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Father of Lies
Truth or Lies? Lidda knew, with a clarity that was like a candle in a dark room, that all had changed; something was loosed in the village—Devil or not—and they would pay for it, every last man, woman, and child. 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, L idda begins to realize that she feels and sees 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.
247 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2011
4 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
About the author
Ann Turner
102 books35 followersAnn Turner, also known and published as Ann Warren Turner, is a children's author and a poet.
Ann Turner wrote her first story when she was eight years old. It was about a dragon and a dwarf named Puckity. She still uses that story when she talks to students about writing, to show them that they too have stories worth telling.
Turner has always loved to write, but at first she was afraid she couldn't make a living doing it. So she trained to be a teacher instead. After a year of teaching, however, she decided she would rather write books than talk about them in school.
Turner's first children's book was about vultures and was illustrated by her mother. She has written more than 40 books since then, most of them historical picture books. She likes to think of a character in a specific time and place in American history and then tell a story about that character so that readers today can know what it was like to live long ago.
Ann Turner says that stories choose her, rather than the other way around: "I often feel as if I am walking along quietly, minding my own business, when a story creeps up behind me and taps me on the shoulder. 'Tell me, show me, write me!' it whispers in my ear. And if I don't tell that story, it wakes me up in the morning, shakes me out of my favorite afternoon nap, and insists upon being told."
(from: http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai...)
Ann Turner wrote her first story when she was eight years old. It was about a dragon and a dwarf named Puckity. She still uses that story when she talks to students about writing, to show them that they too have stories worth telling.
Turner has always loved to write, but at first she was afraid she couldn't make a living doing it. So she trained to be a teacher instead. After a year of teaching, however, she decided she would rather write books than talk about them in school.
Turner's first children's book was about vultures and was illustrated by her mother. She has written more than 40 books since then, most of them historical picture books. She likes to think of a character in a specific time and place in American history and then tell a story about that character so that readers today can know what it was like to live long ago.
Ann Turner says that stories choose her, rather than the other way around: "I often feel as if I am walking along quietly, minding my own business, when a story creeps up behind me and taps me on the shoulder. 'Tell me, show me, write me!' it whispers in my ear. And if I don't tell that story, it wakes me up in the morning, shakes me out of my favorite afternoon nap, and insists upon being told."
(from: http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 30, 2011
Rating of a 4, but with reservations.
This was originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.
Father of Lies by Ann Turner is set in Colonial Massachusetts, just before the start of the Salem Witch Trials. 14 year old Lidda is struggling to find her place within her family and Salem Village. She's always been different. She's a dreamer who loves to dance beneath the trees and hates the restrictive garb she is required to wear but she lives in a time period that expressly forbids each of these behaviors.
As if her life isn't hard enough, Lidda has suddenly begun hearing the voice of a man inside her head. She doesn't know what's going on, but she knows it isn't good, and more importantly, she knows she cannot tell anyone. Especially when the charges of witchcraft start flying around. Lidda's new internal friend has enabled her to distinguish between truth and lies and her newfound insight is creating problems. She believes that these so-called 'afflicted girls' are nothing but bored and powerless girls spreading lies to gain importance and power for themselves. But, she also knows that if she says anything, the repercussions will be devastating.
As soon as I heard about Father of Lies, I knew I was interested. The Salem Witch Trials has always been one of my favorite periods of history to learn about, and I love historical fiction interpretations of the Witch Trials.
Somehow, when I read the description initially, I picked up on the Salem Witch Trials, and missed the fact that our main character is bi-polar. When I started reading the book, several of Lidda's traits struck me as strange, and I thought to myself that Lidda seemed Manic Depressive (the correct diagnostic term for bi-polar disorder) or in the early stages of Schizophrenia.
I'm going to interrupt my review of the book to make a comment about research. My Bachelor's degree is in Psychology. I found myself questioning the research Ann Turner did on Manic Depression. It wasn't that her information (the symptoms of Lidda) was wrong, exactly, more like incomplete. I felt like her research came more from a google search than legitimate, peer reviewed research. Her cycles of mania and depression were more what popular culture tells you should be happening than what current research says is what happens. I felt like much of Lidda's symptoms are pop cultural misconceptions, and not what is actual research tells us happens. I also felt that the symptoms Lidda demonstrates are more indicative of the beginning stages of Schizophrenia than Manic Depression. I don't want to take up my entire review with the current research on Manic Depression, so if you want to know more, shoot me an email and I'll discuss it with you in more detail.
Anyway, other than my minor annoyances with inconsistencies in Lidda's symptoms, I really enjoyed Turner's perspective on the Salem Witch Trials. I've always believed that the 'afflicted girls' were making it up. There are a lot of theories out there about why these girls made the claims they did, but what has always made the most sense to me is the idea that the girls made up the initial stories to keep themselves out of trouble, and things spiraled out of their control. Once things got so out of hand, the girls knew they couldn't stop it because they would be in even more trouble than the initial trouble, and they were, for the first time in their young lives, important, influential and listened to. These young girls, with ultimately no control over their own lives were able to control and dictate the fate and future of their entire village.
This is very similar to the viewpoint Turner takes, but the eyes in which she has us view that world is incredibly unique. Lidda really is hallucinating. She does experience many symptoms, that if mentioned, would make people believe she was either tormented by a witch, or in league with the devil herself. So, it was very interesting to watch a young girl who was 'afflicted' in the midst of the 'pretenders'. Her perspective and evaluation of the girls who claimed to be tormented by witches was very intuitive and insightful. At one point, while talking to Ann Putnam, long believed by historians to have been the ringleader, and driving force behind the accusations, Ann tells Lidda that she is afraid of what is happening, but her eyes and facial expression instead show excitement. It is the same with each of the girls Lidda talks to. They claim to be afraid, but each of them is clearly caught up in the drama and undeniably excited by the attention and newfound power.
Lidda's interactions with her hallucination are also intriguing, and are somewhat designed to make us question whether it is a legitimate hallucination, or an actual demonic possession. I felt strongly for Lidda. Colonial Salem would have been a difficult and frightening time to live for anyone, but it would have been made far worse by the addition of a disorder that no one understood, that makes you question your own sanity.
Overall, I did truly enjoy this book. As I mentioned, the examination of the afflicted girls by someone who truly did have a mental condition was fascinating, original and well done. I personally would have liked the story better for several reasons if the author had not labeled it 'bi-polar' but it worked very well as a plot device. The characters were strong and their relationships believable and well thought out. The descriptions of live in Salem Village were believable and well thought out.
This book boasts an original main character in a story that's been told before. If you are at all interested in the Salem Witch Trials, I do recommend this book.
This was originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.
Father of Lies by Ann Turner is set in Colonial Massachusetts, just before the start of the Salem Witch Trials. 14 year old Lidda is struggling to find her place within her family and Salem Village. She's always been different. She's a dreamer who loves to dance beneath the trees and hates the restrictive garb she is required to wear but she lives in a time period that expressly forbids each of these behaviors.
As if her life isn't hard enough, Lidda has suddenly begun hearing the voice of a man inside her head. She doesn't know what's going on, but she knows it isn't good, and more importantly, she knows she cannot tell anyone. Especially when the charges of witchcraft start flying around. Lidda's new internal friend has enabled her to distinguish between truth and lies and her newfound insight is creating problems. She believes that these so-called 'afflicted girls' are nothing but bored and powerless girls spreading lies to gain importance and power for themselves. But, she also knows that if she says anything, the repercussions will be devastating.
As soon as I heard about Father of Lies, I knew I was interested. The Salem Witch Trials has always been one of my favorite periods of history to learn about, and I love historical fiction interpretations of the Witch Trials.
Somehow, when I read the description initially, I picked up on the Salem Witch Trials, and missed the fact that our main character is bi-polar. When I started reading the book, several of Lidda's traits struck me as strange, and I thought to myself that Lidda seemed Manic Depressive (the correct diagnostic term for bi-polar disorder) or in the early stages of Schizophrenia.
I'm going to interrupt my review of the book to make a comment about research. My Bachelor's degree is in Psychology. I found myself questioning the research Ann Turner did on Manic Depression. It wasn't that her information (the symptoms of Lidda) was wrong, exactly, more like incomplete. I felt like her research came more from a google search than legitimate, peer reviewed research. Her cycles of mania and depression were more what popular culture tells you should be happening than what current research says is what happens. I felt like much of Lidda's symptoms are pop cultural misconceptions, and not what is actual research tells us happens. I also felt that the symptoms Lidda demonstrates are more indicative of the beginning stages of Schizophrenia than Manic Depression. I don't want to take up my entire review with the current research on Manic Depression, so if you want to know more, shoot me an email and I'll discuss it with you in more detail.
Anyway, other than my minor annoyances with inconsistencies in Lidda's symptoms, I really enjoyed Turner's perspective on the Salem Witch Trials. I've always believed that the 'afflicted girls' were making it up. There are a lot of theories out there about why these girls made the claims they did, but what has always made the most sense to me is the idea that the girls made up the initial stories to keep themselves out of trouble, and things spiraled out of their control. Once things got so out of hand, the girls knew they couldn't stop it because they would be in even more trouble than the initial trouble, and they were, for the first time in their young lives, important, influential and listened to. These young girls, with ultimately no control over their own lives were able to control and dictate the fate and future of their entire village.
This is very similar to the viewpoint Turner takes, but the eyes in which she has us view that world is incredibly unique. Lidda really is hallucinating. She does experience many symptoms, that if mentioned, would make people believe she was either tormented by a witch, or in league with the devil herself. So, it was very interesting to watch a young girl who was 'afflicted' in the midst of the 'pretenders'. Her perspective and evaluation of the girls who claimed to be tormented by witches was very intuitive and insightful. At one point, while talking to Ann Putnam, long believed by historians to have been the ringleader, and driving force behind the accusations, Ann tells Lidda that she is afraid of what is happening, but her eyes and facial expression instead show excitement. It is the same with each of the girls Lidda talks to. They claim to be afraid, but each of them is clearly caught up in the drama and undeniably excited by the attention and newfound power.
Lidda's interactions with her hallucination are also intriguing, and are somewhat designed to make us question whether it is a legitimate hallucination, or an actual demonic possession. I felt strongly for Lidda. Colonial Salem would have been a difficult and frightening time to live for anyone, but it would have been made far worse by the addition of a disorder that no one understood, that makes you question your own sanity.
Overall, I did truly enjoy this book. As I mentioned, the examination of the afflicted girls by someone who truly did have a mental condition was fascinating, original and well done. I personally would have liked the story better for several reasons if the author had not labeled it 'bi-polar' but it worked very well as a plot device. The characters were strong and their relationships believable and well thought out. The descriptions of live in Salem Village were believable and well thought out.
This book boasts an original main character in a story that's been told before. If you are at all interested in the Salem Witch Trials, I do recommend this book.
January 6, 2011
Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com
Lidda lives in Salem Village with her family. She is different; she knows this, and so does everyone around her. She wishes of doing things that others have never dreamt of. She wants to dance and sing and fly with the birds. Her family just thinks she is crazy - maybe she will grow out of it.
And then there is talk around the village that the Devil has come. Witch fever.
Lidda doesn't believe any of it. And she has prove that these girls and their accusations are false. But if she speaks out, who knows what would happen to her.
I find the Salem Witch Trials to be a very interesting subject. I really enjoyed FATHER OF LIES because that was the topic. Though it was a little slow throughout, it kept a spark of interest for me, which made me continue reading. Lidda was a very interesting character, though very strange, as well.
After the end of the book, Ann Turner writes about Bipolar Disorder, along with a few other things pertaining to the story, which I thought made the tale seem way more "real" after reading.
Lidda lives in Salem Village with her family. She is different; she knows this, and so does everyone around her. She wishes of doing things that others have never dreamt of. She wants to dance and sing and fly with the birds. Her family just thinks she is crazy - maybe she will grow out of it.
And then there is talk around the village that the Devil has come. Witch fever.
Lidda doesn't believe any of it. And she has prove that these girls and their accusations are false. But if she speaks out, who knows what would happen to her.
I find the Salem Witch Trials to be a very interesting subject. I really enjoyed FATHER OF LIES because that was the topic. Though it was a little slow throughout, it kept a spark of interest for me, which made me continue reading. Lidda was a very interesting character, though very strange, as well.
After the end of the book, Ann Turner writes about Bipolar Disorder, along with a few other things pertaining to the story, which I thought made the tale seem way more "real" after reading.
January 20, 2011
Well as you probably already know I’m a total history fanatic. One subject I am particularly obsessed with is the Salem Witch Trials. With these particular novels I usually find that the MC is always more spirited and free minded than the rest of the village. Lidda fits this description but I think the author did a much better job really putting you into the time period than other novels. The one aspect that truly separates good historical fiction from the great is the ability to transport the reader back into that particular time. Turner does this tremendously well. It didn’t feel like a modern day girl relating the events of the past. Lidda is a Puritan, from the way she speaks and behaves, to the very way she thinks. Getting that type of characterization is particularly difficult since the Puritan mind-set is so different than our own. I really applaud Turner for this. It must have taken loads of research and reading a lot of first hands accounts.
It’s always so different to read through a young woman’s point of view from a time different than our own. I found Lidda to be very refreshing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through her POV. Lidda loves to dance, to sing, and just be a young girl. Everything that is absolutely horrifying to the rest of the village. Her older sister is always sneering down on her for her “strange” behavior. Lidda feels constrained by the village’s strict views and wants nothing more than to break free. It’s because of her free mind and accepting nature that Lucian seeks her out.
I thought Lucian was an interesting addition to the story. Lucian? Lucien? Lucifer? I’m not religious give me a break here I don’t remember! Plus well it’s been a while since I read this book so my memory isn’t the greatest. Clearly he is “the Devil” that Salem so fears. Now if I remember correctly Lucifer is “The Light Bringer” right? Or at least something similar in name. Forgive me on my lack of biblical reference alright? Never read it. Well in this case the Devil is the one who is bringing to light all the lies that are being told in Salem; which I found rather ironic to be honest. Only Lidda can see and hear him, which brings up the question if she is crazy or not. Is Lucian really there? Or is Lidda’s over active imagination playing tricks on her? Whether he is real or not really isn’t important. It’s what he represents and how he affects Lidda that is important to the story. Lidda begins to question the hysteria sweeping the village. Are the girls really being attacked by witches or is it just a sad cry for attention in a world where women are not treated with importance?
Turner truly explains why girls at this time would lie about such a thing and accuse innocent people of being a witch. Women are insignificant and more often than not ignored. With the whole Puritan mind set, women are the cause for original sin. It only makes sense that in a religious obsessed society that women would be treated as such. The desire to become important was just too much of a temptation. Turner handles the witch hysteria wonderfully. For some reason, other novels just don’t compare with how well Turner depicted the witch fever. Maybe I just haven’t read a good Salem story in a while, but I really did love Father of Lies. The writing was really refreshing and I adored Lidda’s character. Turner introduced a new spin on an otherwise well known story that makes a unique read that you can’t pass by.
It’s always so different to read through a young woman’s point of view from a time different than our own. I found Lidda to be very refreshing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through her POV. Lidda loves to dance, to sing, and just be a young girl. Everything that is absolutely horrifying to the rest of the village. Her older sister is always sneering down on her for her “strange” behavior. Lidda feels constrained by the village’s strict views and wants nothing more than to break free. It’s because of her free mind and accepting nature that Lucian seeks her out.
I thought Lucian was an interesting addition to the story. Lucian? Lucien? Lucifer? I’m not religious give me a break here I don’t remember! Plus well it’s been a while since I read this book so my memory isn’t the greatest. Clearly he is “the Devil” that Salem so fears. Now if I remember correctly Lucifer is “The Light Bringer” right? Or at least something similar in name. Forgive me on my lack of biblical reference alright? Never read it. Well in this case the Devil is the one who is bringing to light all the lies that are being told in Salem; which I found rather ironic to be honest. Only Lidda can see and hear him, which brings up the question if she is crazy or not. Is Lucian really there? Or is Lidda’s over active imagination playing tricks on her? Whether he is real or not really isn’t important. It’s what he represents and how he affects Lidda that is important to the story. Lidda begins to question the hysteria sweeping the village. Are the girls really being attacked by witches or is it just a sad cry for attention in a world where women are not treated with importance?
Turner truly explains why girls at this time would lie about such a thing and accuse innocent people of being a witch. Women are insignificant and more often than not ignored. With the whole Puritan mind set, women are the cause for original sin. It only makes sense that in a religious obsessed society that women would be treated as such. The desire to become important was just too much of a temptation. Turner handles the witch hysteria wonderfully. For some reason, other novels just don’t compare with how well Turner depicted the witch fever. Maybe I just haven’t read a good Salem story in a while, but I really did love Father of Lies. The writing was really refreshing and I adored Lidda’s character. Turner introduced a new spin on an otherwise well known story that makes a unique read that you can’t pass by.
February 5, 2011
Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...
MY THOUGHTS
Father of Lies serves as a reminder of the extreme consequences when a voice is lent to untruths, shedding light on a period of history when the thrill of power and control overwhelmed reason and morality, leaving good people swinging from the end of a rope while the accusers spouted venom followed by half-hearted apologies. The story transports us to the middle of a brutally cold Salem Village, the freezing temperatures reflective of the icy cruelty of the young girls who vomit lies with little remorse. It is a study in fundamental human behavior, and though we are aware of the historical outcome, we can only read on with increasing anxiety as the young ladies get a taste for the influence typically denied girls of their station, and fight the bouts of nausea as the strength of their words has ramifications of epic and deadly proportions.
Lidda is an interesting protagonist, one who adamantly refuses to don the blinders the rest of the residents of Salem so eagerly wear, and refuses to easily fall prey to a dangerous mob mentality that results in irreparable damage. Though we're thankful to be privy to the mind of someone who sees the accusations as transparent falsehoods as opposed to solid truths, a connection to her never truly forms. Her thoughts are constantly churning as she struggles to discern fact from fiction and reality from hallucination, and we skip from thought to thought with little preparation for the move. Because she retreats into her mind at every opportunity, we are forced to live in the tangle of her mind with her, our access to the outside world and the other characters limited by the parameters of a possible bipolar disorder.
As a result of Lidda's issues, we experience the events of the trials only on the periphery, receiving snippets of information and rumors from third party mouths instead of first person experience. Though Lidda witnesses some of the girls' behavior first-hand, it's often in very short bursts and then she withdrawals either physically or mentally, and our exposure to the events is abruptly halted. The individuals carted away destined for jail or a noose remain distant and almost unreal entities, little more than names on a page as Lidda's interactions with them are practically nonexistent. As a result, our emotional attachment to the horror of the witch trials isn't quite as profound as it could have been were we able to witness the proceedings in additional dimensions. Because this story is a fictional retelling of the events, the opportunity to thrust us mind and soul into the middle of the action is there, but instead we delicately tiptoe around the outside as though careful not to disturb the historical facts any more than necessary, and we therefore see and hear through Lidda without being fully absorbed in the world.
Overall, Father of Lies is fascinating in its subject matter, and Lidda's battle with the voices in her head are engrossing, but there is something small missing that's keeping our emotional involvement at bay. We are only ankle deep in the story while wishing to be fully submerged, and with each page we struggle to wade deeper only to find that despite our efforts, we haven't moved an inch.
Rating: 3/5
MY THOUGHTS
Father of Lies serves as a reminder of the extreme consequences when a voice is lent to untruths, shedding light on a period of history when the thrill of power and control overwhelmed reason and morality, leaving good people swinging from the end of a rope while the accusers spouted venom followed by half-hearted apologies. The story transports us to the middle of a brutally cold Salem Village, the freezing temperatures reflective of the icy cruelty of the young girls who vomit lies with little remorse. It is a study in fundamental human behavior, and though we are aware of the historical outcome, we can only read on with increasing anxiety as the young ladies get a taste for the influence typically denied girls of their station, and fight the bouts of nausea as the strength of their words has ramifications of epic and deadly proportions.
Lidda is an interesting protagonist, one who adamantly refuses to don the blinders the rest of the residents of Salem so eagerly wear, and refuses to easily fall prey to a dangerous mob mentality that results in irreparable damage. Though we're thankful to be privy to the mind of someone who sees the accusations as transparent falsehoods as opposed to solid truths, a connection to her never truly forms. Her thoughts are constantly churning as she struggles to discern fact from fiction and reality from hallucination, and we skip from thought to thought with little preparation for the move. Because she retreats into her mind at every opportunity, we are forced to live in the tangle of her mind with her, our access to the outside world and the other characters limited by the parameters of a possible bipolar disorder.
As a result of Lidda's issues, we experience the events of the trials only on the periphery, receiving snippets of information and rumors from third party mouths instead of first person experience. Though Lidda witnesses some of the girls' behavior first-hand, it's often in very short bursts and then she withdrawals either physically or mentally, and our exposure to the events is abruptly halted. The individuals carted away destined for jail or a noose remain distant and almost unreal entities, little more than names on a page as Lidda's interactions with them are practically nonexistent. As a result, our emotional attachment to the horror of the witch trials isn't quite as profound as it could have been were we able to witness the proceedings in additional dimensions. Because this story is a fictional retelling of the events, the opportunity to thrust us mind and soul into the middle of the action is there, but instead we delicately tiptoe around the outside as though careful not to disturb the historical facts any more than necessary, and we therefore see and hear through Lidda without being fully absorbed in the world.
Overall, Father of Lies is fascinating in its subject matter, and Lidda's battle with the voices in her head are engrossing, but there is something small missing that's keeping our emotional involvement at bay. We are only ankle deep in the story while wishing to be fully submerged, and with each page we struggle to wade deeper only to find that despite our efforts, we haven't moved an inch.
Rating: 3/5
Read
November 15, 2010Close your eyes and think back to Salem, 1692. If you’re having a hard time, let me make it easier for you. The olden days, when you only got a bath every couple of weeks, if that. No heat, no electricity, no fast food. Yeah, that was a life that people really lived. A recent study shows that Christianity is decreasing at such a rate in the US that Atheists are actually outnumbering Christians. Also, not even a fact in 1692. Actually, religion and work were the two focuses of life at this time. The women cooked, cleaned, sewed. The men fetched firewood and did outdoors work.
Now that you have an idea of life, imagine this: the Devil comes to the little town of Salem. A group of young girls start having “fits”. They blame the fits on witches in the town who get their powers from the Devil. What they don’t know is that Lidda really has seen the Devil and she is on to these girls and questioning if there is honestly behind these attacks.
Wow! This is a fantastic book. I was drawn to it originally because I’ve always been intrigued by the Salem Witch Trials and that was the premise of this book. But what I didn’t realize until I was done reading is how little I actually knew about the trials. Yes, I knew that people were accused and hanged, but I didn’t realize that it was all based on lies by the young girls.
In this book, Turner wove fiction into the story of the trials. The main character and her family are fiction, but all the other players and story are historical and real. I think that was one of the things I loved most about this book. I learned so much about a historical period, but the little bit of fiction kept me reading and forgetting that it was really a historical book.
I give Father of Lies 5 bookmarks and highly suggest it to other readers who have an interest in the trials.
Now that you have an idea of life, imagine this: the Devil comes to the little town of Salem. A group of young girls start having “fits”. They blame the fits on witches in the town who get their powers from the Devil. What they don’t know is that Lidda really has seen the Devil and she is on to these girls and questioning if there is honestly behind these attacks.
Wow! This is a fantastic book. I was drawn to it originally because I’ve always been intrigued by the Salem Witch Trials and that was the premise of this book. But what I didn’t realize until I was done reading is how little I actually knew about the trials. Yes, I knew that people were accused and hanged, but I didn’t realize that it was all based on lies by the young girls.
In this book, Turner wove fiction into the story of the trials. The main character and her family are fiction, but all the other players and story are historical and real. I think that was one of the things I loved most about this book. I learned so much about a historical period, but the little bit of fiction kept me reading and forgetting that it was really a historical book.
I give Father of Lies 5 bookmarks and highly suggest it to other readers who have an interest in the trials.
May 23, 2011
Lidda has the ability to sense when someone is telling the truth or a lie. She can't stand the confines that living in Salem forces upon her. She longs to leave Salem and go to a place where she can be free to express herself however she chooses. She may just get what she wishes when a string of witch accusations spreads through her village. She feels different inside, can hear a voice speaking to her in her head, and knows that the girls who accuse the villagers are lying. But how can Lidda speak the truth without bringing the village down upon her with accusations that she is the one working for the devil?
I feel like once you read a YA Salem witch story you've read them all. This was pretty much the same book as Wicked Girls for me. The only difference was the point of view and that it wasn't written in verse. I always enjoy reading about the trials, but feel this one was just too similar to what I've read before. Lidda was likeable in that she couldn't control herself half the time. She would find herself saying, doing, or thinking stuff that wasn't proper for a young girl in her village. My favorite parts are her outbursts and her families reaction to these outburst.
The author attempts to connect this story to bi-polar disorder; however, I don't see it within the story. Maybe that's why Lidda acts the way she does or maybe not. It felt like a very loose connection to me; although, I am no expert on the subject, so I could just be missing the clues.
Overall, the story was ok. I'm not wowed by it, but I don't hate it. I just feel it didn't bring anything new to the table. In the end I'm still left wondering, was Lidda really seeing the devil or was she suffering from a mental illness?
I feel like once you read a YA Salem witch story you've read them all. This was pretty much the same book as Wicked Girls for me. The only difference was the point of view and that it wasn't written in verse. I always enjoy reading about the trials, but feel this one was just too similar to what I've read before. Lidda was likeable in that she couldn't control herself half the time. She would find herself saying, doing, or thinking stuff that wasn't proper for a young girl in her village. My favorite parts are her outbursts and her families reaction to these outburst.
The author attempts to connect this story to bi-polar disorder; however, I don't see it within the story. Maybe that's why Lidda acts the way she does or maybe not. It felt like a very loose connection to me; although, I am no expert on the subject, so I could just be missing the clues.
Overall, the story was ok. I'm not wowed by it, but I don't hate it. I just feel it didn't bring anything new to the table. In the end I'm still left wondering, was Lidda really seeing the devil or was she suffering from a mental illness?
January 23, 2011
On the outside, Lidda appears to be normal. She tends to her baby brother Thomas and does chores with her sisters Charity and Susannah. On the inside, however, she is an absolute mess. After recently going through puberty, she begins hearing a voice speaking to her in her head. Terrified at first, she thinks this is the work of the Devil himself. But the voice calls himself Lucian, and he is both seductive and powerful. Then strange things begin to happen to other girls in her village. They have weird fits and point to various others as being witches. With the whole town in rising chaos, Lidda has to figure out who she is before it's too late.
From the very first page this book is interesting. I have not read much on the Salem Witch trials since The Crucible in 11th grade English class, so I was both hesitant and excited to pick up this book. Lidda's thoughts are so well-written that even I felt raw with confusion and frustration. Reading on inside her head was deliciously claustrophobic as Lidda figures out what is happening around her. There isn't much to say about supporting characters, and Lidda literally hogs all the attention. Which is okay, ultimately, as it helps to preserve her innocence in the story. My only complaint would be that it's a fairly short book for such a large topic. I would have liked a few more chapters, at least. At times genuinely spooky, Ann Turner delivers a top-notch story of the Salem Witch trials.
From the very first page this book is interesting. I have not read much on the Salem Witch trials since The Crucible in 11th grade English class, so I was both hesitant and excited to pick up this book. Lidda's thoughts are so well-written that even I felt raw with confusion and frustration. Reading on inside her head was deliciously claustrophobic as Lidda figures out what is happening around her. There isn't much to say about supporting characters, and Lidda literally hogs all the attention. Which is okay, ultimately, as it helps to preserve her innocence in the story. My only complaint would be that it's a fairly short book for such a large topic. I would have liked a few more chapters, at least. At times genuinely spooky, Ann Turner delivers a top-notch story of the Salem Witch trials.
February 7, 2011
FATHER OF LIES, by Ann Turner dives into the time of the Salem Witch Trials and the hardships that every man, woman and child had to experience. I was almost instantly sucked in and it was hard to put down.
I have never read anything, other than textbooks about the Salem Witch Trials. I have been to Salem, and seen all the witch houses but reading this book I really felt like I was there. Turner uses subtle details that set the scene perfectly. I could feel the setting around me like I was standing in these cold houses doing mundane chores.
The presence of Lucian was almost creepy to me and kind of confusing. I had more questions about him than answers. I almost wish there had been more information about him.
Reading this, I found that I could relate to Lidda, the MC, hugely. She is a dreamer, very easily distracted by anything that is more interesting than what she's doing. She wants to dance, sing and be free of the duties that are required by her. And her courage to expose the truth, no matter the cost had me smiling like a dork. This is a quick read, with the historical background and days after finishing it, I am still thinking about it.
I have never read anything, other than textbooks about the Salem Witch Trials. I have been to Salem, and seen all the witch houses but reading this book I really felt like I was there. Turner uses subtle details that set the scene perfectly. I could feel the setting around me like I was standing in these cold houses doing mundane chores.
The presence of Lucian was almost creepy to me and kind of confusing. I had more questions about him than answers. I almost wish there had been more information about him.
Reading this, I found that I could relate to Lidda, the MC, hugely. She is a dreamer, very easily distracted by anything that is more interesting than what she's doing. She wants to dance, sing and be free of the duties that are required by her. And her courage to expose the truth, no matter the cost had me smiling like a dork. This is a quick read, with the historical background and days after finishing it, I am still thinking about it.
June 14, 2012
This book took me some time to read, but it was a good book. It was based in Salem during the witch trials and had an interesting twist on the story involving the Bipolar main character. There was mystery, drama, and history. I was confused at parts, but once I got through the book and had read the author's foreword I understood certain aspects of the story a bit more.
April 20, 2020
This book was an interesting idea, but I just felt like the pieces never really came together. Not to mention that I'm not a huge fan of using hallucinations to create an unreliable narrator. I don't necessarily hate every book that has ever done it, but it tends to leave a sour taste in my mouth, and this book didn't have enough going for it to balance it out. However, I do appreciate a story with a bipolar protagonist that isn't just about them being bipolar, and I liked the family's presence and involvement.
September 1, 2017
The idea was really cool but the execution was iffy.
December 10, 2018
It was a good book was an interesting concept to deal with mental illness with the back drop of the Salem witch trials. It did take me a while to read it was a little slow moving in parts.
February 26, 2011
3.5 stars
Father of Lies is the re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but with a few twists. Unlike some of the stories that are written surrounding this event, Ann Turner brings her story to life by keeping crucial historical parts of the story, as well as introducing a new perspective on these events. Keeping some of the names we've all read about it before, Ann introduces a fresh face to the story with her character Lidda. Ann not only puts Lidda at the center of the Witch Trails, but Lidda hears and sees the devil, whom is thought to be the reason why so many of the village's people are going crazy. Lucian doesn't mean any harm to Lidda, in fact, she's drawn to this dark, good looking, powerful being, who lurks in her shadows. She realizes that Lucian has nothing to do with the evil that has come to Salem.
What drew me to Lidda is she's one of the few characters to think for herself. So goes against the norm as so many of the Puritan women and even people during this time do not think for themselves and allow the "father" to think for them. Through out the story I found myself torn between thinking Lidda is either hallucinating, like so many of the other towns people are as they claim to see the devil in various forms, or she has bi-polar. Lucian is constantly communicating with her, and no one else, as no one can see or hear him except Lidda. I liked at the end of the story Ann talks about both bi-polar and the Salem Witch Trails more in depth, and outside of what is discussed in the story.
Ann molds her story perfectly, as it's so easy to understand why so many innocent people were killed and accused of being witches. Seeing this happen through Lidda's eyes brought realism to the story, as Lidda's friends where both the girls being accused and the ones going around accusing innocent people of being witches. Lidda is a character I came to admire, as in a time period when women weren't allowed to think for themselves, and let alone voice their opinions, she's the only one who stands up and says anything about the mass hysteria and all the lies that are being said. In the end you're left wondering if Lidda really is suffering from a mental illness or maybe she is telling the truth and really can see and talk to the devil. Either way, this girl has a strength and backbone no one else had.
I really enjoyed the setting, as it's rich in detail and I felt like I was getting a glimpse of what it was like in Salem, MA in the 1600's, with the social structure, beliefs, family dynamics and so on. I think Ann does the best job at bringing this story to life. If you're a fan of reading about this time period, I would recommend picking this book up.
Father of Lies is the re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but with a few twists. Unlike some of the stories that are written surrounding this event, Ann Turner brings her story to life by keeping crucial historical parts of the story, as well as introducing a new perspective on these events. Keeping some of the names we've all read about it before, Ann introduces a fresh face to the story with her character Lidda. Ann not only puts Lidda at the center of the Witch Trails, but Lidda hears and sees the devil, whom is thought to be the reason why so many of the village's people are going crazy. Lucian doesn't mean any harm to Lidda, in fact, she's drawn to this dark, good looking, powerful being, who lurks in her shadows. She realizes that Lucian has nothing to do with the evil that has come to Salem.
What drew me to Lidda is she's one of the few characters to think for herself. So goes against the norm as so many of the Puritan women and even people during this time do not think for themselves and allow the "father" to think for them. Through out the story I found myself torn between thinking Lidda is either hallucinating, like so many of the other towns people are as they claim to see the devil in various forms, or she has bi-polar. Lucian is constantly communicating with her, and no one else, as no one can see or hear him except Lidda. I liked at the end of the story Ann talks about both bi-polar and the Salem Witch Trails more in depth, and outside of what is discussed in the story.
Ann molds her story perfectly, as it's so easy to understand why so many innocent people were killed and accused of being witches. Seeing this happen through Lidda's eyes brought realism to the story, as Lidda's friends where both the girls being accused and the ones going around accusing innocent people of being witches. Lidda is a character I came to admire, as in a time period when women weren't allowed to think for themselves, and let alone voice their opinions, she's the only one who stands up and says anything about the mass hysteria and all the lies that are being said. In the end you're left wondering if Lidda really is suffering from a mental illness or maybe she is telling the truth and really can see and talk to the devil. Either way, this girl has a strength and backbone no one else had.
I really enjoyed the setting, as it's rich in detail and I felt like I was getting a glimpse of what it was like in Salem, MA in the 1600's, with the social structure, beliefs, family dynamics and so on. I think Ann does the best job at bringing this story to life. If you're a fan of reading about this time period, I would recommend picking this book up.
February 26, 2011
3.5 stars
Father of Lies is the re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but with a few twists. Unlike some of the stories that are written surrounding this event, Ann Turner brings her story to life by keeping crucial historical parts of the story, as well as introducing a new perspective on these events. Keeping some of the names we've all read about it before, Ann introduces a fresh face to the story with her character Lidda. Ann not only puts Lidda at the center of the Witch Trails, but Lidda hears and sees the devil, whom is thought to be the reason why so many of the village's people are going crazy. Lucian doesn't mean any harm to Lidda, in fact, she's drawn to this dark, good looking, powerful being, who lurks in her shadows. She realizes that Lucian has nothing to do with the evil that has come to Salem.
What drew me to Lidda is she's one of the few characters to think for herself. So goes against the norm as so many of the Puritan women and even people during this time do not think for themselves and allow the "father" to think for them. Through out the story I found myself torn between thinking Lidda is either hallucinating, like so many of the other towns people are as they claim to see the devil in various forms, or she has bi-polar. Lucian is constantly communicating with her, and no one else, as no one can see or hear him except Lidda. I liked at the end of the story Ann talks about both bi-polar and the Salem Witch Trails more in depth, and outside of what is discussed in the story.
Ann molds her story perfectly, as it's so easy to understand why so many innocent people were killed and accused of being witches. Seeing this happen through Lidda's eyes brought realism to the story, as Lidda's friends where both the girls being accused and the ones going around accusing innocent people of being witches. Lidda is a character I came to admire, as in a time period when women weren't allowed to think for themselves, and let alone voice their opinions, she's the only one who stands up and says anything about the mass hysteria and all the lies that are being said. In the end you're left wondering if Lidda really is suffering from a mental illness or maybe she is telling the truth and really can see and talk to the devil. Either way, this girl has a strength and backbone no one else had.
I really enjoyed the setting, as it's rich in detail and I felt like I was getting a glimpse of what it was like in Salem, MA in the 1600's, with the social structure, beliefs, family dynamics and so on. I think Ann does the best job at bringing this story to life. If you're a fan of reading about this time period, I would recommend picking this book up.
Father of Lies is the re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but with a few twists. Unlike some of the stories that are written surrounding this event, Ann Turner brings her story to life by keeping crucial historical parts of the story, as well as introducing a new perspective on these events. Keeping some of the names we've all read about it before, Ann introduces a fresh face to the story with her character Lidda. Ann not only puts Lidda at the center of the Witch Trails, but Lidda hears and sees the devil, whom is thought to be the reason why so many of the village's people are going crazy. Lucian doesn't mean any harm to Lidda, in fact, she's drawn to this dark, good looking, powerful being, who lurks in her shadows. She realizes that Lucian has nothing to do with the evil that has come to Salem.
What drew me to Lidda is she's one of the few characters to think for herself. So goes against the norm as so many of the Puritan women and even people during this time do not think for themselves and allow the "father" to think for them. Through out the story I found myself torn between thinking Lidda is either hallucinating, like so many of the other towns people are as they claim to see the devil in various forms, or she has bi-polar. Lucian is constantly communicating with her, and no one else, as no one can see or hear him except Lidda. I liked at the end of the story Ann talks about both bi-polar and the Salem Witch Trails more in depth, and outside of what is discussed in the story.
Ann molds her story perfectly, as it's so easy to understand why so many innocent people were killed and accused of being witches. Seeing this happen through Lidda's eyes brought realism to the story, as Lidda's friends where both the girls being accused and the ones going around accusing innocent people of being witches. Lidda is a character I came to admire, as in a time period when women weren't allowed to think for themselves, and let alone voice their opinions, she's the only one who stands up and says anything about the mass hysteria and all the lies that are being said. In the end you're left wondering if Lidda really is suffering from a mental illness or maybe she is telling the truth and really can see and talk to the devil. Either way, this girl has a strength and backbone no one else had.
I really enjoyed the setting, as it's rich in detail and I felt like I was getting a glimpse of what it was like in Salem, MA in the 1600's, with the social structure, beliefs, family dynamics and so on. I think Ann does the best job at bringing this story to life. If you're a fan of reading about this time period, I would recommend picking this book up.
May 26, 2014
Father Of Lies Review:
Father Of Lies? I feel like Book Of Lies would have been a more suitable title. Now, I am not trying to completely bash this book I am merely stating my opinion of it.
Based off the title I was not expecting the book to be about the Salem trials or bipolar disorder. Those were my first two shocks but these shocks also perked my interest. Reading through the book, going along the main character, Lidda's, life you learn the twists and turns of her life and the town in the horrific Salem Witch Trials of 1962. It is portrayed at the beginning that Lidda suffers from bipolar disorder. However, the book leads to a completely different disorder being suggested. I feel as though the author was attempting to write about something she did not know that much about. The young girl is terrified and hears voices and sees apparitions. These are not typical symptoms of bipolar disorder. Growing up with a mother that had bipolar disorder I am highly aware of what happens in this disorder. The incorrectness of the disorder being spoken of irked me and got to me on a personal note. Besides the disorder being incorrect the book had a good story line to it. You are given many visuals and you keep wanting to turn the page even if you don't care for it. There is just something about the book that makes you want to keep reading. Another thing that I did not understand was the title. Who is the father of lies? Is it the pastor? Lidda's father? Satan? Lucian? That is not made apparent and you also receive a cliff hanger ending as Lidda gives her answer to a question asked by the mysterious voice in her head, Lucian.
Overall, if you are into the Salem Witch Trials and a good spooky story this is the book for you. You get an eerie feeling from beginning to end. Not just from Lucian but from the lying, the confusion, the killing. It is all a grotesque scene that is unbelievably true and a part of the United States history.
The way the book is written many people will interpret it in different ways. My overall interpretation of it is that it truly is a good book. It just has a misleading topic and a slightly confusing story line.Had those two things been different I would have loved the book but they weren't therefore I believe the book was okay but did not live up to my expectations. I do give it some perks. The main character was well evovled throughtout the story and there weren't too many main characters unlike some books. The author stuck to focusing on Lidda and the trials she encountered in the book.
August 11, 2011
I'm always wary of historical fiction in the YAF genre. Teens and pre-teens have so little grasp of what is really based in history and what is just a glamorized version of real historical events. With this in mind, I began this book with trepidation. Lidda is 14 years old and different than the other girls her age in the quiet good town of Salem, Massachusetts during the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials. While the other girls, including her sister, are concerned with being good, respectable, godly young ladies preparing for marriage, Lidda dreams of wearing red and dancing in the moonlight. That is until the girls begin to fall ill, Lidda included. However, Lidda's affliction is not like others; she hears a voice, Lucian, deep inside her that fosters her love of dancing and difference. In manic-type episodes, he speaks to her and becomes nearly corporeal. All the while Lidda experiences these "fits" she realizes that the other girls are lying and Lucian is none too happy about it, prompting her to speak out against the others. We all know the ending.
I'm not sure if Turner was attempting to emulate the mania associated with bi-polar as she explains in her end notes, however, having lived with a bi-polar person my entire life, I have yet to experience the other effects of the disorder. I honestly would have rather she let the reader believe that Lidda was temporarily possessed by common sense in the form of another voice, or hell, even a demon in disguise than attempt to pass it off as a serious psychological disorder that afflicts far too many people. Perhaps it would be helpful for someone battling bi-polar to identify with Lidda, a girl who lives on the fringe of what is acceptable and not while battling the inner voice and manic episodes.
Overall, the depiction of the Witch Trials was well written, the language consistent with the period and the sentiment towards the hysteria of the town was well captured.
I'm not sure if Turner was attempting to emulate the mania associated with bi-polar as she explains in her end notes, however, having lived with a bi-polar person my entire life, I have yet to experience the other effects of the disorder. I honestly would have rather she let the reader believe that Lidda was temporarily possessed by common sense in the form of another voice, or hell, even a demon in disguise than attempt to pass it off as a serious psychological disorder that afflicts far too many people. Perhaps it would be helpful for someone battling bi-polar to identify with Lidda, a girl who lives on the fringe of what is acceptable and not while battling the inner voice and manic episodes.
Overall, the depiction of the Witch Trials was well written, the language consistent with the period and the sentiment towards the hysteria of the town was well captured.
February 17, 2011
It is the winter of 1692 in the village of Salem, Massachusetts. Fourteen-year-old Lidda Johnson has always felt different from everyone else in her strict Puritan village. She longs to dance and sing and be free. She also has hallucinations and hears a voice inside her, a voice that calls himself Lucian. She doesn't understand why this is happening to her and is afraid to tell anyone. Her family has always thought her a bit odd, and as her behavior becomes stranger, she struggles to hide it from them.
Meanwhile, even worse trouble is stirring in Salem Village. Several young girls are having strange fits and blaming their afflictions on witchcraft. Lidda doesn't believe that her neighbors, who are good, ordinary people, could be witches who torment children. She knows that the girls are lying, but if she speaks up, she risks being accused of witchcraft herself, especially since she has always been different.
Father of Lies tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials from the unique and often disturbing viewpoint of a young girl suffering from bipolar disorder, a condition that was not yet understood in the 17th century. Despite how disturbed Lidda was, she seemed saner than most of the villagers, who were so willing to turn against their friends and neighbors because of the wild accusations of a few young girls. I thought this book was a very unique perspective on this disturbing time in history and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction. However, the ending was a bit abrupt; since this book was rather short I would have liked to read more about what happened to Lidda afer the ending, as I really think it could have been a bit longer.
Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.
Meanwhile, even worse trouble is stirring in Salem Village. Several young girls are having strange fits and blaming their afflictions on witchcraft. Lidda doesn't believe that her neighbors, who are good, ordinary people, could be witches who torment children. She knows that the girls are lying, but if she speaks up, she risks being accused of witchcraft herself, especially since she has always been different.
Father of Lies tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials from the unique and often disturbing viewpoint of a young girl suffering from bipolar disorder, a condition that was not yet understood in the 17th century. Despite how disturbed Lidda was, she seemed saner than most of the villagers, who were so willing to turn against their friends and neighbors because of the wild accusations of a few young girls. I thought this book was a very unique perspective on this disturbing time in history and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction. However, the ending was a bit abrupt; since this book was rather short I would have liked to read more about what happened to Lidda afer the ending, as I really think it could have been a bit longer.
Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.
April 19, 2011
3.5 Stars
Throughout most of this book, I was kept off-balance and wondering what was really going on. The story is told through the perspective of an odd fourteen-year-old girl named Lidda, as she watches the seemingly orchestrated but chaotic rise of the Salem witch accusations.
I am a mature reader and frankly, I found this book disturbing on several levels. I am not convinced that I would encourage a teenager to tackle this subject. The whole mob mentality and the excessive enjoyment this community takes while persecuting first undesirables, then most anyone with any decency to question the validity of the accusations, makes me extremely uncomfortable.
I was disappointed that Lidda was unable or unwilling to confide her fears and doubts earlier to her parents and older brother. This was a particularly gruesome and shameful period in American history, and this book postulates that a small group of bored young women repeatedly lied in order to destroy the lives of the victims of their vitriol, all in the name of a Godly cause.
In the Afterword, the author expounds briefly on bipolar disorder that, in my opinion rather detracted from the overall book – since I was left with even more questions and a nagging sense of having just read a fictional, paranormal account that suddenly morphed into a weird and singularly disturbing case study of a little-understood mental ailment.
Laurie-J
Reviewer ForNight Owl Reviews
Throughout most of this book, I was kept off-balance and wondering what was really going on. The story is told through the perspective of an odd fourteen-year-old girl named Lidda, as she watches the seemingly orchestrated but chaotic rise of the Salem witch accusations.
I am a mature reader and frankly, I found this book disturbing on several levels. I am not convinced that I would encourage a teenager to tackle this subject. The whole mob mentality and the excessive enjoyment this community takes while persecuting first undesirables, then most anyone with any decency to question the validity of the accusations, makes me extremely uncomfortable.
I was disappointed that Lidda was unable or unwilling to confide her fears and doubts earlier to her parents and older brother. This was a particularly gruesome and shameful period in American history, and this book postulates that a small group of bored young women repeatedly lied in order to destroy the lives of the victims of their vitriol, all in the name of a Godly cause.
In the Afterword, the author expounds briefly on bipolar disorder that, in my opinion rather detracted from the overall book – since I was left with even more questions and a nagging sense of having just read a fictional, paranormal account that suddenly morphed into a weird and singularly disturbing case study of a little-understood mental ailment.
Laurie-J
Reviewer ForNight Owl Reviews
July 5, 2012
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.
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.
Read
May 26, 2011I reading about two things – the Salem Witch Trials and mental illness. Father of Lies combines them both, so I was bound to enjoy this book as much as I did.
Lidda was a great main character. I found her different than most of the female characters I’ve read about during time period. Lidda loves to do all the things that are looked down on in Salem. How dare a young woman want to dance! Absolutely shocking! Lidda definitely felt the confines of the expectations that were placed on her by her community.
All of the characters felt very real. Ann Turner did a great job of creating a cast that felt believable. I felt like I knew everyone, from Lidda’s family, to her friends. Lucien was a very creepy character. You were never really sure when he would pop up, but when he did, you knew there would be trouble coming.
I thought it was interesting that members of Lidda’s family had different reactions to the Witch Trials. It was great to hear differing point of view that I hadn’t heard before. I somehow sort of thought that everyone had been taken in, and no one could see what was actually going in.
It was a relatively quick read, which I think worked for this book. By the time I was finished reading it, I felt like all the answers were given, I didn’t feel like things were rushed or that I missed out on anything.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction or mental illness, I would definitely recommend this book.
Lidda was a great main character. I found her different than most of the female characters I’ve read about during time period. Lidda loves to do all the things that are looked down on in Salem. How dare a young woman want to dance! Absolutely shocking! Lidda definitely felt the confines of the expectations that were placed on her by her community.
All of the characters felt very real. Ann Turner did a great job of creating a cast that felt believable. I felt like I knew everyone, from Lidda’s family, to her friends. Lucien was a very creepy character. You were never really sure when he would pop up, but when he did, you knew there would be trouble coming.
I thought it was interesting that members of Lidda’s family had different reactions to the Witch Trials. It was great to hear differing point of view that I hadn’t heard before. I somehow sort of thought that everyone had been taken in, and no one could see what was actually going in.
It was a relatively quick read, which I think worked for this book. By the time I was finished reading it, I felt like all the answers were given, I didn’t feel like things were rushed or that I missed out on anything.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction or mental illness, I would definitely recommend this book.
April 8, 2011
I'm kind of obsessed with the Salem Witch Trials, so I happily dived into this book. Came away feeling that it's enjoyable, but definitely could have gone on so much longer . It's just over 250 pages, but its dimensions are smaller than average - perhaps to make it look like it's longer?
Turner explores the first few months of witch histeria in Salem - we don't even make it to the first round of executions - through Lidda, a girl who is also seeing things and hearing voices. She's always felt like an outcast in her straightlaced village, and the voice, Lucien, encourages her idiosyncracies, so she keeps him secret, terrified that a confession will make him abandon her.
I was very intrigued by Turner's inclusion of bipolar disorder and wanted to see how she explored it in a historical context. However, I felt that Turner never quite went deep enough into the disorder. It was a very surface-level exploration of the disorder, and at times really seemed more like schizophrenia than bipolar, especially with the inclusion of Lucien.
I liked seeing the events of Salem from well outside the circle of the accusers and the accused - members of Lidda's family all take different positions on the epidemic, and for those that don't believe, it feels like an authentic reaction, rather than 21st century projections.
Turner explores the first few months of witch histeria in Salem - we don't even make it to the first round of executions - through Lidda, a girl who is also seeing things and hearing voices. She's always felt like an outcast in her straightlaced village, and the voice, Lucien, encourages her idiosyncracies, so she keeps him secret, terrified that a confession will make him abandon her.
I was very intrigued by Turner's inclusion of bipolar disorder and wanted to see how she explored it in a historical context. However, I felt that Turner never quite went deep enough into the disorder. It was a very surface-level exploration of the disorder, and at times really seemed more like schizophrenia than bipolar, especially with the inclusion of Lucien.
I liked seeing the events of Salem from well outside the circle of the accusers and the accused - members of Lidda's family all take different positions on the epidemic, and for those that don't believe, it feels like an authentic reaction, rather than 21st century projections.
September 24, 2011
This book is very internal (which is something I don't normally enjoy in a book) and yet I found myself liking it. I am very interested in any type of witch trial book, and having read quite a few, I didn't find this overly original (though I do understand that one only has so much to work with). The first two or three chapters were hooking and a little creepy, but the rest of the book just seems to go without much suspense. Although people were being accused of witchcraft and tried, I didn't feel any sense of emotion from the book, it's almost as if it was lacking that pinch of thrill.
Lidda is very realistic and is a character that a modern fourteen year-old girl can relate to. She wants to be herself in a world that has predetermined characteristics for her to adopt; and, dreams of doing what she wishes. The Lucian/bipolar situation bothered me a little because I had a hard time discerning whether or not Lidda was crazy as I was reading.
The behavior and actions of the rest of the characters seemed fairly realistic. The town's girls obsession with obtaining power in the only way they could was very well written.
The description and exposition flowed well and was pleasant to read.
Overall, 2.5/5
Lidda is very realistic and is a character that a modern fourteen year-old girl can relate to. She wants to be herself in a world that has predetermined characteristics for her to adopt; and, dreams of doing what she wishes. The Lucian/bipolar situation bothered me a little because I had a hard time discerning whether or not Lidda was crazy as I was reading.
The behavior and actions of the rest of the characters seemed fairly realistic. The town's girls obsession with obtaining power in the only way they could was very well written.
The description and exposition flowed well and was pleasant to read.
Overall, 2.5/5
April 18, 2011
I wasn't sure what this book was trying to do at first. Eventually I decided the main character was bipolar or schizophrenic, which the author clarified at the end. Other than that the book is about the Salem Witch Trials, and it did have interesting bits of history of living in that time period. But I just couldn't get into it.
Product Description
Truth or Lies?
Lidda knew, with a clarity that was like a candle in a dark room, that all had changed; something was loosed in the village—Devil or not—and they would pay for it, every last man, woman, and child.
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, L idda begins to realize that she feels and sees 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.
Product Description
Truth or Lies?
Lidda knew, with a clarity that was like a candle in a dark room, that all had changed; something was loosed in the village—Devil or not—and they would pay for it, every last man, woman, and child.
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, L idda begins to realize that she feels and sees 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.
July 12, 2011
To start off, this book presented a few challenges for me. I hesitated to pick it up because of the entire premise. I love historical fiction, but the Salem witch trials never really did it for me. I always found the delirium around those event so unappealing.
The events in Father of Lies were interesting in a different way than the usual paranoia. Lidda is so different than the other girls who are claiming witchcraft. She sees them as being attention-seeking, and using their power to gain some kind of control over the rigid lives they lead. Lidda is also suffering from her own personal demons. While her condition is revealed in the Author's Note at the end of the book, it seems to overtake her so completely that it ties in easily to the rest of the events in the rest of the book.
I found this book interesting but not necessarily my cup of tea. Lidda is a sympathetic character, but I think that if the author had limited her involvement to doubting the other girls, the novel would have been just as potent. I think her issues are an interesting but unnecessary plot twist.
My rating: 3.5 out of 5
February 3, 2015
I got this book from a friend after looking over her shoulder at it (or under and around, really!) and just the name got me curious. Fortunately, she promptly finished it and let me skim a *cough* "few" pages. The setting had me raising my eyebrows at the start, because c'mon- the Salem Witch trials? That's a touchy subject in my opinion to write some fiction off of (though I don't think that anymore). After reading the first few pages though, I just let it go. I love the story- and it's not just focused on one path, like just the witch trials or just Lidda wanting to leave, there's major developments that had me furiously hanging on every word- just hoping that the devastating plot twists would have some sweet happy event to twist them back straight. When I reached the end I felt like that was it; like the greatest challenge was over but it also made me wish that it hadn't ended. Made me sad.... :(
But what are feelings for, right? Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was done nicely and it was so well written that you could picture everything clearly in your head.
But what are feelings for, right? Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was done nicely and it was so well written that you could picture everything clearly in your head.
December 10, 2012
The themes in Father of Lies, are power and fear, and lies. Some examples are when Ann Putnam Jr. and the other girls were accusing women who were "witches", wanted the power and the attention that comes with that. An example of fear are when Lidda's family is afraid, (except Susannah) that they will be accused next. The example of lies is when Mary admits to lying, and Lidda is now positive that the girls were lying. What Ann Turner is saying about power and fear is that once you have power, you have control over everything, including other people's fear, and when that happens, everything that you do can be turned against you. Like in the book, you get power by telling lies, and then people are fearful, because they don't know what you will do next to cause harm amongst them. Until the truth is told, lies will tangle you up a web that you can't escape. The devil is the father of all lies, and lies will keep you bound until you tell the truth.
March 12, 2011
Excerpt from my review below. To read my full, in-depth review, go here: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2011...
"Darkly intriguing and keenly wrought, Father of Lies is an emotional and insightfully woven blend of historical fact and fiction...........................................
All in all, Father of Lies is a powerful story that shows just how dangerous the truth can sometimes be, especially when people would much rather believe the lies. Turner really did an impressive job crafting this novel and I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction. Also, if you enjoyed Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill, then I really think you would find yourself thoroughly engaged in this book should you decide to read it. I know Father of Lies is definitely one I'll be reading again in the future."
"Darkly intriguing and keenly wrought, Father of Lies is an emotional and insightfully woven blend of historical fact and fiction...........................................
All in all, Father of Lies is a powerful story that shows just how dangerous the truth can sometimes be, especially when people would much rather believe the lies. Turner really did an impressive job crafting this novel and I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction. Also, if you enjoyed Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill, then I really think you would find yourself thoroughly engaged in this book should you decide to read it. I know Father of Lies is definitely one I'll be reading again in the future."
June 2, 2011
Very good read, finished it in about a day in a half because I couldn't put it down. It was a very interesting take on historical fiction set during the Salem Witch Trials. It would have been 5 stars except the ending was a bit anti-climatic
Spoiler: I was very tempted to read ahead and find out just who Lucien was. He started out sounding like the devil or something else and was waiting for his character to develop.I was getting wrapped up in anticipation, hoping the author was going to explain his as other worldly being or spirit,so I was bum to find out that he was just a hallucination due to Lidda being Bipolar, or was he? Rats, I was hoping it could have ended in a fantasy like twist. Also there should have been more at the end like an epilogue. I want to know what happens to Lidda after she flees Salem.
Spoiler: I was very tempted to read ahead and find out just who Lucien was. He started out sounding like the devil or something else and was waiting for his character to develop.I was getting wrapped up in anticipation, hoping the author was going to explain his as other worldly being or spirit,so I was bum to find out that he was just a hallucination due to Lidda being Bipolar, or was he? Rats, I was hoping it could have ended in a fantasy like twist. Also there should have been more at the end like an epilogue. I want to know what happens to Lidda after she flees Salem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2011
I really liked this book. It seemed historically accurate and the author, aside from the protagonist and he family, used actual people involved in the Salem witch Trials. Overall, I think this would be a great choice for advanced reading 3rd graders and older, who enjoy historical fiction.
February 28, 2011
The combination of a girl with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) mixed in with the hysterical climate of the Salem Witch Trials period is an interesting and creative way to explore this period in history. Honestly, though, this book didn't excite me. There was nothing wrong with it, it just didn't personally move me. That said, the sense of a potentially supernatural being in the story could be a good way to grab reluctant students into a tale of historical fiction.
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