Witch Child
By Celia Rees
About the Author
Celia Rees is an English author of more than twenty books, including the book Witch Child which was first published in the year 2000. Her novels are mainly historical although she has written books from vampires to Shakespearean times. Witch Child has been published in 28 different languages. She did receive an award for her book WIth Child.
Lines from Book
"What will be, will be, but to know too soon will color someone's life, darkening the hue for them, stealing the light" (1)
"...put their trust wholly in God's guidance and themselves under His direction" (2)
"Lies are not rooted in the mind in the way truth is." (3)
Importance
Patience (1)
The book focuses on patience, because things take time. Mary is traveling to a whole another world, and adjusting to a new environment takes time.
Faith (2)
Religion and following God is a major theme in the book. It also focuses on the way a person during this time is supposed to live spiritually. Faith and trusting God is key in this novel.
Honesty (3)
The concern in this book is the signs and practicing of witchcraft in the town of Salem. Mary had a grandmother that was hung for being a witch, and she has put on a front so no one suspects that she is a witch herself.
Main Conflict
The main conflict in the book is that Mary and a group of girls were seen dancing in the storm which was a practice of witchcraft, A boy then pointed at Mary and told everyone that she was a witch. Mary then got Martha to help her run away from Salem so she would not suffer the consequences of being accused of a witch. She was never found.
Interests
Traveling
Moving to a totally new world seems scary yet interesting to me. Mary had to leave her hometown after the loss of her parents and her dear grandmother, and travel lonesome. She met new people, and discovered new things. Her life was completely changed.
Meeting New People
I found it interesting that she quickly bonded with the other characters in the book. For me, it would be hard to get adjusted to new people and be with them all the time. She becomes close with characters such as Tobias, Jonah, Martha, and others.
Tolerance
The ability to hide the fact that her grandmother is a witch was interesting to me, and how she tolerated and did not react when people spoke of witchcraft.
Historical Events
Witchcraftt
Witchcraft was an earth based religion that was practiced among all societies and cultures around the world. It began in the 1600's and many were hung in certain areas for practicing it.
Salem Witch Hunt
The Salem witch hunt began in the 1600's, which is the time the book is based off of. Women in Salem were being accused of and hung for practicing witchcraft. Everyone inspected others making sure that they were not doing witchcraft. It was a small town and many were caught being a "witch".
Witch Trials
Not only were people on the hunt for witches, they were taken to court for being accused. There, people either stood for them or against in front of the court of law. Witches were held in court either proving innocence or guilt.
Book Review
After reading the book, Witch Child, I would say that it is a good book that i would encourage anyone that is interested in witchery and the history of it to read. It was interesting and it kept me wanting to read more. I almost could not put it down. The imagery is displayed so well it feels as if the you are on the journey with Mary and her new befriended friends. I enjoyed the suspense and the characters that are in the book.