The Minister’s Daughter
- by: Julie Hearn
- Published by: Atheneum Books
- New York, 2005
- 258 pgs.
- 4Q 4P J-S
Nell lives with her cunning grandmother while attempting to learn her healing powers. Born on May Morning, Nell is known as a Merrybegot, and therefore, has special powers not possessed by the average villager. When Grace, the minister’s daughter, approaches Nell to rid her body of an illegitimate child, Nell refuses as the child is a Merrybegot like herself. Grace, furious at the healing woman’s response, arranges a devilish plot to blame her pregnancy on Nell rather than her own frolicking. Grace and her sister, Patience, put on an unbelievable display of spitting pins, speaking in tongue and other peculiar behaviors. With Nell visiting only days before, and Patience fully believing her sister is birthing the devil’s spawn, this plan works in Grace’s favor with troubles beginning. The village people attempt to drown her grandmother to prove she is a witch, and Nell is sentenced to death by hanging, but miraculously is saved by the Prince, whose life she healed earlier. Safe from the world and under the care of the Prince, Nell lives on and works to keep her identity hidden as she finds that she is the bastard child conceived by her mother from another man while being married to the minister. Grace births her child, which is then left in the cold to die. Found by a villager who has recently lost a child, the young boy finds a home and a family. As for Patience, Grace, and their father, they set out for the new world and take up residence in Salem, Massachusetts. Who are the real witches in this story? I’m still guessing myself.
Teen readers with an interest in historical fiction will learn how the actions of one person can affect a number of lives. Grace was so concerned about herself, she failed to consider the reprocussions of her actions. Teens will enjoy the inclusion of witchcraft and the presence of magical creatures such as pixies as the story unfolds and leaves the reader wondering who really is practicing witchcraft. A morbid tone becomes apparent as Grace plots against the main character and all that is important to her. Nell and her grandmother are not treated kindly even though they try to help other villagers. Not only are these characters looked upon negatively, but Grace’s baby is also left for dead. The theme takes a postive turn when Nell is led to safety and the baby safe from harm. The ending will leave readers guessing about Patience and Grace’s fate, and how their lives evolved.
The author took an interesting style by weaving in Patience’s confession some fifty years after the episodes with Nell. Patience tells what really happened now that she is old enough to understand what was actually happening in the characters’ lives at that time. Each character is vividly desribed allowing the reader to obtain a clear picture of their physical attributes. The author uses dialogue and language characteristics similar to the time period in which the story takes place. Readers get a clear picture of the characters’ lives in the 1650s by their emotions and actions. Readability was affected by the use of vocabulary pertinent to the time frame, but not used today. Some teens may become lost in these terms and lose sight of other plot elements.
I enjoyed reading this novel, but found myself having to read certain parts twice to understand all that was taking place. I felt for the characters and found myself siding with Nell rather than the other minister’s daughters. The author possesses high quality writing skills that keep the readers’ interests and leave them guessing. I enjoyed the inclusion of spells and potions and believe teens would find this intriguing as well. The included plot elements and characters’ actions were relevent to the time period accurately displayed in the setting. In reading the author’s notes, I noticed she included historical characters that are mentioned in history books. Teens could connect what they are learning with this fictional novel.
I recommend this novel to teen readers of any age. Boys and girls alike might enjoy the plot; however, with the inclusion of numerous female characters, girls may be more likely to choose this pleasure read. The cover art shows Nell’s colorful, detailed photo. Girls might be intrigued and find themselves choosing this book. The cover would probably deter males as nothing alludes to the fact that this book has to do with witchcraft and historical happenings.
