Chris Bohjalian's Hour of the Witch receives mixed reviews. Readers praise its immersive historical setting and compelling protagonist grappling with a patriarchal society. However, some criticize the pacing and predictability. The novel's strength lies in its vivid depiction of 17th-century New England and its treatment of gender issues.

Readers who enjoy Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian are likely fans of historical fiction with strong, complex female protagonists, akin to The Crucible by Arthur Miller and The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent. They appreciate meticulously researched narratives that explore societal norms and personal resilience in Puritan New England.

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian is a historical fiction novel set in 1662 colonial Boston, following Mary Deerfield as she seeks a divorce from her abusive husband, Thomas. Her bid for independence gets entangled in a societal fervor of witchcraft accusations, dark magic, and hysteria, leading to a dramatic trial that underscores themes of patriarchal oppression and mass hysteria. The novel entails domestic violence, self-harm, homicidal and suicidal ideation, and racism.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Challenging / Melancholic

- Hour of the Witch is a historical thriller set in 1662 Boston, where the city is portrayed with meticulous research reflecting its puritanical lifestyle and the complexities of its witch trial history.
- Chris Bohjalian was inspired to write Hour of the Witch after discovering that the first divorce in North America involved allegations of witchcraft.
- The novel explores themes of power and autonomy, particularly highlighting how women navigated the rigid societal norms of Colonial America, while also delving into the detailed and authentic use of 17th-century legal documents.

**Mary Deerfield**  
A 24-year-old protagonist known for her “Delft blue” eyes and corn-yellow hair, who navigates a tumultuous life in Puritan society and seeks personal freedom despite great adversity.

**Thomas Deerfield**  
A 45-year-old miller and Mary’s abusive husband, emblematic of Puritan hypocrisy and the extreme patriarchal oppression prevalent in their community.

**Catherine Stileman**  
An 18-year-old servant girl working for the Deerfields, who becomes Mary’s primary accuser and harbors admiration for Thomas.

**Peregrine Cooke**  
The same age as Mary, she is Thomas’s daughter and Mary’s stepdaughter, whose past experiences with Thomas bring another perspective to the narrative.

**Henry Simmons**  
Mary's love interest, known for his coal-black hair and independent thinking, who supports Mary in her pursuit of personal agency.

**Constance Winston**  
An older woman embodying a defiant spirit against Puritan norms, who becomes a significant source of support and guidance for Mary.

**Caleb Adams**  
A young and vocal magistrate whose views reflect the misogynistic and biased legal ideologies within the Puritan society.

Chris Bohjalian

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Hour of the Witch Summary and Study Guide

Background

Hour of the Witch Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 1: “The Book of the Wife”

Prologue-Book 1, Chapter 5

Hour of the Witch Prologue-Book 1, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 6-10

Hour of the Witch Book 1, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 11-15

Hour of the Witch Book 1, Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 16-19 

Hour of the Witch Book 1, Chapters 16-19  Summary & Analysis

Book 2: “The Book of the Witch”

Book 2, Chapters 20-24

Hour of the Witch Book 2, Chapters 20-24 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 25-33

Hour of the Witch Book 2, Chapters 25-33 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapter 34-Epilogue

Hour of the Witch Book 2, Chapter 34-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Hour of the Witch Character Analysis

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Themes

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Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

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Hour of the Witch

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