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Reviews tagging 'Racism'
The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World by Malcolm Gaskill
2 reviews
sheriffrockyraccoon's review
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
As someone who was very interested in the Salem Witch Trials and also lives very close to Springfield, I was intrigued by this part of history I had not heard of before. Malcolm Gaskill does a phenomenal job bringing the colonial era to life, one that we may not have known about otherwise.
Gaskill’s writing is beautiful and visual, I loved being able to read about this history from a novel-like perspective as it truly helped immerse me in 1650 Springfield. I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at first, however, with Gaskill repeating himself each chapter almost word for word at some points. It was a bit frustrating, especially considering this book really seems to be about witches and witch trials when in reality it is much more focused on colonial society. If you are expecting a courtroom drama or magical testimonies- look elsewhere. That being said, I do believe the book is incredibly interesting and provides small details about life in New England you would not get in a history book covering a well known event.
The one thing I truly struggled with was the Epilogue, its narrative completely changed the entire book. For one, Gaskill’s biases come out in full force in a way that makes me question the point of his research. He speaks very ill of modern Springfield, which I found disappointing, but that’s more of a personal issue because I tend not to like many British people. Anyway, I wish the Epilogue had focused more on his research (like his “Sources and Methods”) and had been less explicit. He writes about Hugh and Mary helping form Springfield and being ultimately forgotten, but it felt so absolute that it took away the reader’s ability to draw conclusions from the story themselves. I felt talked at, rather than felt I learned.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in American colonial history, with much less of a focus on religion and superstition. The content is interesting and new, even if the pacing is a bit awkward at first.
Gaskill’s writing is beautiful and visual, I loved being able to read about this history from a novel-like perspective as it truly helped immerse me in 1650 Springfield. I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at first, however, with Gaskill repeating himself each chapter almost word for word at some points. It was a bit frustrating, especially considering this book really seems to be about witches and witch trials when in reality it is much more focused on colonial society. If you are expecting a courtroom drama or magical testimonies- look elsewhere. That being said, I do believe the book is incredibly interesting and provides small details about life in New England you would not get in a history book covering a well known event.
The one thing I truly struggled with was the Epilogue, its narrative completely changed the entire book. For one, Gaskill’s biases come out in full force in a way that makes me question the point of his research. He speaks very ill of modern Springfield, which I found disappointing, but that’s more of a personal issue because I tend not to like many British people. Anyway, I wish the Epilogue had focused more on his research (like his “Sources and Methods”) and had been less explicit. He writes about Hugh and Mary helping form Springfield and being ultimately forgotten, but it felt so absolute that it took away the reader’s ability to draw conclusions from the story themselves. I felt talked at, rather than felt I learned.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in American colonial history, with much less of a focus on religion and superstition. The content is interesting and new, even if the pacing is a bit awkward at first.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
scarlettoliver's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Grief, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Blood, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
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