Witch Child by Celia ReesWitch Child is historical fiction done the way it should be done, the way that makes some people wonder if it's fiction at all. The book starts off by letting us know that the pages of a diary have been found, stitched in between the fabric of an old quilt. That diary belonged to a young girl named Mary. Mary's story is a sad one, raised by her grandmother during the 1600s. She had no idea who either her mother or father were. When her grandmother was accused of a being and consequently hanged, Mary knew that she'd likely follow. That is until a mysterious woman yanks her off of the street, saving her, offering her passage aboard a ship sailing to America. America, a land where people could be free to be who they wanted to be, free from silly baseless persecutions -- in theory.
Mary's new "family" is a group of Puritans who were also afraid they'd not accepted for religious reasons. They too felt America was a safe place. They, however, would not accept a witch. Mary knows this. She knows she must hide her family history. To fit in, to have a home, she will. She'll change her last name, she'll go with an invented back story. She'll play down her knowledge of things that could be seen as witchy.
This is the 1600s though. A pregnancy goes wrong? There must be a witch who cursed the mother. An animal is acting out of the ordinary? A witch is nearby! You don't like someone? Call them a witch! Poverty, desperation, religious fanaticism, and just flat out cruelty caused people to abuse that one accusatory word "WITCH" to the point that anyone and everyone was in danger of losing their life. Mary knew that she especially was at risk. If anyone figured out her history, she'd surely be accused. If they realized she had "the sight", she'd be accused. Even Puritan girls are boy crazy, they see Mary as a threat, what if they decide to accuse her publicly of something?
Still, despite all of the fears, Mary has made a friend or two. Her life isn't easy in their little town, but it is a life she can handle. Then one day the signs and accusations get out of hand and Mary's life is on the line. She writes about it furiously, stuffing as much information as she can into the quilt lining, wanting to be sure she leaves a written record of her final days at the Puritan camp. But will she get out alive or not?
If only the author had ended this book just a little sooner, it might have been perfect. There is sequel: Sorceress (which I have not read and at this point have no plans to read). Generally when there is a character that you care about, you want more more more. There should be no loose ends. This, however, is a rare exception. I feel like there are a lot of aspects of Mary that should be a mystery. Were she real (and I have no doubts there have been many a Mary throughout the course of history) she'd have disappeared from the face of the planet) her story would not have been told at all, finding the diary would have been a lucky find, filling in the missing details would surely never happen. I won't spoil it, but I am sure that anyone who reads this book can guess where I'd end it.
Overall an excellent book, written in diary format, about life in the 1600s. About how "words have power". About how sometimes even if you're worried about treated horribly for being different, eh, you have no problem with going after others who might be different. A little of everything in a book of its size (about 300 pages)
