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laurenrocks1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A slow paced book- some interesting plot points especially towards the end. A slow beginning that I had to push myself through. Interesting information given about witches, however!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Death
dawnthoma100's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Bewitching is based on the true story about the witches of Warboys. A wise woman named Alice Samuel is called to the Throckmorton House to assist one of the girls who is experiencing fits. Subsequently, Alice faces accusations of witchcraft and bewitching the young girl. From that point on, the story continues.
The story is told mainly from the pov of Martha, a maid in the Throckmorton house. We follow the family as not one daughter is afflicted by the fits so do the others. I couldn't help but think that the affictions of these young girls was very similar to what happened in Salem and the witch trials there.
The story was enjoyable to me. First of all, it's witchy, which I liked, and secondly, it's based on actual occurrences. Though at points I felt the plot was a bit repetitive , especially around the middle, I did found myself enjoying it. It was made up for in the last section, "The Trial," which also contained more information about Alice and her tale.
All in all, a fascinating novel based on true occurrences.
The story is told mainly from the pov of Martha, a maid in the Throckmorton house. We follow the family as not one daughter is afflicted by the fits so do the others. I couldn't help but think that the affictions of these young girls was very similar to what happened in Salem and the witch trials there.
The story was enjoyable to me. First of all, it's witchy, which I liked, and secondly, it's based on actual occurrences. Though at points I felt the plot was a bit repetitive , especially around the middle, I did found myself enjoying it. It was made up for in the last section, "The Trial," which also contained more information about Alice and her tale.
All in all, a fascinating novel based on true occurrences.
lmex's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
dud_avocado's review against another edition
3.0
A great read, though hard at times. I've read a few in the subgenre of historical fiction about real-life English witch trial, and I found this one refreshing. It builds so slowly without being boring. The 3 stars reflects my actual enjoyment of it but if I had to try to be more objective it would be a higher rating; really well written.
Exciting that this is the second book by Jill Dawson I've read, and the other book was really different but they were both great.
Exciting that this is the second book by Jill Dawson I've read, and the other book was really different but they were both great.
girlglitch's review
4.0
The Bewitching is a compelling novel about Elizabethan womanhood and witchcraft.
There have been quite a few British historical novels about witches of late, and I was interested to see how The Bewitching would approach the topic. Dawson captures the specific nuances of Elizabethan witchcraft well, and there is historical research woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. While it's possible to predict some of the plot twists, that doesn't undermine the sinister atmosphere and the very tangible sense of tension brewing.
Martha is an engaging narrator: caught somewhere between the Throckmorton family and the servants, she is able to piece together different parts fo the story. Alice is delighfully difficult: unlikeable and sympathetic all at once.
If you know anything about the witches of Warboys, the ending is a given, but Dawson still manages to make this retelling a real page-turner.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
There have been quite a few British historical novels about witches of late, and I was interested to see how The Bewitching would approach the topic. Dawson captures the specific nuances of Elizabethan witchcraft well, and there is historical research woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. While it's possible to predict some of the plot twists, that doesn't undermine the sinister atmosphere and the very tangible sense of tension brewing.
Martha is an engaging narrator: caught somewhere between the Throckmorton family and the servants, she is able to piece together different parts fo the story. Alice is delighfully difficult: unlikeable and sympathetic all at once.
If you know anything about the witches of Warboys, the ending is a given, but Dawson still manages to make this retelling a real page-turner.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
jeanmcdonald's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
piedwarbler's review
3.0
A well written historical story based on the true account of the witches of Warboys in the sixteenth century. Dawson brings alive the sights and smells of the setting as well as historical attitudes to women who lived alone. The story is a slow burn that builds to a witchcraft trial. I enjoyed it.
amyosuilleabhain's review against another edition
4.0
a tasty treat, but leaves the 2 main mysteries unsolved at the end
bamairi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A really interesting exploration/ reperformance of all the social politics that created the possibility for and passion that went in to witch trials. The representation of the social stratification and the way it permeated every social interaction was most interesting to me (the misogyny, also, but I've thought more about that). How Alice's refusal to be cowed by her "social betters" creates such rage and threatens the fragile social ecosyste in a way that directly speaks to her "guilt" was really interesting. Also brought in the problem of the enclosures, and the way that the changing religion disrupted people's understanding of what was expected of them and their neighbours. A really clear political drama that took it beyond just the interpersonal gripes (although that, too). The language is fun and atmospheric and the storytelling is gripping, even though you know what will happen from the start.