I really enjoyed this book. In addition to a prologue and epilogue, it consists of two parts: "The Book of the Wife" and "The Book of the Witch."
Mary Deerfield is a 24 year-old woman married to a much older man in 1662 Boston. Unfortunately Thomas Deerfield is also cruel and violent, even while he presents a respectable image to the townspeople. His violence has been escalating, and after Thomas stabs Mary in the hand with a fork, she decides she can't continue to live with him and seeks a divorce.
"The Book of the Wife" describes everyday life in the 17th Century, Mary's background, and her divorce proceedings. Even during these proceedings there are hints that Mary is risking something more dangerous: a charge of witchcraft.
After Mary's divorce is denied, she reluctantly returns to Thomas. First she plans revenge, later escape. Both plans are foiled and she is arrested for witchcraft in "The Book of the Witch."
The only downside of the book for me is that it's a little slow in the beginning. I loved reading about everyday Puritan life, but there was too much repetition about Mary's masturbation, thinking about hot guys including her son-in-law, and whether this was sinful or not.
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