The Burning Time

Carol Matas, best known for the "Of Two Minds" novels and her various Holocaust fictions, has created a shocking novella about two women who find themselves trapped in a witch hunt in Renaissance France.Suzanne Rives, a beautiful and fiercely independent widow and skilled midwife, refuses advances from two men to live with her daughter, the main character Rose. People have already been suspicious of her herbal treatments, but when a witch hunter spreads terror in the town comes, Suzanne's fate is sealed.However, Rose still has some allies: Sylvie, a plucky castle maid whose motives are revealed later, and Raymond, a young man. Suzanne is subjected to horrifying torture by the cruel witch hunters and fanatics.The violence is bloody and shocking, but never goes over the top. This book is well written, taut and poignant, about a mother-daughter relationship that must overcome the cruelties of the day.

When a death in the family occurs, Rose's life is turned around. First life without her father, then her mother is accused of witchcraft! If it weren't for spiteful family members or jealous practitians, Rose's simple life might have carried on, with a few women being tortured and burned. But fate has willed that Rose's mother should be tortured, and probably killed. A few(very few!) friends help Rose and attempt to save her mother, but that means getting out of the village; most of her childhood friends have turned against her and will never be the same again.This book is excellent, and very historical. The characters are well-conceived, as is the plot. It is so realistic, that if I hadn't seen 'A Novel by Carol Matas' on the front, I would have believed that this really happened! And in a sense, it did. Many women were killed in this manner.

I found this book extremely well protrayed, vived,and a good Canadian book. The French witch trials were told in an easy way and ,I think, very intresting. Rose was an easy charactor to like and sympathize with. Suzanne was a very brave women and I envy her courage!!

I enjoyed reading about something that most teachers don't teach. and something that you don't hear about as often as other historic events.Great job!!!! loved this book!!!!!!!!!

A thrilling book about a girl named Rose, whose mother is taken away because she is accused of witchcraft. Soon after, Rose is also accused. She must find a way to flee her village and find the courage to fullfill her mother's last wish. This is a very suspenseful book, full of emotion