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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
3.5 stars.
Fagan tells the gruesome tale of a teenage girl in 1591 being hanged for 'witchcraft', after being forced to confess through rape and torture at the hands of men.
“A woman’s voice is a hex. She must learn to exalt men always. If she doesn’t do that, then she is a threat. A demon whore, a witch - so says everyone and the law.” (8)
Women can create life within themselves - what is more magic than that? And why does this seem to threaten men? From 16th century accusations of witchcraft to 21st century pro-life debates, women's reproductive systems raise questions in every era.
“We are portals. Humans emerge from our bodies into a world without explanation. Some men hold a brutal kind of grudge for that.” (24)
Fagan reminds us that even in the 21st century, women aren't safe. But there is a safe place for us all to return to - the 'ether' - a bodiless and shapeless world made up of everything and nothing.
“That’s where we were. Before all things! It was what we knew first. We were in the space before time. It held us formless and colourless and boneless and mindless. It was the time when we were most true.” (94)
This book is heart-wrenching but important.
Fagan tells the gruesome tale of a teenage girl in 1591 being hanged for 'witchcraft', after being forced to confess through rape and torture at the hands of men.
“A woman’s voice is a hex. She must learn to exalt men always. If she doesn’t do that, then she is a threat. A demon whore, a witch - so says everyone and the law.” (8)
Women can create life within themselves - what is more magic than that? And why does this seem to threaten men? From 16th century accusations of witchcraft to 21st century pro-life debates, women's reproductive systems raise questions in every era.
“We are portals. Humans emerge from our bodies into a world without explanation. Some men hold a brutal kind of grudge for that.” (24)
Fagan reminds us that even in the 21st century, women aren't safe. But there is a safe place for us all to return to - the 'ether' - a bodiless and shapeless world made up of everything and nothing.
“That’s where we were. Before all things! It was what we knew first. We were in the space before time. It held us formless and colourless and boneless and mindless. It was the time when we were most true.” (94)
This book is heart-wrenching but important.
“A woman’s voice is a hex.”
Feminine rage in its purest form. A love letter to a Scottish “witch”, providing her comfort hundreds of years after her execution. Regardless of whose perspective you’re reading, regardless of the time period, the truth rings out: women have always been silenced as an act of suppression so powerful men thrive.
Feminine rage in its purest form. A love letter to a Scottish “witch”, providing her comfort hundreds of years after her execution. Regardless of whose perspective you’re reading, regardless of the time period, the truth rings out: women have always been silenced as an act of suppression so powerful men thrive.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
informative
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:
No
"Hex" (noun): a magic spell; a curse.
"Hex" (verb): cast a spell on; bewitch.
I really enjoyed this book. It reads more like a sonnet or a short essay, but it is impactful nonetheless. It draws sad similarities between the era of the witch trials and the present day inequalities of gender, race, and wealth. The prose was beautiful and the symbolism stays with you.
“A woman’s voice is a hex. She must learn to exalt men always. If she doesn’t do that, then she is a threat. A demon whore, a witch – so says everyone and the law”.”
― Jenni Fagan, Hex
"Hex" (verb): cast a spell on; bewitch.
I really enjoyed this book. It reads more like a sonnet or a short essay, but it is impactful nonetheless. It draws sad similarities between the era of the witch trials and the present day inequalities of gender, race, and wealth. The prose was beautiful and the symbolism stays with you.
“A woman’s voice is a hex. She must learn to exalt men always. If she doesn’t do that, then she is a threat. A demon whore, a witch – so says everyone and the law”.”
― Jenni Fagan, Hex
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A punchy little book! A retelling of witch trials and I loved the female rage