ Both during the Salem trials and today, this statement rings true. Moore encapsulates this very human trait both in Susannah’s story and the stories of the others surrounding her in jail. By including these other women, taken from historical records and trial documents, the full scope of how people can and will turn on each other for their own profit is in full display. ‘They do not have the courage to speak the truth, but rather they’d join in with the other accusers so that they, themselves, might be seen as innocent. Fear drives men and women to do mad things.’

This was my first time reading anything by Heather B. Moore. Moore is a beautiful writer and I am looking forward to reading more of her work!

beckiebookworm1974's review

3.0

where to start, I have always been interested in history and have had a fascination in what I have heard about the Salem witch trials. But as where past publications have focused more on the proceedings and accusations, and I found even through being gripped and appallingly focused on these disgustingly disgraceful and inhumane actions from supposedly human Christian beings, that it was the achingly beautiful love story between Susannah and George that set this apart. everything else, in my opinion, was background noise to the real story, the human being behind the supposed witch Susannah North Martin the mother, the sister, the daughter and wife and what a woman she was.The whole time I was reading I was on the verge of tears the contrast to the young Susannah starting off her life journey and then being in that awful cell facing that abysmal future of death by hanging and knowing she had also lost her George seven years earlier well it really got to me (second book this year to make me cry sigh). I think it was also the knowledge that the author was Susannah's descendant and knowing that we are dealing with real historical events it just made it more vivid and real, I just wanted Susannah and George to be reunited even if it was in death. my overall impression of condemn me not is this is a profound deeply emotional piece of history and fiction beautifully woven together. I received a free e-copy of this book and this is my own honest opinion.

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sarahrobins11's review against another edition

4.0

This was a real good surprise. I didn’t expect much but I really was intrigued bu the storyline. I never knew much about the Salem witch trials but this book peaked my interest. I loved the fact that it went back and forth between prison life and last life and I felt really bad for the accused: a shocking story.

mysticfaerie's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

First person narrative of the witch trials written by a direct descendant.  

ghumpherys's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars. This book is based on the life of the author's ancestor, Susannah North Martin, who was accused and hanged during the Salem Witch Trials. Knowing this going into the story, I wondered how it could possibly be a happy or hopeful tale. And while the ending is indeed heartbreaking in many aspects, I found that the interwoven tale of Susannah's meeting, courtship and early marriage with her husband George provided a perfect balance. Their love story gives the reader a greater sense of Susannah's full and rich life and gave the story humor, love and hope. It also helped further emphasize why the Salem Witch Trials were such a tragic part of our nation's history.
Note: I received a free e-book copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.