A Break with Charity

A Story about the Salem Witch Trials

By: Ann Rinaldi

Narrated by: Laura Hicks

Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Susanna desperately wants to join the circle of girls who meet every week at the parsonage. What she doesn’t realize is that the leader of the group, the malicious Ann Putnam, is about to set off a torrent of false accusations leading to the imprisonment and execution of countless innocent people. When Susanna puts the pieces together, she faces a painful choice. She can keep quiet and let the witch-hunt panic continue, or she can “break charity” with the group—and risk having her family named as witches.

©2013 Ann Rinaldi (P)2013 AudioGO

Critic reviews

"Rich with details…A Break with Charity portrays an excruciating era in American history from a unique perspective, and it will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy psychology, the supernatural, and history." ( School Library Journal)

"Rinaldi’s research is flawless and her period familiarity striking, but her strongest power is as a storyteller." ( Children’s Literature)

"A graceful blend of fiction and history.... The artful placement of Susannah as an observer provides a 360-degree view of the causes and effects of inexplicable mass persecution. At the same time, the author’s quiet, factual style stands in a soothing contrast to her inherently shocking and histrionic subject matter. Finely tuned, well researched, and very accessible, this novel ranks with Rinaldi’s finest work." ( Publishers Weekly)

Good story, narrator okay

So the narrator almost steered me away from this book. She seems a bit robotic throughout the first few chapters. However, once the story gets rolling her voice takes on a bit more life.

Interesting Historical Fiction

Picked up this audio version of a book by an author I had previously read. I like historical fiction and while this book was written for a younger audience, I found it fascinating. I regularly googled elements of the story to find that much of it is historically accurate while woven into a fiction story. Very interesting. Probably not for everyone, but I enjoyed It and am now looking for another book by this author.

Interesting

Would you consider the audio edition of A Break with Charity to be better than the print version?

Yes, the narrator does a pretty good job of bringing the characters to life, her interpretation of the personality of the story if pretty good.

Which character – as performed by Laura Hicks – was your favorite?

Susanna English

Perfect history book for young readers

This was a very well written story in which the author definitely did her homework and knew her facts. It definitely is written for younger folks but I still liked it. The narrator was over dramatic!!

A very worthwhile read!

So interesting to be reading this book, about dissent and division within a community that turned highly political, during Covid times. Although written in the 90s, it’s striking how little has changed between the 1700s, the late 1900s, and 2021! It’s really fascinating, as we question what freedom means in America (think masks and vaccines) to read about The people of Salem questioning what freedom and American values were supposed to look like back then. Aside from all that though, this is just such a well written, engaging story. I had to read the crucible by Arthur Miller as a student, and I wish that I had had access to this book 2, so historical and yet so much fun and so approachable. I’m sure you will find it hard, as I did, to tear yourself away!

Fact or fiction

Guess I was looking for a more factual account instead if all the inventing skillfully done by the author. Not one of my favorites, but it did hold my attention.

Captivating Story, Interesting Subject Matter

Would you listen to A Break with Charity again? Why?

Yes, I very much enjoyed the novel. Both the subject matter and the story are captivating and the author is able to draw readers in and keep them listening/turning pages.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character is this story is flawed, just like everyone else. She makes choices in her life and then must live with the consequences of those choices. The story did not necessarily have a happy ending and was aptly able to convey a moral.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Susanna is chastised by Joseph for not coming forward earlier. She made some obvious errors in judgement, doing the wrong things to protect her family. Joseph did a good job acting as a conscience and evoking an emotional response in the reader, feeling the position Susanna had been out in.

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

When Susanna decides to let go of her anger and hate and forgive Ann Putnam. She seems to have realized that not letting go would continue to be a blight upon her own life.

Good Teen Book

I listened to this in the car on the way to Salem with my daughter, to get the full experience. The book was good; Salem (around Halloween) good for those under 12, perhaps. The definitive book, Salem Possessed, explains it for adults (it was political). I'm so glad I was born in the 20th century . . . .

Fascinating.

Great and fascinating historical fiction. Great narration. I enjoyed the author’s explanation of the history at the end of the book also. Highly recommend.

Terrible book do not bother

This book has terrible pacing so you cant tell what time it is and how old everyone is and it jumps almost 20 years ahead and doesn't mention the date until halfway through the chapter. Almost everyone has the same handful of first names so its nearly impossible to differentiate between characters. The main antagonist and her mother are both named Ann Putnam and it's almost never mentioned who is being talked about/to.