The Witchcraft of Salem Village (Landmark Books) |
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Author:
Shirley Jackson
By Scholastic
Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Paperback
EAN: 9780439330442
ISBN: 0439330440
Label: Scholastic
Manufacturer: Scholastic
Number Of Pages: 144
Publication Date: 2001
Publisher: Scholastic
Studio: Scholastic |
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the Madness of Crowds, 2008-08-19
Comment: I read this because I am a big fan of Shirley Jackson's fiction, for its psychological insight and dark and sinister world view. This book, however, gives a factual account of the Salem witch trials of the late 17th century. It was written for children and at 130-odd pages of fairly large print can be read in a single sitting.
The Salem witch trials constituted a dark and disturbing episode in American history, and as they were quite well documented we can see just how irrational, hysterical and cruel a human community can be, with no direct provocation. This element of a heartless, vindictive society turning on its weakest members, or the outcasts, is a constant in Shirley Jackson's fiction as well, and possibly is part of her interest in this occurence. There are a few occasions in the book where the author presumes to reveal the thoughts of those involved, a risky ploy in a work of history, but probably necessary to make sense of the events for young readers and she doesn't take any excessive liberties in doing this.
Mostly this is just a factual retelling of these events, strange and gruesome enough to require no embellishment. Though aimed at children, this book is suitable for anyone seeking an overview of the Salem witch trials as unlike some children's authors, Shirley Jackson does not talk down to her readers, moralise excessively, or adopt language particularly suited to children she simply gives the facts clearly and simply. For a really detailed look at the events in question, this is not the answer but readers of any age will be spellbound and rather disturbed by this account of man's inhumanity to man and the extremes to which mass hysteria can lead.
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