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A review by mybooksarenovel
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
5.0
Kit Tyler is sailing from her home in Barbados, after the death of her grandfather, to live with her mother's sister in New England. She grew up hearing from her mother of Aunt Rachel's radiant beauty and has idealized for herself what living with her will be like. Far from it however, is her aunt who lives in the Puritan village of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Though Aunt Rachel is kind, the Puritans are pious and strict in their work, religion, and politics. Kit finds herself strongly at odds with their ways and struggles to fit in. Especially when befriending a Quaker woman who was branded and exiled from Massachusetts as a witch. But how can befriending someone who is lonely be wrong, or against what the Bible teaches about loving your neighbor?
I just recently read this book aloud to my children, and remembered very little of it from when I read it as a middle schooler. The only thing I really remembered was loving it then, which I can honestly say hasn't changed now that I've reread it as an adult.
The thing I loved most about it were the opposing beliefs displayed. The differing views were communicated without the author coming out and clearly taking a bias. It mostly served as a commentary on how people, from the best to the worst have biases, and that they see the world through that bias. For example Kit grew up with slaves and had no problem with them as servants, while Uncle Matthew and Aunt Rachel believed slavery to be wrong. The minister was an English loyalist, while Kit's aunt and uncle were patriots if the colonies. Some were superstitious about and held prejudices toward others as witches, or didn't keep company with others of a different faith, both withholding hospitality, friendship, and kindness, but Kit held with the philosophy of loving your neighbor. Such a depth of commentary in such a small and simple book.
A true classic.
I just recently read this book aloud to my children, and remembered very little of it from when I read it as a middle schooler. The only thing I really remembered was loving it then, which I can honestly say hasn't changed now that I've reread it as an adult.
The thing I loved most about it were the opposing beliefs displayed. The differing views were communicated without the author coming out and clearly taking a bias. It mostly served as a commentary on how people, from the best to the worst have biases, and that they see the world through that bias. For example Kit grew up with slaves and had no problem with them as servants, while Uncle Matthew and Aunt Rachel believed slavery to be wrong. The minister was an English loyalist, while Kit's aunt and uncle were patriots if the colonies. Some were superstitious about and held prejudices toward others as witches, or didn't keep company with others of a different faith, both withholding hospitality, friendship, and kindness, but Kit held with the philosophy of loving your neighbor. Such a depth of commentary in such a small and simple book.
A true classic.