49 pages • 1 hour read
Chris BohjalianHour of the Witch
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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.