A review by shannonmarie83
Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore
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!
‘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!