Hour of the Witch takes place in Puritan Boston in the 1660's. Mary Deerfield is a young, very pious wife who has been unable to get pregnant by her physically and verbally abusive older husband. When he spears her hand with a fork, otherwise known as the Devil's tines, she decides she has had enough and with her parents help she tries to divorce her husband. The divorce is a very public display and it becomes more of an indictment of her than of her husband. The fact that she is barren becomes fodder for her possibly being a witch.

Chris Bohjatian does a wonderful job of bringing us into the mindset of the Puritan times and how one person can bring accusations against another. It's a very dark time for women and Mary makes it clear that men can do anything and are never questioned while she is accused of being a harlot, a potential murderess and a witch.

I really glad I read this book and would recommend it. More importantly, I'm definitely glad I didn't live during this time! Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read.

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian's novels. In fact, each new work is better than the next. The Hour of the Witch is a departure from his more recent thrillers, I loved this historical novel. The dialogue was on point and the research was extensive. So not only was the plot complicated and rich, the characters well developed, but the story was informative and so well written. The Hour of the Witch is one of my favorite novels of 2020. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review such a captivating story.

This is a delicious book, full of fantastic detail and beautiful writing. Set in Boston in 1662, we follow the life of Mary Deerfield, a formidable young woman who seeks a better life for herself, first through legal means and then through careful and meticulous plotting and planning. The author deftly creates the world of the Puritans in North America, their beliefs and everyday lives and language, and offers up complex characters with realistic internal conflicts and desires. The novel explores power and social hierarchies, gender and sexuality, and the relationship between religion and abuse. Highly recommended.

Mary Deerfield is a young wife living in Boston during the height of women being accused of witchcraft is cities like Salem and Hartford. While Mary seeks a divorce from her abusive husband, her neighbors and friends begin to think she a witch.

I couldn't get enough of this book! Bohjalian obviously did a great deal of research to make this historically accurate from the details of the trials to manor of speech. While I don't love reading Early Modern English, it made the story feel more authentic. The twists and turns in this book were on point. Just when I thought I knew the ending, Bohjalian threw in a curve ball I didn't see coming. I highly recommend this read!

I love Chris Bohjalian's books and this one was no exception.
Readers of historical fiction this book is for you!
It's the story of a woman who wants to divorce her abusive husband at a time when that just wasn't done.
She is of course accused of witchcraft and the story develops from there.
Bohjalians books never disappoint, I've read them all and will continue to read this amazing author. Always great character development and interesting plots.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me this book.

Chris Bohjalian always surprises me. His books defy categorization. I read Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, and I thought I knew what kind of book he wrote. Then I read The Flight Attendant, and that was completely different. Then I read The Red Lotus, and that was different again. Now, with The Hour of the Witch, I’m seeing a whole new Bohjalian. Each book has a compelling problem, complex characters, and solid writing. The stories and worlds are totally different. If you like books about strong women in oppressive times, you’ll like this book. If you have interest in witch trials, you’ll like this book. If you don’t care about those things, but you like good storytelling, you’ll like this book. I will always look for new Bohjalian books. The only thing I know for sure when I get them is that the hours invested in reading will be worthwhile.

Chris Bohjalian never disappoints. Though there's some tough reading, the story is written so well and is so well researched, I read it in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have loved all of Bohjalian’s books but was the tiniest bit let down by this one. It seemed to go on forever and was quite repetitive and slow. However, the writing was great (got used to the old-fashioned dialogue quickly) and the plot was intriguing and kept me reading. 3.5 stars.

Chris Bohjalian wrote one of my favorite books of all times, Midwives, so I was beyond excited to receive and advanced copy of his newest book to read. Hour of the Witch is everything I’ve come to know and love about his books.
Chris writes female characters so well and Mary Deerfield is no exception. The story takes place in Boston, 1662 at a time when witch hunting is constant and your neighbors are always looking for the sign of the devil in you. Mary is the second, young wife of Thomas Deerfield, an abusive and cruel husband. When she has finally had enough and fears for her life she makes the brave decision to try to divorce him. Of course she then becomes the one on trial for her life. She is strong and unconventional for the time and I just loved her. She is unwilling too give up on herself and her happiness.
The story has the mystery and suspense that keeps you flipping the pages to see what will happen next.
I honestly couldn’t put it down and stayed up way to late to finish it. I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday books for the opportunity to read this book.

We often think of how subservient women were in older times, but this books a far darker and deeper view of things women had to put up with in Puritan times. Mary is married to an older man and he is cruel and abusive to her. The secrets that people keep behind closed doors when no one sees them are often dark.

When Mary has enough and seeks a divorce from her husband, a rare thing indeed during those times, she is pained as the harlot and later as a witch after being forced to return home to her husband. It matters not that she was nothing but a faithful wife and abided by the ruling to return to her marriage. How easily she was charged and convicted of being a witch, with so little evidence or fact. Such was the life of women during Puritan times, no matter how a minister or others spoke in their favor.

Perhaps women like Mary, Rebekkha and Peregrine are early examples of Nasty Puritan Women, because they take action and think with their own minds. But I know that I am grateful my ancestors came over during this period, if strong women were viewed this way, I would have been viewed as a witch and have hung on the gallows too.

While it started off slow, I’m glad I hung on because it took off like a rocket once the groundwork was set. I truly enjoyed this book and will be checking out more by this author. A true page turner.

Telling a tale of a woman wronged in a time when women had no rights and were controlled by the looming threat of witchcraft accusations, we see what happens when a woman tries to challenge that system. The research is evident, the setting is well built and historically accurate. The tale has just the right amount of twists and turns (you are not really ever surprised, but you sure do want to see what happens next) and the characters are well written and developed. In an era when poorly executed “men writing women” has reached impressive levels, Bohjalian manages to write a story of women that rings true. A great narrative that provides insight as to just how women were driven by a lack of autonomy to act in ways that consigned them to prison and death, both literal and figurative.

Fans of the author will not be disappointed in this new work. This book is best described as “comfortably captivating.” Anyone familiar with Bohjalian’s work will understand exactly what this means!

This novel takes place in Boston in the 1600's; Mary is in her 20's and in a marriage with an abusive man who is a prominent figure in their community. Because of his constant abusive behavior, Mary tries to divorce him (which was almost unheard of at the time). As her divorce proceedings begin, whispers of witch behavior begin to circulate about Mary. The more she tries to free herself from her husband, the more trouble she gets into and the more she fears facing a witch trial.
Chris Bohjalian is a master story teller. The old fashioned English that is used to tell the story seems like it might be difficult to follow at first, but you will quickly adapt and appreciate the authenticity it brings to the story. Even with the old fashioned English, this story will grab your attention immediately and keep you turning the pages. As a woman reading this in 2020, it infuriated me what Mary had to endure simply because of the fact that she was a woman. As difficult as some of the content was to read, trust me when I say that this is a must-read - this is another masterpiece by Chris Bohjalian and you should add this to your TBR list in April 2021. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance e-copy!

I generally really like this author, mostly for his thrillers - so this wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I'm not well educated on these topics, but the book seemed well researched and written. The content just didn't especially interest me, and I didn't find any of the characters to be that likeable. It also seemed a bit outlandish at times. For a period piece, it was ok - I don't regret the time I spent reading it, but wouldn't do so again.

I'm a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian's and jumped at the chance to grab an advance copy of his latest novel. I am fascinated by the fact that Bohjalian is able to write stunning novels, each one more different than the one before. The Flight Attendant was a gripping murder mystery. The Red Lotus was a medical mystery. And Hour of the Witch takes the reader all the way back to 1662, an era of Puritans and witch burning!

Hour of the Witch takes us into the life of a beautiful, young woman named Mary. Mary is only 24 and is in a loveless marriage with an older man named Thomas. The year is 1662 and the location is Boston. Thomas is a brute who frequently strikes Mary, but always in a way that won't be obvious to others and that he explains away as her clumsiness. Also living with Thomas and Mary is a young indentured servant named Catherine. Catherine is a little bit in love with Thomas and is blind to his cruelty.

After Thomas stabs Mary with a fork (aka the devil's tines), Mary can't take it anymore and resolves to divorce her husband. But divorce is not easily obtained in 1662, at least for a woman, and Mary ends up being more on trial for her "bad behavior" than Thomas is for his brutality.

The story is a slow-burn, fascinating look at the early days in America. Mary is a wonderful, sympathetic character, and you won't be able to resist rooting for her. Bohjalian is a brilliant author.

Thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

thank you Netgalleyt for the opportunity to preview Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian. This is a departure from Bohjalian's previous novels that I have read and enjoyed.
I am sorry to say, that this is not my "wheelhouse" and I DNF.
Just not my cuppa!!!! but thank you.

Thank you to Net Galley and Doubleday for an advance copy of Hour of the Witch in exchange for my honest review. I am a fan of Chris Bohjalian, so I was looking forward to this release. What a unique topic for Chris to take on. We forget how far we've come, until we look back. In this case, in the 1600s, a woman tries to divorce her abusive husband. The book sets the tone so eloquently that you are transported back to those times. It made me think about how easy it was, in days past, for others to accuse someone of witchcraft or other crimes, simply because they weren't following the path of least resistance, or they dare stand up for themselves. I can't pick a favorite book by this author, as I can't choose a favorite child, but Hour of the Witch will be in my thoughts for a long time. Don't miss this one.

Chris Bohjalian has again amazed me with his ability to write knowledgeably about just about ant topic. I loved the characters and plot in this book. I especially enjoy how I feel the urge to research the backgrounds of his books. This novel is a winner and is sure to be a book group favorite.

Boston , 1662. A young Puritan woman, Mary Deerfield is the second wife to Thomas Deerfield. Thomas is powerful, wealthy and full of drunken rage. When Thomas stabs Mary in the hand with a devils thine (fork) she swears she will no longer be subjected to his abuse and divorce him to save her life.

In a world where gossip and God rule, Mary has to be careful not to let her desires, strong will and mind get her in trouble. People are easy to throw around words that she may be a witch when tainted objects show up in her front lawn, her servants brother dies and she is accused of adultry. Mary needs to not only fear her husbands fists, but the gallows.

Well, with Chris Bohjalian you never know what you are going to get! Every book is different and is never remotely close in subject. This novel is VERY Puritan feeling. It is written precisely and without much detail. You feel for Mary and the development of the characters are done well. It was slightly frustrating to me. If you have strong feminists feelings this book will infuriate you ! The ideals of the town, the men and even the husbands is ridiculous but, I see the point.

It was realistic and had some witty moments too however, it was very slow moving. All in all, it was not my favorite Bohjalian but, I would recommend it. Definitely has a very Handmaidens Tale vibe.

Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for the chance to read this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Gotta say, Bohjalian never disappoints! Hour of the Witch was creepy, engaging, frustrating, and emotional. I loved it!

I thought this book would be more interesting, but I found it a bit dull. Feel like I have read similar stories in the past Writing was fine. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.