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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
sad
fast-paced
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am fascinated by witch trial stories and was looking for a particular book about the first great witch trial in Scotland during the period of King James VI when I stumbled upon “Hex” by the brilliant Scottish author Jenni Fagan, published as part of Darkland Tales. Hex is the heartbreaking reimagining of the last hours of Geillis Duncan’s life, a young woman accused of witchcraft, exploring her thoughts, fears, and memories as she awaits execution. The novel is a masterful blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and lyrical prose that transported me into 16th-century Scotland. Fagan's narrative oozes feelings of fear, resilience, anger, and despair, making “Hex” an incredibly compelling read from start to finish.
The book starts – and I must be careful not to give too much away, as this is a short and powerful book – with Iris describing an astral travel from recent days to medieval Scotland, where she meets Geillis Duncan in her cell. Fagan cleverly titles the chapters with the timeline, adding subtlety to the theme of time travel (or should I say astral time travel?). Throughout the book, Geillis and Iris converse, often sharing their fears and anger but also comfort. There is a lyrical tone, almost musical, with a particular rhythm that is hypnotic, and I felt extremely immersed in the story. Fagan portrays Geillis as a character of profound depth and strength, mixing elements of folklore and historical context, crafting a unique book.
Fagan's writing is both poetic and gripping, with each chapter revealing layers of Geillis and Iris's characters and the societal pressures that led to her accusation whilst providing depth to secondary characters, such as her accuser. The author's ability to intertwine past and present, reality and myth, adds a unique dimension to the novel. I particularly love this blending style between poetry and prose. The dialogue and interactions are intense, reflecting the tensions and fears of an era obsessed with witch hunts. The passage “A woman’s voice is a hex” perfectly describes one of the themes of this book and I hope you can see the deeper meaning spread throughout the book.
In “Hex”, you can find comments on themes of injustice, persecution, magic and the strength of the human spirit. The novel is a poignant reminder of the dangers of ignorance and the resilience of those who stand against it, especially women, and how far, or not, we have come as a righteous society. Fagan's work is a testament to her skill as a storyteller, offering a memento to Geillis Duncan and the many silenced voices during the Scottish witch hunts in a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys witch trial books and beautiful lyrical prose. Did I forget to mention a good stomach?
The book starts – and I must be careful not to give too much away, as this is a short and powerful book – with Iris describing an astral travel from recent days to medieval Scotland, where she meets Geillis Duncan in her cell. Fagan cleverly titles the chapters with the timeline, adding subtlety to the theme of time travel (or should I say astral time travel?). Throughout the book, Geillis and Iris converse, often sharing their fears and anger but also comfort. There is a lyrical tone, almost musical, with a particular rhythm that is hypnotic, and I felt extremely immersed in the story. Fagan portrays Geillis as a character of profound depth and strength, mixing elements of folklore and historical context, crafting a unique book.
Fagan's writing is both poetic and gripping, with each chapter revealing layers of Geillis and Iris's characters and the societal pressures that led to her accusation whilst providing depth to secondary characters, such as her accuser. The author's ability to intertwine past and present, reality and myth, adds a unique dimension to the novel. I particularly love this blending style between poetry and prose. The dialogue and interactions are intense, reflecting the tensions and fears of an era obsessed with witch hunts. The passage “A woman’s voice is a hex” perfectly describes one of the themes of this book and I hope you can see the deeper meaning spread throughout the book.
In “Hex”, you can find comments on themes of injustice, persecution, magic and the strength of the human spirit. The novel is a poignant reminder of the dangers of ignorance and the resilience of those who stand against it, especially women, and how far, or not, we have come as a righteous society. Fagan's work is a testament to her skill as a storyteller, offering a memento to Geillis Duncan and the many silenced voices during the Scottish witch hunts in a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys witch trial books and beautiful lyrical prose. Did I forget to mention a good stomach?
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced