Book Review-FATHER OF LIES

FATHER OF LIES
By Ann Turner
2011
245 pages
Inside Cover:
Fourteen year old Lidda has always known she was different. She longs to escape Salem Village and its stifling rules-to be free to dance, to sing, to live as she chooses. But when a plague of accusations descends on the village and witch fever erupts, Lidda begins to realize that she feels and see things that others can't, or won't.
But how will she expose the truth without being hung as a witch herself?
Gripping and emotional, Ann Turner's retelling of the Salem witch trials captures one girl's brave soul searching amidst a backdrop of fear and blame.
My Thoughts:
I love historical fiction-especially when it involves things that are shocking and mysterious. Such as the Salem Witch Trials. Where during the 17th century a small village in America becomes obsessed with finding witches in their midst. Anyone who is different(a woman who runs a tavern and wears bright colors) or has wronged someone(a person who is late paying a bill) is accused and tried. Some of these trials lead to the deaths of the accused.
The main character of the book is 14 year old Lidda who has never felt as though she has fit in with her large family or her village. She has thoughts of running, singing and dancing about-thoughts and actions that are strictly forbidden behavior by her Puritan upbringing.
At times Lidda seems to be the voice of reason as her friends fall victim to "witch fever" she questions their behavior and the reasons behind it. But then she herself starts to see visions and hear a voice. Is Lidda sane, is she also affected by "witch fever" or is she actually possessed by the devil himself?
Author- Ann Turner does an excellent job of including historical fact in her work of fiction. I wish that the book had been longer-two huge subjects are tackled in this story-The Salem Witch Trails and Bipolar Disorder. I appreciated the information she included after the story on Bipolar Disorder as well as the historical information on the Salem Witch Trials. It's a period in our history that is both fascinating and horrific.
I bought this book used on Amazon.com and plan to donate it to my local Middle School.