BOTW: October book club selections

This is the October selection for my AAUW branch book group. 

In Puritan-ruled Boston in the 1660s a wife was subject to her husband. If the marriage was troubled it was likely her fault and the cause was often attributed to a lack of Godliness. In public the miller Thomas Deerfield was a prosperous, Godly businessman, though somewhat overfond of drinking at the tavern. In private he physically and emotionally abused his much-younger second wife Mary. Some bruises she could cover and explain away as clumsiness. Then he jammed a fork into the back of her hand and ordered her to tell people she had bruised it on the spout of the teakettle. Mary resolved to leave him and petitioned the court for a divorce, and action positively unheard-of for the times.   Not only did she endure that trial but she was also brought before the magistrates on accusation of witchcraft and consorting with the Devil. 

Mary Deerfield was smart and determined. She advocated for herself in front of the authorities. She was strategic in planning her own defense. The suspenseful tale comes to a very unexpected resolution.

Chris Bohjalian is a master at weaving a tale out of a subject we are aware of but likely haven't thought much about. There is much to think about and discuss.

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Becoming Nicole is the October selection for the P.E.O. online book group.  
 

In 1997 Kathy and Wayne Maines adopted identical twin infants whom they named Jonas and Wyatt.   At a very young age (pre-kindergarten) Wyatt showed a marked preference for girls' clothing, toys, and activities.   Wyatt insisted he was female.   It took adjustment for everyone, but Kathy and Wayne put their child's well-being first.  For the most part school personnel were cooperative, but one man in town harassed Wyatt (now Nicole) and the family and forced a 2007 court case for birth-gender restrooms.   At age 18 Nicole had gender-affirming surgery.  

I admire the Maines family and their support for their transgender daughter as they dealt with bigotry and ignorance. And they triumphed!