The Last Witchfinder

The Last Witchfinder is a 2006 historical fiction novel by James Morrow. The book was first published in hardback on March 14, 2006 through William Morrow and has subsequently been re-published in paperback format. The Last Witchfinder follows a young girl whose father works as a witch-finder.[1]

Cover for the US first edition of the novel
AuthorJames Morrow
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SubjectSalem witch trials, witch hunts
GenreHistorical fiction
Published2006, William Morrow
Media typePrint, e-book
Pages544 pages
ISBN0060821795

Synopsis

Jennet is a young English girl whose witch hunter father is frequently away on witch hunts. She's left with her aunt Isobel, a fan of Isaac Newton's scientific style. The two become close, but eventually Isobel's viewpoints cause her to become the focus of a witchhunt that ends with her getting burned at the stake. Jennet is unsuccessful in her attempts to rescue her aunt from this grisly fate and as such, decides to fulfill her aunt's dying wish that Jennet bring down the Witchcraft Acts.

Reception

Critical reception for The Last Witchfinder has been positive,[2] and Publishers Weekly gave the book a favorable starred review.[3] The Washington Post and The New York Times praised the work,[4] and the Washington Post commented that the work was "so enchanting that when I finished the novel, I sat for a moment wondering when I could visit Jennet's grave in Philadelphia."[5] USA Today wrote that they enjoyed the work's main character and that "Morrow injects humor and detail, but to enjoy this novel, you need a real appetite for the history of science."[6] The Independent was more mixed in their review, as they felt that "if only this had been edited down to about half its length, it could have been a cracking picaresque yarn."[7]

Awards
  • BSFA Award (2006, nominated)[8]
  • Locus Fantasy Awards (2007, nominated)[9]

References
  1. "THE LAST WITCHFINDER (review)". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  2. Mendlesohn, Farah. "The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow (review)". Strange Horizons. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  3. "The Last Witchfinder (review)". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  4. Maslin, Janet (30 March 2006). "She Who Debunks Witchcraft Shall Face Toil and Trouble". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  5. Charles, Ron. "Wicked". Washington Post. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  6. Memmott, Carol. "Religion, science battle it out in 'Witchfinder'". USA Today. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  7. ROBSHAW, BRANDON (13 May 2006). "The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow (review)". Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  8. "1996 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  9. "1997 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2009-05-16.


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