Review: Fictional story based on factual events
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 12, 2011
I received a free copy of this book for my review. Although fiction, this book/story is more or less fact or let's say some facts and a lot of unproven ones (yet often repeated in history). Matthew bought and lived in an inn in Mistley, he accused a woman called Elisabeth Clarke of witchcraft and that was the beginning of a short but prosperous career in witch finding. A young girl called Rebecca West was accused, but let go when she implicated others and also her own mother. (Similar to Alice) From an historical point of view this book is an intersting read it gives an insight into the sheer impossibility of being able to prove that you weren't a witch in that era. It only borders on the fact that Hopkins and Stearne were paid the equivalent of nearly 7000 in this era,for a conviction or ridding the village of an accused. So it was indeed a good business to be in. The witch finders used the naturally suspicious nature and religious piety of that era to create havoc and panic, which in turn people used to rid themselves of anyone they didn't like. It is no different in essence to the bigotted behaviour of today and our finger pointing society that likes to lay blame with groups of people of certain races, nationalities or religious backgrounds. Def. a book worth reading, especially if it entices readers to research some of the facts it contains.Suffer a Witch