In times of social, economic and religious strife within misogynistic societies women are much more likely to be unfairly persecuted and suffer at the hands of authoritarian men. One historical example where this was made blatantly obvious was in the mid-17th century witch trials in England – especially during the civil war and Puritan era. There's a blood-curdling sensational aura to the witch hunts that occurred as they are endemically associated with hysteria, the occult and horrific means of state-sanctioned punishment. But A.K. Blakemore brings an insightful and refreshing lyrical realism to her fictional depiction of a period in East Anglia and the Home Counties when hundreds of women (and men) were condemned by a charismatic and pious man named Matthew Hopkins who proclaimed himself to be a Witchfinder General. Thankfully this opportunistic charlatan isn't at the centre of the novel and Blakemore focuses instead on the much more interesting perspectives of a group of women who were often persecuted because they were convenient scapegoats or simply didn't conform to the accepted norms of the time living more on the fringes of society.
The story is told from the point of view of Rebecca West, the daughter of a lively, opinionated widow who is looked down upon by her community and struggles to eke out a living within this gloomy landscape. Rebecca is very clever, observant and seeks to become educated by a scholar she fancies named John Edes. But her plans for romance and social progression are stymied when local speculation about supernatural occurrences reaches an increasingly feverish pitch. It's very effective how Blakemore conveys the gradual transformation of the local population's sensibility. This combined with chilling and creepy atmospheric descriptions means that the narrative which starts at a slow trot eventually develops a galloping pace and becomes absolutely gripping. Though there is no mystery about the tragic fate of the accused witches, the story shines in the sympathetic and complex portraits of these women who come alive through their high-spirited dialogue. It's also so compelling seeing what leads to a crucial decision Rebecca makes amidst the psychologically and sexually twisted interactions she has with Hopkins. This skilfully written historical novel fully transports the reader to these bleak and desperate times while bestowing integrity to these vilified women.
