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Tituba: The Intentional Witch of Salem
If you love historical fiction... come revisit Salem's terror in this provocative new telling of enslaved Tituba, no longer a caricature, but a fully human woman with magical powers.
Come! Let Tituba cast its spell with a unique and tantalizing tale that explores the wild emotions driving accusations of witchcraft in 1692.
A Promise and a HopeEnslaved Tituba has been faithful to a promise to her dying mama in Africa. She has appeased the masters from Barbados to Boston to Salem and waited for her magic.
A Mother’s Agony
When Tituba’s only son dies trying to escape slavery, her life changes forever. After enduring the crush only a mother can feel, she rages and turns to vengeance.
Witches Tear into Salem
The villagers see witches and demons everywhere. Their ministers say the Devil has sent them to steal souls. But they are wrong. It is Tituba—disobeying an ancient rule—conjuring terrifying images with magic that sparks the infamous witch hunts of 1692.
A Woman’s Dilemma
As neighbors accuse neighbors of witchcraft, hysterical trials follow. And Tituba gloats in her power. But when hangings begin, her conscience arises. Can she confront her secret crime? And when a chance for redemption presents itself, will she take it?
Come! Let Tituba cast its spell with a unique and tantalizing tale that explores the wild emotions driving accusations of witchcraft in 1692.
A Promise and a HopeEnslaved Tituba has been faithful to a promise to her dying mama in Africa. She has appeased the masters from Barbados to Boston to Salem and waited for her magic.
A Mother’s Agony
When Tituba’s only son dies trying to escape slavery, her life changes forever. After enduring the crush only a mother can feel, she rages and turns to vengeance.
Witches Tear into Salem
The villagers see witches and demons everywhere. Their ministers say the Devil has sent them to steal souls. But they are wrong. It is Tituba—disobeying an ancient rule—conjuring terrifying images with magic that sparks the infamous witch hunts of 1692.
A Woman’s Dilemma
As neighbors accuse neighbors of witchcraft, hysterical trials follow. And Tituba gloats in her power. But when hangings begin, her conscience arises. Can she confront her secret crime? And when a chance for redemption presents itself, will she take it?
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2020
14 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 6, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
This title is a historical fiction novel that weaves in many of the known facts regarding the Salem witch trials, the author has taken pains to stick to the history while adding some of his own spin on things. It’s still subject of much speculation what actually drove the people of Salem to accuse and condemn each other of witchcraft, the author opts for a combination of the occult and plain old hysteria.
Tituba is a house slave for the minister of Salem, stolen from her homeland as a child and subjected to pretty much every horror and indignity a human being can have inflicted on them by other people. Despite this, she’s determined to follow her mother’s advice and appease her captors rather than make waves. It’s only when the unimaginable happens and she can’t bear to appease them any longer that she finds her magic and starts to plans visions of devils in the minds of some of the villagers, setting the proverbial match for what happens next.
This is where the book lost me somewhat. Tituba represents many things: she’s a slave, a black woman, a mother. There’s a whole wealth of feeling in that character to be explored, especially given that she’s a real historical figure but the author never took us that deeply into her psyche. I enjoyed the premise of the story very much, but I feel that she wasn’t as fully realistic as she deserved to be and struggled to believe some of her emotional responses later on in the book.
The ending in particular was excruciating, though about as happy as it could have been based on the historical facts known about ’s fate.
The writing style itself is a slow burn and tells the story through the eyes of Tituba and Samuel Pariss, her ‘master’. It’s an interesting read based on the historical content, which is a moment in time that’s always fascinated me, but the representation of the characters doesn’t quite spark the same excitement.
If you’re looking for a fantasy/factual/fictional combo, this is a good book to get you on your journey!
This title is a historical fiction novel that weaves in many of the known facts regarding the Salem witch trials, the author has taken pains to stick to the history while adding some of his own spin on things. It’s still subject of much speculation what actually drove the people of Salem to accuse and condemn each other of witchcraft, the author opts for a combination of the occult and plain old hysteria.
Tituba is a house slave for the minister of Salem, stolen from her homeland as a child and subjected to pretty much every horror and indignity a human being can have inflicted on them by other people. Despite this, she’s determined to follow her mother’s advice and appease her captors rather than make waves. It’s only when the unimaginable happens and she can’t bear to appease them any longer that she finds her magic and starts to plans visions of devils in the minds of some of the villagers, setting the proverbial match for what happens next.
This is where the book lost me somewhat. Tituba represents many things: she’s a slave, a black woman, a mother. There’s a whole wealth of feeling in that character to be explored, especially given that she’s a real historical figure but the author never took us that deeply into her psyche. I enjoyed the premise of the story very much, but I feel that she wasn’t as fully realistic as she deserved to be and struggled to believe some of her emotional responses later on in the book.
The ending in particular was excruciating, though about as happy as it could have been based on the historical facts known about ’s fate.
The writing style itself is a slow burn and tells the story through the eyes of Tituba and Samuel Pariss, her ‘master’. It’s an interesting read based on the historical content, which is a moment in time that’s always fascinated me, but the representation of the characters doesn’t quite spark the same excitement.
If you’re looking for a fantasy/factual/fictional combo, this is a good book to get you on your journey!
August 27, 2020
Somewhat Uncomfortable
I am of two minds about this book. In terms of the story, it's not half bad. The author spins a good yarn. However, since Tituba was an actual person who suffered so many years ago, I don't feel 100% comfortable turning her into an actual witch during the Salem witch trials. The author did a fair amount of research, and the story is grounded in the history of Salem and Tituba’s life before the story swerves heavily into magic, not realism and actual history. I thought the writing style was sometimes fluid and lyrical; at other times, it felt a little stilted and odd, particularly the dialogue. At times, especially early on, the author told rather than showed, including several information dumps at the start. I did find the twin perspectives of Tituba and her master fascinating. The holy man was a hard, tough sort, especially towards his slaves (Tituba, her husband, and her son). The story itself is a fairly decent read except for my own personal discomfort at making this tragic woman an actual witch. If the story intrigues you, read it knowing that it is only partially about the reality of Salem at the time of the witch trials and the very real Tituba. Take it for what it is, a piece of fiction.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
I am of two minds about this book. In terms of the story, it's not half bad. The author spins a good yarn. However, since Tituba was an actual person who suffered so many years ago, I don't feel 100% comfortable turning her into an actual witch during the Salem witch trials. The author did a fair amount of research, and the story is grounded in the history of Salem and Tituba’s life before the story swerves heavily into magic, not realism and actual history. I thought the writing style was sometimes fluid and lyrical; at other times, it felt a little stilted and odd, particularly the dialogue. At times, especially early on, the author told rather than showed, including several information dumps at the start. I did find the twin perspectives of Tituba and her master fascinating. The holy man was a hard, tough sort, especially towards his slaves (Tituba, her husband, and her son). The story itself is a fairly decent read except for my own personal discomfort at making this tragic woman an actual witch. If the story intrigues you, read it knowing that it is only partially about the reality of Salem at the time of the witch trials and the very real Tituba. Take it for what it is, a piece of fiction.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
May 28, 2022
Surprising
I was pleasantly surprised by where the story went and sad it ended where it did. Having gotten somewhat attached to Tituba, I wanted to stay with her for the next part of her journey.
I was pleasantly surprised by where the story went and sad it ended where it did. Having gotten somewhat attached to Tituba, I wanted to stay with her for the next part of her journey.
May 28, 2020
Granted to me by netgalley.com I’ve been given a sneak peek (well, really the whole book) at this unique perspective of Tituba, enslaved girl in Puritan-ville Salem in the 1690’s. Sure we know the speculation that the hysteria was possibly caused by fungal induced hallucinations ingested via wheat, and other theories include encephalitis, cold weather, etc. etc.
But what if… What if the enslaved and mistreated Tituba, (wronged by her master, a holy minister of God) took advantage of the hysteria and gullibility of the Puritans and exacted her vengeance on them. With nothing left to lose, she conspires to take the whole town down with her. After all, they’re going to hang her and she knows it. The enslaved make for perfect scapegoats.
But as the judicial proceedings and continued accusations of witchcraft spin out of her control, Tituba steps back a moment and reevaluates her cause.
I highly enjoyed this book, its writing and story were easy to follow, especially for a fan of The Crucible (book and movie), as well as the three seasons of Salem on TV or Streaming networks. I appreciate the tale of Tituba and seeing things from her perspective, although I wonder why she does not exact more vengeance towards her cruel master the Reverend Parrish.
But what if… What if the enslaved and mistreated Tituba, (wronged by her master, a holy minister of God) took advantage of the hysteria and gullibility of the Puritans and exacted her vengeance on them. With nothing left to lose, she conspires to take the whole town down with her. After all, they’re going to hang her and she knows it. The enslaved make for perfect scapegoats.
But as the judicial proceedings and continued accusations of witchcraft spin out of her control, Tituba steps back a moment and reevaluates her cause.
I highly enjoyed this book, its writing and story were easy to follow, especially for a fan of The Crucible (book and movie), as well as the three seasons of Salem on TV or Streaming networks. I appreciate the tale of Tituba and seeing things from her perspective, although I wonder why she does not exact more vengeance towards her cruel master the Reverend Parrish.
July 19, 2020
It’s been many years since I read any books on the Salem witch trials. The books that I remember reading were stiff and filled with reported facts that never drew me in to the deeper psychology of the time. They appealed for their shock value but were, from my perspective, surface treatments.
Tituba: the Intentional Witch Of Salem changed that for me. As the author depicts the characters, I got a better sense of Samuel Parris’s and Tituba’s underlying motivations. Their opposing perspectives give a rounded feel to the book. Not all characters are rendered as fully as those two, but I still got a sense of their involvement in the narrative.
The more I read this book, the faster it moved and pulled me into its tale of gender and race discrimination and jealousy. At the end I reflected on the power of suggestion and how it shapes our perception of the people around us. How mistaken we can be!
Tituba: the Intentional Witch Of Salem changed that for me. As the author depicts the characters, I got a better sense of Samuel Parris’s and Tituba’s underlying motivations. Their opposing perspectives give a rounded feel to the book. Not all characters are rendered as fully as those two, but I still got a sense of their involvement in the narrative.
The more I read this book, the faster it moved and pulled me into its tale of gender and race discrimination and jealousy. At the end I reflected on the power of suggestion and how it shapes our perception of the people around us. How mistaken we can be!
May 27, 2020
Dave Tamanini blends fiction and facts as well as a little dash of fantasy in this telling of the Salem Witch Trials. all through the eyes of the slave woman Tituba.
The story unfolds at a slow and steady pace, allowing for tension to build and motives to develope between characters.
Tamanini does an incredible job of mixing his story with historical fact. and does well with the constraints this places upon him.
The only flaw I can see is the fantasy element, which when added to the gritty, realistic world, feels kind of jarring at first but works within book as a whole.
Overall this is a good book and was enjoyable to read from start to finish. Tamanini does well working within the parameters of the facts, but really shines when he has the freedom to write outside them.
Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Dave Tamanini for the review copy
The story unfolds at a slow and steady pace, allowing for tension to build and motives to develope between characters.
Tamanini does an incredible job of mixing his story with historical fact. and does well with the constraints this places upon him.
The only flaw I can see is the fantasy element, which when added to the gritty, realistic world, feels kind of jarring at first but works within book as a whole.
Overall this is a good book and was enjoyable to read from start to finish. Tamanini does well working within the parameters of the facts, but really shines when he has the freedom to write outside them.
Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Dave Tamanini for the review copy
June 8, 2020
This book contains the three Fs. Fact, fiction and fantasy. All three make a very readable entertaining novel about the witch trials in Salem. I loved the character of Tituba who is the main protagonist. The story romps along at a great pace and although these must have been horrific times the element of fantasy works extremely well. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in this period of history.
May 29, 2020
A good story that mixes historical facts and fiction. It's engrossing and entertaining, the characters are well thought and the plot flows.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Read
October 23, 2020If the Salem Witch trials interest and/or infuriate you, as they do me, check out this book.
Tituba is a character you will not soon forget. The ending although bittersweet leaves a feeling of satisfaction.
Tituba is a character you will not soon forget. The ending although bittersweet leaves a feeling of satisfaction.
March 20, 2021
An interesting take on what life was like for a woman pivotal in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. I liked that the author made Tituba, a slave who disappeared into history, come alive in a new and magical way.
May 14, 2021
This was a very interesting read about the most well-known (there were others) witch hunt in world history. I found it well written and loved Tituba. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
July 17, 2020
As promoted, the debut novel "Tituba: The Intentional Witch of Salem" by Dave Taminini proposed to share a differently themed retelling/imagining of the infamous Salem witch trials. The book was indeed full of acts and characters who did, according to the written history, populate that long ago time of Puritanical religious practices. Those beliefs did indeed pave the way for the hysteria and infamy that surrounded those dark times of suspected supernatural treachery in every corner of the Massachsetts Bay Colony. As billed in both story summary and title, Taminini's novel promised a focus on the sole person of color, Tituba, and her secret yet powerful supernatural powers and their application within the witch hunt that has come to negatively define an important time in our nation's infancy.
According to this fantasy-infused reimagining,Tituba learned her "powers" as a child from her beloved mother, but then long suppressed those powers upon the loss of her mother and her own subsequent enslavement and unwilling transport from Barbados to the repressive and controlling Salem, Massachusetts. Despite a promise to her dying mother to never use her power to project her imaginings and visualizations to others, as well as to never do harm, circumstances lead her to do just that as she becomes ensnared in the mob insanity of this time. Taminini's Tituba was to be central to both story and the condemnation of many, many innocent women, children, and men.
And here is where I have to offer an observation that differs with the stated story focus. As written, this story appears to focus far more on the righteously pompous Reverend Parris (Tituba's cruel and overbearing owner) and his insecurities, shortcomings, weaknesses, and privileged excesses. While her character is developed, it seems far less examined and expanded upon than its centrality to the stated story deserves. This reading also left me wondering why her supporting characters (her loyal husband John Indian and her beloved young son Akanni) were not given more integral places in her overarching story. It just seems that if the draw for reading this retelling in the first place was to be a stronger focus on a much overlooked major character in the history of the Salem witch trials, then Tituba and HER history and life deserved to actually BE the center that holds the reader's focus.
I thank NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley
#Tituba:TheIntentionalWitchOfSalem
According to this fantasy-infused reimagining,Tituba learned her "powers" as a child from her beloved mother, but then long suppressed those powers upon the loss of her mother and her own subsequent enslavement and unwilling transport from Barbados to the repressive and controlling Salem, Massachusetts. Despite a promise to her dying mother to never use her power to project her imaginings and visualizations to others, as well as to never do harm, circumstances lead her to do just that as she becomes ensnared in the mob insanity of this time. Taminini's Tituba was to be central to both story and the condemnation of many, many innocent women, children, and men.
And here is where I have to offer an observation that differs with the stated story focus. As written, this story appears to focus far more on the righteously pompous Reverend Parris (Tituba's cruel and overbearing owner) and his insecurities, shortcomings, weaknesses, and privileged excesses. While her character is developed, it seems far less examined and expanded upon than its centrality to the stated story deserves. This reading also left me wondering why her supporting characters (her loyal husband John Indian and her beloved young son Akanni) were not given more integral places in her overarching story. It just seems that if the draw for reading this retelling in the first place was to be a stronger focus on a much overlooked major character in the history of the Salem witch trials, then Tituba and HER history and life deserved to actually BE the center that holds the reader's focus.
I thank NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley
#Tituba:TheIntentionalWitchOfSalem
February 16, 2022
Tituba retells the Salem Witch trials from Tituba’s perspective. Tituba was the first person to be accused of witchcraft in Salem. This novel paints Tituba as an actual witch and tells why she uses witchcraft. When the witchcraft trials begin and the hangings start, Tituba begins to feel remorse. Can Tituba ever be redeemed?
Tituba is a tragic character. She is a slave that works in a preacher’s household. Her preacher is cruel to her and makes her life miserable. Thus, she turns to witchcraft, and it makes her feel powerful. However, she feels remorse when she causes innocent people to die in the witchcraft trials. While I found myself empathizing with Tituba, I did not feel connected to her. I thought that she was not developed very well for she is mostly overshadowed by her master, Reverend Parris who I thought was more complex than she was. However, I did admire her role as a mother.
Overall, this novel is about choices, loss, and redemption. The characters were not really developed. However, I thought the author made Salem really come alive. He portrayed how superstitious the people of Salem were. Therefore, I found the setting to be the best part of the novel. The novel was also very slow in the beginning, but picked up pace during the witchcraft trials. Even though the author portrays Tituba as an actual witch, I don’t think she was historically. Still, I find this novel did justice to Tituba by showing her hardships. I recommend this book for fans of The Heretic’s Daughter, A Break with Charity, and The Sacrifice! Tituba is a novel that anyone who loves reading about the Salem Witchcraft Trials will not want to miss!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
Tituba is a tragic character. She is a slave that works in a preacher’s household. Her preacher is cruel to her and makes her life miserable. Thus, she turns to witchcraft, and it makes her feel powerful. However, she feels remorse when she causes innocent people to die in the witchcraft trials. While I found myself empathizing with Tituba, I did not feel connected to her. I thought that she was not developed very well for she is mostly overshadowed by her master, Reverend Parris who I thought was more complex than she was. However, I did admire her role as a mother.
Overall, this novel is about choices, loss, and redemption. The characters were not really developed. However, I thought the author made Salem really come alive. He portrayed how superstitious the people of Salem were. Therefore, I found the setting to be the best part of the novel. The novel was also very slow in the beginning, but picked up pace during the witchcraft trials. Even though the author portrays Tituba as an actual witch, I don’t think she was historically. Still, I find this novel did justice to Tituba by showing her hardships. I recommend this book for fans of The Heretic’s Daughter, A Break with Charity, and The Sacrifice! Tituba is a novel that anyone who loves reading about the Salem Witchcraft Trials will not want to miss!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
July 20, 2020
This book was granted to me early by Net Galley.
I would start by saying this book is okay at best. The premise of “Tituba” lead with an interesting back story and I may have set my expectations too high when starting this novel. If you are looking for a novel filled with the mystery of African magic in the small town of Salem during Puritan times, sadly this novel falls flat.
Beginning very slow and not ever really ramping up (although the book was considerably easier to read half way through - when the trials started), the characters and plots could have been developed more.
As a reader you are left wondering how some characters came into their personalities and for the most part this goes largely unanswered.
While “Tituba” does give sparing nods toward African mysticism, is it not enough to satisfy the mystery of Salem and Tituba’s story. As for the girls who are at the forefront of the accusations, it may have served both the author and reader to present their point of view versus that of Reverend Parrish who may have been the only character that you actually get to understand throughout the story.
“Tituba” is okay and sadly left me wanting more where this novel was lacking.
I would start by saying this book is okay at best. The premise of “Tituba” lead with an interesting back story and I may have set my expectations too high when starting this novel. If you are looking for a novel filled with the mystery of African magic in the small town of Salem during Puritan times, sadly this novel falls flat.
Beginning very slow and not ever really ramping up (although the book was considerably easier to read half way through - when the trials started), the characters and plots could have been developed more.
As a reader you are left wondering how some characters came into their personalities and for the most part this goes largely unanswered.
While “Tituba” does give sparing nods toward African mysticism, is it not enough to satisfy the mystery of Salem and Tituba’s story. As for the girls who are at the forefront of the accusations, it may have served both the author and reader to present their point of view versus that of Reverend Parrish who may have been the only character that you actually get to understand throughout the story.
“Tituba” is okay and sadly left me wanting more where this novel was lacking.
August 5, 2020
ENGAGING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING
Tituba is an engaging and thought-provoking novel. David Tamanini has woven together history and fiction in a compelling way that pulls you into 17th century Salem, Massachusetts. I was generally familiar with the Salem witch trials, but had not read much about Tituba. This story is written from her perspective. The novel reminds us of the horror and personal agony of slavery and that this evil practice existed in New England. It also demonstrates the wickedness of religious fervor run amok. Tamanini is a lawyer and he handles the legal proceedings in a way that educates, without overdoing it. I strongly recommend this book.
Tituba is an engaging and thought-provoking novel. David Tamanini has woven together history and fiction in a compelling way that pulls you into 17th century Salem, Massachusetts. I was generally familiar with the Salem witch trials, but had not read much about Tituba. This story is written from her perspective. The novel reminds us of the horror and personal agony of slavery and that this evil practice existed in New England. It also demonstrates the wickedness of religious fervor run amok. Tamanini is a lawyer and he handles the legal proceedings in a way that educates, without overdoing it. I strongly recommend this book.
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