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The Lost Book Of Salem (2009)

by Katherine Howe(Favorite Author)

3.68 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

014103811X (ISBN13: 9780141038117)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Penguin Books

review 1: 2.5/5. This is not something you should pick up if you’re looking for something stimulating or even if you want a good mystery – the novel is fluff masquerading as a serious novel. The characters are flat, the villain was obvious (all he needed was a twirly moustache and to cackle once and awhile), and the story was ludicrous. Yet, up until halfway through it wasn’t bad. There was an interesting search to find a missing novel, there was a nearly abandoned old house, the sections from the 1600s were interesting as there was definitely research made by the author into colonial lifestyle and society, and the characters (albeit flat) weren’t unlikable. Then, around page 210, I believe, there was a twist. It was a twist I saw coming like a traffic jam during rush hour, ... morebut it was the most stupid thing that could have happened. The author prepared you quite well for it, giving Connie foresight and the mother the ability to sense “auras” (though at first you believe it’s just hippie crap), but then it just goes one step too far into the paranormal and turned the story from light entertainment to ridiculous. I finished the second half grudgingly, and was as unsurprised by the end result as I was when I opened the door to my garage this morning and saw all my stuff was in the same place as when I left it. Woohoo, my husband’s project car, the garbage cans and recycling bins, and a year’s worth of liquor and beer bottles are still there. What a riveting turn of events. Didn't see that one coming.So yeah, definitely a “beach” read or a “I’m bored but don’t want to think” read. Not terrible by any means, but definitely flawed. I will comment – as the story takes place in 1991 it’s interesting to see all the societal changes compared now: phone booths, for one. Why does Connie wear flip flops everywhere? Ugh, get some real shoes, you slob.
review 2: [The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane] by [Katherine Howe] was a unique view of the Salem witch panic. Connie is a modern day researcher with an overly obsessive adviser. The summer after she completes her oral her mother asks her to get her grandmothers house ready to sell. She the house has been abandoned for quite some time and has a deep history to share.This story shows how we never know the true depth of history, especially our own personal history. The mosaic that the intermingling character stories weave is a great driving force for this novel. My one complaint was it was a bit on the predictable side but for a debut novel it is a must read. less

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