The Witchcraft of Salem Village

By: Shirley Jackson

Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir

Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A detailed account of one of the strangest and most shocking episodes in American history, written by the author of "The Lottery".

Stories of magic, superstition, and witchcraft were strictly forbidden in the little town of Salem Village. But a group of young girls ignored those rules, spellbound by the tales told by a woman named Tituba. When questioned about their activities, the terrified girls set off a whirlwind of controversy as they accused townsperson after townsperson of being witches. Author Shirley Jackson examines in careful detail this horrifying true story of accusations, trials, and executions that shook a community to its foundations.

©1956 Shirley Jackson (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

well done

very well done! love her voice and telling! finished over 2 days. great way to start of my October book listening. its very sad what happened to the accused but I admit I've always found this story fascinating.

Just the knowledgeable book I was looking for

I love how easy it was to follow all g with the information! I’m happy I downloaded and listened to it. I feel more knowledgeable on the topic after listening to this book. Thank you!

Takes a bit

Start was slow, kinda dull but the story picks up as it makes a storyline of the accounts and becomes very interesting. It also goes over motives of why people were accused and how the trials dissolved into nothing. Makes the whole trials much more believable and hysteria not the primary motive.

A very good audio book all around!

Shirley Jackson was a remarkable author and storyteller, her work stands up to the passage of time and the changes of tastes.

I have never heard of, nor heard the work of,
Gabrielle de Cuir before this audio book, but she adds depth in her reading.

Very enlightening about the Salem Witch Trials

I liked this, a lot. I love how it sticks to the historical accounts and documentations, not a spooked up version of how "real" witches were put on trial. It also gives great insight to the horrible way the random people of Salem Village, the place where the Salem Witch Trials firstly originated, could be accused of being a witch. Spiteful girls with nothing to do but stir up dramatics and lies; all to cover their secret indiscretions or get revenge ones they didn't like or had crossed them the wrong way. It is a great example of mass hysteria, and how the narrow minded and fearful of anything unknown and against their religious beliefs were so easy to judge and persecute some to be in league with the devil without scientific and factually based evidence. Also, displays how if one is fearful of death, they will go along with what they're being accused of, or twist it to gain sympathy to save themselves. And, in this act of self preservation to save themselves, they cause more public mass hysteria. untrusting of anyone who was odd or different. therefore, causing other innocents to be brought to accusations of witchcraft. And. the display of greed and how easily power and influence was used to destroy people's lives to get their property, revenge, or if they just disliked someone.

lacking

did not contain as much history as I would have preferred. it felt like reading the crucible all over again

Informative but

This could have been more informative. Only covered some of the key persons and nothing of other important figures.

Great book

I learned so much I thought I knew the story but I didn't thank you for writing this book

Historical Salem Village

The book written in 1956 is a recounting of the witch fever that started during a long dark winter. Its not long but definitely worth a listen to; of how people can be swept up into actions they otherwise would not.

excellent!

well narrated, tight structure, deeply informative, excellent account of a terrible tragedy, a stain on human history.