49 pages • 1 hour read
Hour of the Witch
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Book Brief
496
Novel • Fiction
Boston, Massachusetts • 1660s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian is a historical fiction novel set in 1662 colonial Boston, following Mary Deerfield as she seeks a divorce from her abusive husband, Thomas. Her bid for independence gets entangled in a societal fervor of witchcraft accusations, dark magic, and hysteria, leading to a dramatic trial that underscores themes of patriarchal oppression and mass hysteria. The novel entails domestic violence, self-harm, homicidal and suicidal ideation, and racism.
Mysterious
Dark
Suspenseful
Challenging
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
55,124 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Chris Bohjalian's Hour of the Witch receives mixed reviews. Readers praise its immersive historical setting and compelling protagonist grappling with a patriarchal society. However, some criticize the pacing and predictability. The novel's strength lies in its vivid depiction of 17th-century New England and its treatment of gender issues.
Who Should Read Hour of the Witch?
Readers who enjoy Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian are likely fans of historical fiction with strong, complex female protagonists, akin to The Crucible by Arthur Miller and The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent. They appreciate meticulously researched narratives that explore societal norms and personal resilience in Puritan New England.
55,124 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Thomas Deerfield
Thomas Deerfield
A 45-year-old miller and Mary’s abusive husband, emblematic of Puritan hypocrisy and the extreme patriarchal oppression prevalent in their community.
Catherine Stileman
Catherine Stileman
An 18-year-old servant girl working for the Deerfields, who becomes Mary’s primary accuser and harbors admiration for Thomas.
Peregrine Cooke
Peregrine Cooke
The same age as Mary, she is Thomas’s daughter and Mary’s stepdaughter, whose past experiences with Thomas bring another perspective to the narrative.
Henry Simmons
Henry Simmons
Mary's love interest, known for his coal-black hair and independent thinking, who supports Mary in her pursuit of personal agency.
Constance Winston
Constance Winston
An older woman embodying a defiant spirit against Puritan norms, who becomes a significant source of support and guidance for Mary.
Caleb Adams
Caleb Adams
A young and vocal magistrate whose views reflect the misogynistic and biased legal ideologies within the Puritan society.
496
Novel • Fiction
Boston, Massachusetts • 1660s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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