Review: Witch Child

Witch Child by Celia Rees

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really appreciated this from a historical viewpoint, since the story behind this novel was what drew me in. It was taken from a quilt that was found, with pages, folded up, inside each square of this quilt. It was an amazing find, and no known record of the author of this journal, Mary Newberry, can be found. She came from England, where her grandmother was hanged for witchcraft, to the New World, to start a new life. A life that would be free from persecution. Well, that would have been the nice way it could have happened.

She instead found herself aboard ship with a very puritanical group that was following their leader and the first settlers that had come to this New World. Overtly strict, absolutely unforgiving, and yet, she needed to attempt to fit in with them so she could make her way somehow, in this new place.

I really did end up liking this story. It was a bit slow at first, but I realized it was the story of a girl of 14 that was actually just going through this life. Daily. I have always loved reading old journals, diaries, from people. They are getting harder and harder to come by also, so any novel of actual regular old life is quite wonderful. It gets much more interesting as she comes to the New World and settles in Beulah.

This story is so easy to relate to, and so typical in what we know of these religious zealots that found the devil in every spot they wanted to find it, persecuting and killing anyone that didn't fit their impossible and mad rules. What a frightening world. Not much of refuge for those that sought freedom, but it is the history of America's founding. Her story, speaks out and tells us of one girls simple journey. From England to Beulah, New England. A very easy and enjoyable read. I would rate it as one for middle-school aged kids, but can be appreciated by all that are interested.



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