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A review by hannahmariebrankley
The Last Witch of Scotland by Philip Paris
5.0
When I was scrolling through Amazon, I saw this on offer and nabbed it whilst I could.
Set in the Scottish highlands in 1727, we meet Aila and her mother Janet. Tragedy struck their family a few years earlier when Aila's father was killed in a fire. A fire that left Aila with visible injuries.
Whilst Aila and her mother get on with life, trying to keep a roof over their heads and work through the grief, a new minister is appointed to their congregation. But rather than being welcoming, the minister has a unhealthy curiosity about the two women.
Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, we meet Jack and his travelling band of misfits. A makeshift family drawn together through hard times who put on plays and shows. Upon meeting Jack, Aila opens herself up to a possibility she never thought of before; having someone in her life who loves her romantically. But, it seems that fate or rather a minister is looking to destroy that. And create the narrative that witches are amongst them...
Philip Paris wrote this historical fiction inspired by the true story of the last woman to be executed for Witchcraft in Britain. At the end of the book, the author notes this and was lovely in explaining how they hoped to have done them justice with their fictional contributions. It was one of those books I couldn't put down. When I think about the witchcraft trials, I always think of Salem. I sometimes forget that they happened in the UK too.
This was my favourite read of September. I felt the author was able to show a different side to the horror of witchcraft trials. Namely, how it feels to watch one happen to someone you deeply care for. The ending was just the perfect way to close that chapter on the fictional writings of Philip Paris. And yet, open up the historical truth. 5 stars.
Set in the Scottish highlands in 1727, we meet Aila and her mother Janet. Tragedy struck their family a few years earlier when Aila's father was killed in a fire. A fire that left Aila with visible injuries.
Whilst Aila and her mother get on with life, trying to keep a roof over their heads and work through the grief, a new minister is appointed to their congregation. But rather than being welcoming, the minister has a unhealthy curiosity about the two women.
Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, we meet Jack and his travelling band of misfits. A makeshift family drawn together through hard times who put on plays and shows. Upon meeting Jack, Aila opens herself up to a possibility she never thought of before; having someone in her life who loves her romantically. But, it seems that fate or rather a minister is looking to destroy that. And create the narrative that witches are amongst them...
Philip Paris wrote this historical fiction inspired by the true story of the last woman to be executed for Witchcraft in Britain. At the end of the book, the author notes this and was lovely in explaining how they hoped to have done them justice with their fictional contributions. It was one of those books I couldn't put down. When I think about the witchcraft trials, I always think of Salem. I sometimes forget that they happened in the UK too.
This was my favourite read of September. I felt the author was able to show a different side to the horror of witchcraft trials. Namely, how it feels to watch one happen to someone you deeply care for. The ending was just the perfect way to close that chapter on the fictional writings of Philip Paris. And yet, open up the historical truth. 5 stars.