A fabulously detailed, richly drawn portrait of a community and its collective and individual responses to difference, disability, times of trouble, grief and the conflict between religion and traditional spirituality. Part of what makes Hannah Kent's writing so powerful is its historical basis. She uses her source material to flesh out the awful tale. It reminded me of Terry Pratchett's books that feature the witches and how he must have had a similar source material, although he obviously portrayed them in a vastly different way and told a very different story. Hannah Kent's book is far more human and tragic and awful, though. 
 A gripping, thrilling read. Looking forward to her next.