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The Burning Time
Rose's idyllic existence in sixteenth century France is destroyed when her father dies, and her mother--a midwife and healer to half the families in the town--is arrested and accused of being a witch. When her mother begs Rose to save herself, Rose must weigh the terror of death against the pain of life on her own. First published in 1993, The Burning Time is an unrelenting examination of cruelty and injustice.
Set in France in the sixteenth century, The Burning Time tells the story of a young girl whose mother is accused of being a witch. In her village, everyone is suspect. An accusation is enough to bring arrest, shame, even torture. Rose Rives cannot understand how the authorities--from the magistrate to the village priest--can encourage the villagers to denounce their neighbours as witches. Rose's simple life is shattered when her mother, who has been a midwife and a healer to half of the families in town, is turned over to the authorities. Struggling to free her mother, Rose finds herself pitted against some of the people she trusted the most.
The Burning Time is an unrelenting examination of the cruelty and injustice committed against women through all ages and the courage some women have found to speak out.
Set in France in the sixteenth century, The Burning Time tells the story of a young girl whose mother is accused of being a witch. In her village, everyone is suspect. An accusation is enough to bring arrest, shame, even torture. Rose Rives cannot understand how the authorities--from the magistrate to the village priest--can encourage the villagers to denounce their neighbours as witches. Rose's simple life is shattered when her mother, who has been a midwife and a healer to half of the families in town, is turned over to the authorities. Struggling to free her mother, Rose finds herself pitted against some of the people she trusted the most.
The Burning Time is an unrelenting examination of the cruelty and injustice committed against women through all ages and the courage some women have found to speak out.
112 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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February 24, 2016The Burning Time by Carol Matas Is a story that takes place during the 1600's before the French Revolution. Rose Rives the 15 year old main character, is terrified when the judge Monsieur de Lancre invades her small village looking for witches. She is a naive character, and since she has never experienced witch trials, she does not know the terrible things they do to people during the witch trials. what she doesn't know she will learn when she gets a glimpse of it firsthand (p. 39) when her mother is being searched for signs of being a witch. When Rose is left alone because her mother has been taken to be tortured none of her neighbors help to free her mother except her best friend Raymond and her other friend Sylvie who was practically Roses older sister. Rose is helpless, fear full and lonely "when I woke up I realized just how alone I was. Who could I look to for help."(p. 43). But by the time Rose had seen her mother imprisoned and cold she became stronger because she knew she had to be strong for both her mom and her (p. 49). Rose must now find a way to free her mother and keep herself from being accused of a witch.
The novel is written in first person point of view, with Rose as the narrator. This allows the reader to gain insight into her thoughts, and see how she transforms throughout the course of the novel. Some of the important themes in this book involve struggling to save someone you love, women strength an empowerment, and saving the lives of others. The mood varies throughout the novel from worried in the midst of character conflicts, scarred during their struggles with the judge, and at times safe when the character escapes from her terrible fate. The most important quote from the book was spoken by Roses mother on page 102: "you are saving my soul." This quote addresses the issue of freeing Roses mother. By saying these words, it helps Rose overcome the fear of having to leave her mother to suffer.
The way in which I connect the most with Rose is that we can survive and take care of our selves on our own. Among other things, Rose must tend to the animals by herself (p. 57), make food (p. 57), and protect herself (p. 57). Although my mother did not get accused of being a witch and my didn't die I am often left home alone and when I am home I have to do very thing for my self because there is no one there to do it for me. Overall, I thought this was an amazing book. At first, the pace of the book was a bit slow, but as the pressure between all the characters builds, it starts to get more interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes cliff hangers mixed with a little bit of action, or stories with a twist. I give this book a 10/10 because of its excitement during the climax, and the dialogue is very unpredictable. It also focused on something no one would really think happened during the French Revolution.
*SPOILER ALERT*
The climax of the novel is when Rose also gets accused of being a witch so she has to leave town with her fiance's mother. On page 98 it states, "The child is asked a final request of her mother would you deny her that" and (pg. 102)" Her breathing shallow and irregular and I could tell that very soon mama would be dead." This is the climax because it is the most intense point of the character verses society conflict that Rose experience throughout the novel. Unfortunately, after trying so hard to protect her mother Rose's mom commits suicide because the pain is to much to bare. Eventually, Rose and Mrs. Gallic are able to escape safely out of there village and into other towns so they will not be caught by the judges. When the judges leave Rose returns to her village as a different person has experienced heart ace and death.
The novel is written in first person point of view, with Rose as the narrator. This allows the reader to gain insight into her thoughts, and see how she transforms throughout the course of the novel. Some of the important themes in this book involve struggling to save someone you love, women strength an empowerment, and saving the lives of others. The mood varies throughout the novel from worried in the midst of character conflicts, scarred during their struggles with the judge, and at times safe when the character escapes from her terrible fate. The most important quote from the book was spoken by Roses mother on page 102: "you are saving my soul." This quote addresses the issue of freeing Roses mother. By saying these words, it helps Rose overcome the fear of having to leave her mother to suffer.
The way in which I connect the most with Rose is that we can survive and take care of our selves on our own. Among other things, Rose must tend to the animals by herself (p. 57), make food (p. 57), and protect herself (p. 57). Although my mother did not get accused of being a witch and my didn't die I am often left home alone and when I am home I have to do very thing for my self because there is no one there to do it for me. Overall, I thought this was an amazing book. At first, the pace of the book was a bit slow, but as the pressure between all the characters builds, it starts to get more interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes cliff hangers mixed with a little bit of action, or stories with a twist. I give this book a 10/10 because of its excitement during the climax, and the dialogue is very unpredictable. It also focused on something no one would really think happened during the French Revolution.
*SPOILER ALERT*
The climax of the novel is when Rose also gets accused of being a witch so she has to leave town with her fiance's mother. On page 98 it states, "The child is asked a final request of her mother would you deny her that" and (pg. 102)" Her breathing shallow and irregular and I could tell that very soon mama would be dead." This is the climax because it is the most intense point of the character verses society conflict that Rose experience throughout the novel. Unfortunately, after trying so hard to protect her mother Rose's mom commits suicide because the pain is to much to bare. Eventually, Rose and Mrs. Gallic are able to escape safely out of there village and into other towns so they will not be caught by the judges. When the judges leave Rose returns to her village as a different person has experienced heart ace and death.
October 1, 2018
This book brought insight to the fact that women were very unfairly miss-treated from the 1500s-1900s. A history text book could not cover this well enough considering that women were almost treated as slaves. If they were even accused of being a witch, they would automatically become one and the only thing they need for proof is a confession through torture. They would torture them for a confession even if they are young girls and they won't stop until they get one, along with a list of other witches and what they did the night they became a witch. In this book it taught me that life is unfair for a lot of women and was extremely unfair for almost all women back then. They would get miss-treated just because of their gender and would never be equals to men. Life was hard for women back then, they would have to stay in their village tending to their gardens and fields well then men would be getting money for their family. They were commonly miss-treated by men if they did anything wrong and they would get beat sometimes as well. If their husband died they would sometimes get kicked out of their homes because the property was no longer theirs and they would have to move in with a family member along with all their children. They would constantly be asked to be married to a man that they didn't even like and the women's father could arrange a marriage were the daughter has no rights to deny. The life of women could also not be that bad they could marry a man that they love and could spend a long life being a house wife and not causing harm, which is not bad. I really liked this book, it was very exciting in the story line and was told very well. It had constant excitement from the time the girl's father came home to the time he died. Even to the time where the girl's mother was caught and she was in hiding. There was always something happening, and the theme of the book was also exciting too. When the witch hunters came into the village it was very exciting and the book just kept getting more interesting from there. I liked how the girl's mother was so strong and was being a great mother even through torture and death threats. She told her daughter what to do with such strength that the girl had to do it for her even though in her last moments she was very weak and worn out.
November 17, 2012
Reviewed by Dianna Geers for TeensReadToo.com
In the 106 pages of THE BURNING TIME, Carol Matas is able to take you through tremendous tragedy. And hope.
Rose's mother is a midwife who is known for her great gift of healing, and Rose oftentimes helps her mother. Rose's father dies unexpectedly, leaving just she and her mother to take care of themselves and the land he left them in his will.
Her father's relatives are not happy that they did not receive the land upon Rose's father's death. One uncle in particular feels it should be his and is willing to do about anything to get the land for himself. This is where the historical travesty against women during that time period becomes so real--Rose's mother is accused of being a witch. If you think you know what happened to women accused of being witches during that time, you will still be moved by what happens in this book.
Carol Matas has taken such a historical event and put such closeness to it with her characters. No longer is France in the 16th century something read about in a history book, but rather real people let us into their lives and we experience a different kind of world. A different kind of society.
As a teacher I recommend this book often and every student of mine who has read it absolutely loves it. It is a quick read with a powerful punch.
In the 106 pages of THE BURNING TIME, Carol Matas is able to take you through tremendous tragedy. And hope.
Rose's mother is a midwife who is known for her great gift of healing, and Rose oftentimes helps her mother. Rose's father dies unexpectedly, leaving just she and her mother to take care of themselves and the land he left them in his will.
Her father's relatives are not happy that they did not receive the land upon Rose's father's death. One uncle in particular feels it should be his and is willing to do about anything to get the land for himself. This is where the historical travesty against women during that time period becomes so real--Rose's mother is accused of being a witch. If you think you know what happened to women accused of being witches during that time, you will still be moved by what happens in this book.
Carol Matas has taken such a historical event and put such closeness to it with her characters. No longer is France in the 16th century something read about in a history book, but rather real people let us into their lives and we experience a different kind of world. A different kind of society.
As a teacher I recommend this book often and every student of mine who has read it absolutely loves it. It is a quick read with a powerful punch.
August 28, 2017
I thought this was a very interesting book. I really enjoyed reading it. It was a nice short book about a young girl Rose from 16th century France and one day things change for the worse when her mother is being accused of being a witch. I liked how the book format was Rose's transcript to talk about her experience of the witch trials.
December 14, 2014
What a tragic story. It seems like the only crime some women committed was to be born a female. During the time of the witch hunts any accusation against an individual made her a criminal. What a heartbreaking time in history.
May 12, 2017
It is terrifying to think that women can be falsely accused and tortured to death, all in the name of false religion. This book aids understanding for anyone who can't believe what the falsely accused 'witches' of Salem endured and how not even their own families could ever help them.
March 5, 2019
I didn’t realize this was a children’s book when I ordered it. I’m not sure what age it would be for. The topic was dark yet the writing and storytelling was simplistic. The ending was abrupt as if the author didn’t know where to go with the story and just plopped on a epilogue.
January 2, 2020
It was a good book for young readers to portray these times.
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April 3, 2021Read this a long time ago wth my grade 6 class. I remember it always as riveting and disgusting and so sad. All about the Salem witch trials.
March 15, 2025
My review remains the same. The book has held up. Held up, unfortunately well, tbh. "... remember the poor women ... whose only crime seemed to be that they were born female."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2016
Well, it was as depressing as any book you'd read about "witch burning". Readers who know there history find this an unnecessary read--nothing new, enlightening, gripping, or fabulous writing. If a middle school/early high school reader was curious about witch burnings, they may want to take this trip back to France to at time when men strode into towns organizing intense torture-then-burn sessions for all of the women in the villages who have ever spurned a man, owned too much property, or shown any independence or intelligence. It's graphic, it's ugly, and utterly depressing. I think more than anything, a reader can learn and feel how lucky we are to not have lived during this barbaric time period, where so many people were powerless to corrupt authority. It may open a discussion about more recent history where parallels can be drawn, or even modern situations that have similar tones. I didn't like the book, but I've already learned about this time period and have no desire to re-live it unless it's part of a larger, more well-written, intriguing plot (as in a novel not written for young adults).
July 5, 2010
"Set in France in the sixteenth century, The Burning Times is an unrelenting examination of the cruelty and injustice committed against women through all ages and the courage some women have found to speak out."
I still am not quite sure why I picked this book up, but it was a good story of the injustices commited in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. I don't believe the story that THOUSANDS of women and children were killed in the Burning Times, but I have no doubt there were hundreds, and that most of them were midwives and healers. I know there are witches in the world, and I am proud to count myself one of them -- we do no harm (for the most part) --
I still am not quite sure why I picked this book up, but it was a good story of the injustices commited in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. I don't believe the story that THOUSANDS of women and children were killed in the Burning Times, but I have no doubt there were hundreds, and that most of them were midwives and healers. I know there are witches in the world, and I am proud to count myself one of them -- we do no harm (for the most part) --
August 12, 2014
A quick light read ideal for young adults. For 'entertainment purposes', this book is good. For the study of pre-Christian religions (Witchcraft in particular for this book), I would strongly suggest more serious study elsewhere.
May 10, 2015
25/25
April 7, 2010
Very good book about the witch trials in France.
April 16, 2017
It had sort of a surprising ending, although not really when you consider how hopeless the situation really was.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews