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The Witch of Blackbird Pond  By  cover art

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

By: Elizabeth George Speare
Narrated by: Mary Beth Hurt
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Publisher's summary

Kit Tyler must leave behind shimmering Caribbean islands to join the stern Puritan community of her relatives. She soon feels caged, until she meets the old woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond. But when their friendship is discovered, Kit herself is accused of witchcraft!

©1958, 1986 Elizabeth George Speare (P)2002 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint Of Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

  • Newbery Medal Winner, 1959

"Mary Beth Hurt gives an excellent performance" (School Library Journal)
"Speare's classic adapts well to audio, and Hurt gives it life, and hope." (AudioFile)
"Strong plot, fully realized characters, and convincing atmosphere distinguish this historical narrative." (Booklist)

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What listeners say about The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great characters - a delightful listen!

Set in colonial New England, harsh in the physical and social senses, young Katherine arrives in this seeming cruel environment and struggles to fit in. She is changed in the process and she brings about change in this severely prejusticed society. The relationships are well described between all the various characters giving the story a richness. Understanding for people grows past just the outward appearances.The mean uncle and the old Quaker are more than what they seem to be. And true love wins the day. My 11 year-old son loved the story which is still the best proof of this story's worthiness. He's a tough critic. It is a lovely listen.

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Listen with a friend or relative!!

This book was great on audio. In the beginning it's a wee bit confusing, but stay with it and you will be rewarded with some great characters and a wonderful story. We (mom and 10 yr old daughter) listened to it on a road trip, and we thought it was fantastic! GET IT!

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I wanted to read this book because my son had to read it for his 4th grade literature class. It was fabulous! I didn't want to stop listening.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved over 40 Years

Would you consider the audio edition of The Witch of Blackbird Pond to be better than the print version?

No.
I read this the very first time over 40 years ago.
It became a "must be read" book for my children, nieces, nephews etc.
I have read this book over & over through my life, each time loving it more, as it ran alongside my life & my personal story. It helped me to have strength and stand up to the challenges I faced, and I had my own special "Hannah".
Seeing it in audio was a shock & joy and now I can have it with me constant in my ipod, although my print version is within reach of my chair.
I regret my original was lost in a house fire....

What did you like best about this story?

The simplicity of love & character.
Blueberry cake & kittens truly do heal heartaches, while cornbread & fresh water is a fine breakfast.

What about Mary Beth Hurt’s performance did you like?

I found she did well, my mind gave a voice to this story for too many years to fall in love with any narrator I am sorry to say.
She did a very nice job, but for me.......

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I have laughed, cried and dreamed more than any review can tell.

Any additional comments?

Every young girl should read this book at the age of 11......
Just because.
My granddaughter did

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Still a favorite

Where does The Witch of Blackbird Pond rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's one of the best ones I have listened to thus far.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the subject matter.

Which character – as performed by Mary Beth Hurt – was your favorite?

I liked her reading of the characters Mercy and Judith.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Nat comes back with Prudence to save Kitt from punishment is a great moment. He risked his life to do this because he'd already been punished in this town once before.

Any additional comments?

I read this book many years ago as a teenager, and it has always been one of my favorite works. I think this books is what first interested me in the Salem witchcraft trials. However, now that I am older, I do realize that the plot is a little over-simplified. It's still a great read for its intended audience.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Story with one annoyance...

Love the recording. BUT, the audio book is split into 8 chapters that DO NOT correspond to the actual chapters in the book! Annoying.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good narration and a classic tale

The narration really made these characters come alive. The story represents trials of living on colonial New England and the problems with fear ruling the masses. This story is a great moral tale of following the masses to an end that later generations will declare unbelievable.
A fairly short story and quite enjoyable. I expect anyone looking for a slightly romantic, slightly historic, and true to human nature, will greatly enjoy this book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Classic

This is a very enjoyable look into what some of the "witch" activity in our country's early days may have looked like.

The Narrator has a calm soothing voice which made this an especially easy book to listen to.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

My 12 year old grandson was to listen.

But he admitting lost his attention. I took the time to finish the book. Being a 63 year old man, it was a pleasant listen. The reader Mary Hunt was great. The story, from my view, was a predictable love story. Kit, the main character was in first person, had a tough time finding herself in 1700s Puritan New England. It actually creeped me out. She had hard time and few good times. Everything lead up to her love interest making all things right. A lot of liberties were taken to complete story. You can find out for yourself. Not bad, not great. Would suggest to young ladies.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My childhood favorite is still my favorite!

I’ve loved this book since the first time I read it. The narration was good…no complaints and years after last reading the book, listening to it was just as enjoyable. I’m sure I’ll listen to it again!

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1 person found this helpful