ashieee 's review for:

Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials by Marion Gibson

4.0

informative reflective slow-paced

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I’ve always found the topic of witch trials fascinating - I remember being obsessed with The Crucible when I read it in high school. This was a well-documented and empathic account over several centuries focusing on the way witch trials are used as a weapon to uphold patriarchy and control women, especially women of colour, the poor, the disabled, and women who try to exercise their rights (e.g. questioning religion, sexual and financial freedom, etc). I only wish the second half in particular could have explored other continents or cultures other than just Africa and Europe, like the Pacific Islands, South America and Asia. I would have loved less on how straight white cis men have “used” the witch label to paint themselves as a victim and more on women who actually continue to be victimised by accusations of witchcraft.