“This woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures of this world; and she did now throughout her whole trial discover herself to be such a one. Yet when she was asked what she had to say for herself, her chief plea was that she had led a most virtuous and holy life.” —Reverend Cotton Mather, 1692USA Today Bestselling author Heather B. Moore brings the life of her 10th … 10th great-grandmother to center stage. Susannah North Martin, accused of witchcraft in 1692, joins five women in the Salem Jail, all sentenced to death for their crimes. Amidst tragedy, Susannah finds hope and compassion as she remembers a well-loved life, and readers discover that love reaches far beyond the grave as Susannah faces the magistrates in Salem.
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Condemn me not by Heather B Moore was absorbing. I have always been interested in history and have had a fascination in what I have heard about the Salem witch trials. But as where past publications have focused more on the proceedings and accusations, and I found even through being gripped and appallingly focused on these disgustingly disgraceful and inhumane actions from supposedly human Christian beings, that it was the achingly beautiful love story between Susannah and George that set this apart. everything else, in my opinion, was background noise to the real story, the human being behind the supposed witch Susannah North Martin the mother, the sister, the daughter and wife and what a woman she was.The whole time I was reading I was on the verge of tears the contrast to the young Susannah starting off her life journey and then being in that awful cell facing that abysmal future of death by hanging and knowing she had also lost her George seven years earlier well it really got to me (second book this year to make me cry sigh). I think it was also the knowledge that the author was Susannah’s descendant and knowing that we are dealing with real historical events it just made it more vivid and real, I just wanted Susannah and George to be reunited even if it was in death. my overall impression of condemn me not is this is a profound deeply emotional piece of history and fiction beautifully woven together. I received a free e-copy of this book and this is my own honest opinion.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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a different aspect to stories of the Salem witch hunts. This family-centered tale is new and enlightening.
This book was an inspiring and eye opening read about the tragedy of the Salem witch hunts. It gave life to the victims. By the end of the book I felt like I knew these brave women. I won’t think of the Salem witch hunts the same way after having read this page turning story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book at the end John Green Leaf Whittier wrote a poem on Susannah and he is related to her and I am related to him sooooo
Great story about witch trials.
well written and thoroughly researched, I really enjoyed this slant on the witch trials of Salem.
Historical fiction isn’t my usual genre, but for some reason, this one caught my attention, and I’m glad that it did. I learned a lot about the time period that I hadn’t known. I really liked the way that the author alternated between “now” and “in the past” to keep the story from being too dark. While the end of the book was not a surprise, I appreciated the positive note that Moore interjected. So much of our illusion of the Puritans is that they didn’t have any “normal” feelings or emotions; I liked that George and Susanna seemed just like regular young adults. I highly recommend this book!
This was an excellent insight to the Salem Witch hunts. What a dark place in our history.
I would recommend the book, but with a first-person narrator, the story ends with this woman’s execution, leaving the reader without a sense of closure concerning the 1692 witch trials. Nevertheless, an interesting personification of one of the accused and hanged historical women of this time.
Thought provoking look at the Salem witch trials. Sympathetic character caught up in mass hysteria. Superstition ruled the day with terrible results.
I enjoyed it very much. I didn’t know much about the Salem witch trials, except they were driven by hysteria. This book was well written and informative.
A new look at the Salem witch trials. Entertaining and informative. I had no idea of the real story behind that time.
An in sight into a dark part of our country’s history. Any one could make an accusation and the victim had almost no defense. these trials were based on lies and hate.
I liked this book. It was well written and based on actual events. It provided a more personal look at a group of individuals caught up in the Salem witch trials. Surprisingly I found that the biases, hatreds and fears that resulted in the suffering and death of innocent people at that time seem relevant to the prejudice and fear that drive many of today’s problems.
Eyewitness testimony of the lengths cruelty can be stretched to when fueled by the ignorance of a mob.
It kept me on edge.
Really, really, really good. Sooo sad, but soooo happy, too.
Although almost everyone is aware of the injustice of the Salem Witch trials, this book based on historical records made the characters come to life. I also liked that the ending had a listing of the “witches” and their fates. It was an enjoyable quick read.
Some anachronistic language but otherwise a lovely, haunting tale
interesting story – historically based – we’ve all heard about the witches of Salem – but who knew the real story – something to consider about believing everything you hear
Was a good book and I enjoyed learning a little more about the Salem witch Trials.