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Audiobooks > Fiction >  Historical > The Heretic's Daughter: A Novel
The Heretics Daughter: A Novel Audiobook, by Kathleen Kent Play Audiobook Sample

The Heretic's Daughter: A Novel Audiobook

By: Kathleen Kent
The Heretics Daughter: A Novel Audiobook, by Kathleen Kent Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Mare Winningham Publisher: Hachette Book Group Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781600244513
3.00176841849739 out of 53.00176841849739 out of 53.00176841849739 out of 53.00176841849739 out of 53.00176841849739 out of 5 (3.00) - 16,478 listener ratings
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Publisher Description

Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.

Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She is also a natural-born storyteller, and in her first novel, she paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution

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"I put off reading this book for a while because it deals with the Salem witch trials, and I knew it would be disturbing. And it was disturbing. Ms. Kent's writing probes beautifully into the mind and emotions of her protagonist, Sarah, a young girl whose mother is accused of being a witch, as eventually Sarah herself is. Just as the dark, petty, and very cruel underside of humanity is exposed, so also is the great power of love, mercy , and forgiveness celebrated. A wonderful book, which also brilliantly depicts life in America in the 1690s. Enjoyed it very much, along with it's companion book, "The Traitor's Wife.""

— Leslie (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Gripping and evocative, The Heretic’s Daughter is a powerful tale of a perilous time.”

    — People

  • The panic and horror of the Salem witch trials in Kent's novel is conveyed with dead-eyed calm and an occasional tremor of emotion by Mare Winningham.... Her melodiousness is pleasing to the ear.... At times, the melody overwhelms the meaning, but Winningham is more than capable as a reader, and her reading of Kent's sad tale f women accused and accusing emits a hit of deeply buried, untouchable tragedy.

    — Publishers Weekly

  • Powerful descriptions of 9-year-old Sarah's time in prison are depicted well by the fear, anger, and repulsion Winningham projects into her reading. Author Kent, a tenth-generation descendent of Martha Carrier, who was hanged as a witch in 1692, has an accurate vision for time and place, equaled by Winningham's narration.

    — AudioFile

  • “Kent’s moving story comes straight from her heart as well as the historical record…Kent tells a heart-wrenching story of family love and sacrifice.”

    — USA Today

  • “A powerful coming-of-age tale in which tragedy is trumped by an unsinkable faith in human nature.”

    — New York Times Book Review

  • “An eminently readable novel, and a tribute to a woman who held steadfastly to the courage of her convictions.”

    — Christian Science Monitor

  • “Ms. Kent brings a gentle decency to her portrait of this nasty episode in American life.”

    — Dallas Morning News

  • “An authentically moving story that is as much about a mother and a daughter as the terror of the times.”

    — New York Daily News

  • “An illuminating literary debut.”

    — Booklist

  • “Highly recommended.”

    — Library Journal

  • “Mare Winningham starts by expressing young Sarah Carrier’s dislike for her harsh mother and stern father. Then a pox comes to their late-seventeenth-century farm near Salem, Massachusetts, and Sarah is removed to the lively home of her aunt. Winningham lets us hear the tenderness in Sarah’s voice as she warms to cheerier surroundings. Winningham’s portrayal of Sarah’s hostility on homecoming is sharpened with preadolescent indignation and judgment. Gradually, Winningham’s tones change as Sarah becomes bitter and protective when her mother is accused of witchcraft. Powerful descriptions of nine-year-old Sarah’s time in prison are depicted well by the fear, anger, and repulsion Winningham projects into her reading. Author Kent, a tenth-generation descendent of Martha Carrier, who was hanged as a witch in 1692, has an accurate vision for time and place, equaled by Winningham’s narration. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award.”

    — AudioFile 

  • “The Heretic's Daughter is raw, honest and completely captivating.”

    — Anita Shreve, national bestselling author

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award

The Heretic's Daughter Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.9 out of 53.9 out of 53.9 out of 53.9 out of 53.9 out of 5 (3.90)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Moves right along. Sad, frustrating. Should have read 2 weeks ago while I was in Salem! Ties in with the Crucible. "

    — Mckinley, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting point of view of the salem witch trials "

    — Diane, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I read this book in about 10 days - very fast for me. I couldn't put it down! Parts of it were difficult to read due to the subject matter. Overall, a very good book based on a true story. "

    — Mary, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A look at the Salem witch trials from a family perspective. The daughter of one of the accused looks back on the events and how it affected her and her family. A new and wonderful look on the phrase "I am my mother's daughter." "

    — Carmen, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting book about one family and the Salem witch trials but it did get quite slow in the middle. I enjoyed the detail spent on life on the farm but there was a lack in the "witchcraft process"-how a person was accused, defending oneself from charges, trial, etc-and too much time spent in the prison. The prison section was a tad contrieved for me. The author skipped most of that instead focusing on the events from a condemned woman's daughter. The author is a descendant of Martha Carrier and used family stories to loosely construct her plot. I wanted to learn/discover more about the Carrier family, especially the mother and father. They were never fully developed to me, nor was the maternal grandmother. I can see the mass appeal by it was just so-so for me. "

    — Vanessa, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent read. Well written. A book that brings the characters through history in a way that makes you want to know more about the period. Very satisfying read. "

    — Tom, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Set during the Salem witch trials from the perspective of a young girl whose mother is charged as a witch. Well written and an interesting period in history. The author is actually a descendant of the woman who is the main character (story is historical fiction). "

    — Cheryl, 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm glad I read this book but the first half was so slow. "

    — Shawna, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Mediocre...never kept me up at night. It was about the Salem witch trials, which I knew very little about and it was shocking and amazing, but I didn't feel sad because I didn't care about any of the characters. "

    — Erika, 12/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a pretty slow read, but I think the style is a reflection of the time period. Love the history of the Salem Witch trials, but the time period is just a little too slow... "

    — Maria, 11/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting take on the Witch Trials, around 1752. "

    — Catherine, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoy historical fiction. The beginning story line was a little slow though. Still a good read. "

    — Celeste, 10/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Started out a bit slow but then picked up and was excellent. Loved it. "

    — Judi, 6/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I started out enjoying the book, but honestly, becamed bored about 150 pages in. I skimmed to the end and still didn't really care for it. "

    — Sidney, 12/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love this book! I highly recommend reading it. It's a good reminder of how destructive lies and jealousy can be. "

    — Melissa, 4/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is a fresh perspective on the Salem witch trials which was very good. "

    — Barbara, 12/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Salem witch trials. A daughter's point of view. Very good. "

    — Jill, 12/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Fascinating insight as to the hysteria that was accepted as testimony in the witch trials of Salem. Unthinkable in these days. Characterizations well done. Good first novel. "

    — Djinnie, 10/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Definitely must read for those who are fascinated by the Salem witch trials...The beginning was a little slow, but in the end, I couldn't put it down. "

    — Terri, 6/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was so good! It is well written and thoughtful and really puts you in the perspective of the victims. I went through just about every emotion possible while reading this book, which doesn't happen often! "

    — Emma-Leigh, 6/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I wouldn't have thought I would like a "witch craft" book, but I was very drawn into the protrayal of this girl's difficult life in early America. The author has recently written another book. "

    — Bethgentner, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was good. It gave an interesting perspective on the witch trials. Kind of amazing that things like that can happen. "

    — Ben, 5/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Historical fiction but well written. The second witch trial book that I've read written by a descendent. I guess I'd do the same thing! "

    — Wendy, 5/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Terrible time in our history but well written "

    — Aimee, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I thought the story was pretty slow. Gets better twords the end but not a fav. "

    — Kristall, 5/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great historical fiction novel. Must read for anyone interested in the Salem Witch Trials or Early Colonial history. "

    — Autumn, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Kathleen Kent goes first hand into the Salem Witch Trials. I love her depiction of a mother's strength. It reminded me of my mother!! I would definitely read this twice, three times:) "

    — Bianca, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Wonderful telling of the Salem witch trials....astounding historical details and great characters. "

    — Kathy, 5/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I have this abnormal fascination with the Salem Witch trials. Maybe it's because I have a degree in Women's Studies. Found this to be an excellent book. "

    — Lesley, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Wow! I didn't know. What a bunch of bullies. "

    — Patti, 5/2/2011

About Kathleen Kent

Kathleen Kent, author of historical novels, including The Heretic’s Daughter and The Traitor’s Wife, among others, has received the David J Langum Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction.

About Mare Winningham

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The Marriage of Opposites, Practical Magic, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. Her short fiction and nonfiction works have appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe Magazine, Kenyon Review, Redbook, Architectural Digest, Gourmet, Self, and others. Her novel Practical Magic was made into a major motion picture starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman; her young adult novel Aquamarine was made into a movie in 2006.