Iris
asked
Stacy Schiff:
Numerous books have been written about the Salem Witch Trials, what made you decide to tackle a topic that is so thoroughly covered?
Stacy Schiff
A number of things, the first of which was that they seemed so urgently relevant. As much as the Salem shelf sags already, there was no modern narrative account of the witchcraft epidemic; most of the books are thesis-driven. I felt it was possible to burrow further into the early American mind, to make this cast of characters feel less one-dimensional. We have a great deal on paper of what they hoped for and what they feared; they reported as much to the court, when they described their conversations with the devil.
More Answered Questions
Carolyn
asked
Stacy Schiff:
Not really a question? But I just want to say that I have very much enjoyed your books. You a a wonderful conversational style and have the ability to bring an historical figure and time to life. And you do great research to ensure accuracy OK. I had to include a question mark or it wouldn't take it. Silly, huh?
LydiaJoy
asked
Stacy Schiff:
I'm not sure I'm following the rules, because this is a question about Cleopatra. Loved your book! There are still so many mysteries about Cleopatra. Is there a lost dream object out there -- something where you would say "If archeologists could only find X, it would tell us so much about Cleopatra?"
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