Louis M Levy writes:

Subject: It seems we do not learn

I really appreciated the novel as it truly included the history, that is the historical background, as well as the humane history. Yet I am struck that the review mentions a time of religious irrationality and zealousness as if that phase of our life and existence has passed into memory. Today as in the 1690's religious rigidity threatens political as well as social rationality. We have lost a sense of governance and compassion that bespeaks of human beings and not merely standardized, finger pointing, profiteers.

Lisa Erickson writes:

Subject: Response

Louis - I also see many parallels to today, and to phases throughout history, and in fact this is why I chose to review this book and refer to it as a 'cautionary tale about religion and fear'. In an interview, the author also states this was part of her motivation for writing about this period. Whenever a society is confronted with events that cause great fear, religion is often twisted and persecution results.

Louis Levy writes:

Subject: Thank You

Persecution is not a state of hysteria nor is it mere ignorance. Hysteria excuses the sinister quality of prejudice kept below the surface, benign, by a certain smugness of prosperity. As the cliche suggests, "hard times do not require character, they reveal it". When power, politics, and profit are thrown together and manipulated hysteria is simply one more tool. In my own reading of the period and as Ms. Kent suggested heretical / independent views are the real enemy. The present day similarity is exactly the danger that I allude to. We act as if tales such as these have only recently been written. There is a sense that we can only comprehend if there is a cathartic incident. The classic - Great authors have warned of the evolutionary march toward - shall we say mindlessness. Swift,Bradbury, Orwell, Huxley, Verne, and on and on all saw (understood)that a lack inquisitiveness lead to inquisition. One can only hope that Pollyanna and Don Quixote still live. Thank you for your note. It is quite kind of you to take the time to think and correspond with me. Louis Levy