Hex

By: Jenni Fagan

Narrated by: Lianne Walker

A powerfully poignant tale of one of the most turbulent moments in Scotland's history: the North Berwick Witch Trials.

It's the 4th of December 1591.

On this, the last night of her life, in a prison cell several floors below Edinburgh's High Street, convicted witch Geillis Duncan receives a mysterious visitor—Iris, who says she comes from a future where women are still persecuted for who they are and what they believe.

As the hours pass and dawn approaches, Geillis recounts the circumstances of her arrest, brutal torture, confession, and trial, while Iris offers support, solace, and the tantalizing prospect of escape.

Hex is a visceral depiction of what happens when a society is consumed by fear and superstition, exploring how the terrible force of a king's violent crusade against ordinary women can still be felt, right up to the present day.

Contains mature themes.

©2022 Jenni Fagan (P)2024 Tantor

Important piece on Women and Witches right now

What a depressing and yet important and thought provoking piece on women and witches to read post election. If people don’t think we are headed into some version of this again they’re crazy.

Quite powerful

I think this is a must read for any modern witch, but more importantly for any woman or man who would like a unique perspective on the persecution of women throughout history. It was an enjoyable literary fiction.

Flowery prose

You can really tell that Fagan is first and foremost a poet. Too flowery for me to get anything out of it.