an0987's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A compelling, jarring and powerful novella. By focusing on this small slice of Duncan’s life, Eagan manages to paint a vivid picture of the injustice and terror of the witch trials. Despite this book’s strengths, I found the language and conversations a bit unbelievable and stilted at times. Perhaps this was purposeful (a la Dostevysky) but I don’t think it quite landed. Instead I found myself doing double takes because of the absurdity of the conversation. The attempts to make more direct links between the witch trials and the modern female experience felt forced. Overall, a poetically written and moving story that weaves magic and realism together in a unique and impactful way. The book left me with a strong feeling that lingers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Sexism, and Sexual violence
kirstym25's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death, Sexual violence, and Torture
bethancy's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A short but difficult read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Torture
Minor: Pregnancy
brittanymcmcmc's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Child death, Rape, Child abuse, and Death
wytherwytch's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I found this quite a disappointing and difficult read. The sentences are a bit abstract and run on and I kind of got a bit lost trying to read it. It didn't hold my attention enough even though the premise was good and interesting. There's loads that didn't make sense to me like it was gatekeeping something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Grief, Child abuse, Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Minor: Classism
franceselsie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Sexual assault, and Child death
empross's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, and Rape
Moderate: Violence, Abortion, Body horror, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
midnarose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5 stars
This was the perfect little book to buy and read when on vacation in the city of Edinburgh. Being in the city where the story is based really added to the atmosphere of the book.
while walking through the old and new town, seeing Edinburgh castle and all the other old buildings you can really see the inspiration for Jenni Fagan's writing.
This book is a retelling of a part of Scottish history, specifically the North Berwick witch trials. It was beautifully written , was a little educational (if you dont know anything about this time in history) and will make you feel so many emotions.
I can't wait to read more from Jenni Fagan
This was the perfect little book to buy and read when on vacation in the city of Edinburgh. Being in the city where the story is based really added to the atmosphere of the book.
while walking through the old and new town, seeing Edinburgh castle and all the other old buildings you can really see the inspiration for Jenni Fagan's writing.
This book is a retelling of a part of Scottish history, specifically the North Berwick witch trials. It was beautifully written , was a little educational (if you dont know anything about this time in history) and will make you feel so many emotions.
I can't wait to read more from Jenni Fagan
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Rape
annemaries_shelves's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
An absolutely perfect (albeit dark) read while on vacation in Edinburgh this summer.
It's dark and violent and sad, as we spend 100 pages with Geillis Duncan, a witch imprisoned in 1591 for witchcraft, as she meets with a witch named Iris from the future. Fagan packs a lot in about womanhood, gender expectations and roles, classism and power dynamics, religion, and the culpability of society in allowing these witch burnings to happen. As expected, it gets a little heavy-handed at times, but considering the limitations of a novella (and the beautiful writing), I'm fine with it.
I really appreciated Geillis and Iris's dynamic and relationship - it was lovely to read.
Definitely recommend as a short, dark read about the realities of witch hunts.
CW: graphic descriptions of torture (including rape), imprisonment, death by hanging.
It's dark and violent and sad, as we spend 100 pages with Geillis Duncan, a witch imprisoned in 1591 for witchcraft, as she meets with a witch named Iris from the future. Fagan packs a lot in about womanhood, gender expectations and roles, classism and power dynamics, religion, and the culpability of society in allowing these witch burnings to happen. As expected, it gets a little heavy-handed at times, but considering the limitations of a novella (and the beautiful writing), I'm fine with it.
I really appreciated Geillis and Iris's dynamic and relationship - it was lovely to read.
Definitely recommend as a short, dark read about the realities of witch hunts.
CW: graphic descriptions of torture (including rape), imprisonment, death by hanging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Rape, and Confinement
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Death, and Classism
medini_l's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, Torture, Child abuse, and Physical abuse