A review by thequeercaseofmarius
Cunning Folk: Life in the Era of Practical Magic by Tabitha Stanmore

informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

An extraordinary insight into medieval and early modern magic and its often misunderstood practitioners. I have been fascinated about cunning folk for the longest time but it has been difficult to find a book about them as intellectual and well-researched as this one is.

Tabitha Stanmore hasn’t just proven herself as a great historian but also as a great writer. The delivery of her research is dynamic and alive, taking a humanistic approach which lends a strong understanding of the very real people who practiced magic and those who sought after it. Fewer books makes our history feel as tangible as this one does. It was an enjoyable read from start to finish and a new favourite addition to my bookshelf. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Islamophobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Xenophobia, Grief, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol

The majority of the content I’ve listed in the trigger warnings are from historical records and writings that were included in the book.