I enjoyed the Witches of Vardo very much and will be looking for other books by this author. It is about the witch trials in Norway in 1662 and how the intersection of politics and economics in the kingdom of Denmark/Norway along with the ancient Christian fear of, and need to control, women and indigenous people led to torture, violence, and murder of innocents. One would not think this is a fun read, but it is. It has poetry and an expansive quality to the prose. Several times I read passages off to my daughter because the language was so perfect.
I was also drawn in by the mystery aspect of the story - two mysteries, really. The reader uncovers the past of one of the two main characters, Anna, in the letters she writes to her ex-lover the current King, and of course we await the slow unfolding of the characters’ historical fate through the resolution of the witch trials.
The book is based on historical events, and is very respectful in its treatment of the place, the people, and the various forces at work. I very much liked the magical elements and use of animal symbolism and spiritual power. All of the characters - for better or for worse - are deeply human. I also enjoyed the skillful counterpoint between first and third person POV in the stories of the two main characters. There was also a plot point set up early on and I wondered the whole book how it would play out. The resolution of that element was a delightful surprise - better than all the scenarios I had imagined.
The Witches of Vardo is like an invocation or poem of a rich and raw moment in time, and a history lesson for events I knew very little about. Brava!
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Beautifully written, exciting story
I enjoyed the Witches of Vardo very much and will be looking for other books by this author. It is about the witch trials in Norway in 1662 and how the intersection of politics and economics in the kingdom of Denmark/Norway along with the ancient Christian fear of, and need to control, women and indigenous people led to torture, violence, and murder of innocents. One would not think this is a fun read, but it is. It has poetry and an expansive quality to the prose. Several times I read passages off to my daughter because the language was so perfect.I was also drawn in by the mystery aspect of the story - two mysteries, really. The reader uncovers the past of one of the two main characters, Anna, in the letters she writes to her ex-lover the current King, and of course we await the slow unfolding of the characters’ historical fate through the resolution of the witch trials.The book is based on historical events, and is very respectful in its treatment of the place, the people, and the various forces at work. I very much liked the magical elements and use of animal symbolism and spiritual power. All of the characters - for better or for worse - are deeply human. I also enjoyed the skillful counterpoint between first and third person POV in the stories of the two main characters. There was also a plot point set up early on and I wondered the whole book how it would play out. The resolution of that element was a delightful surprise - better than all the scenarios I had imagined.The Witches of Vardo is like an invocation or poem of a rich and raw moment in time, and a history lesson for events I knew very little about. Brava!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2023
I enjoyed the Witches of Vardo very much and will be looking for other books by this author. It is about the witch trials in Norway in 1662 and how the intersection of politics and economics in the kingdom of Denmark/Norway along with the ancient Christian fear of, and need to control, women and indigenous people led to torture, violence, and murder of innocents. One would not think this is a fun read, but it is. It has poetry and an expansive quality to the prose. Several times I read passages off to my daughter because the language was so perfect.
I was also drawn in by the mystery aspect of the story - two mysteries, really. The reader uncovers the past of one of the two main characters, Anna, in the letters she writes to her ex-lover the current King, and of course we await the slow unfolding of the characters’ historical fate through the resolution of the witch trials.
The book is based on historical events, and is very respectful in its treatment of the place, the people, and the various forces at work. I very much liked the magical elements and use of animal symbolism and spiritual power. All of the characters - for better or for worse - are deeply human. I also enjoyed the skillful counterpoint between first and third person POV in the stories of the two main characters. There was also a plot point set up early on and I wondered the whole book how it would play out. The resolution of that element was a delightful surprise - better than all the scenarios I had imagined.
The Witches of Vardo is like an invocation or poem of a rich and raw moment in time, and a history lesson for events I knew very little about. Brava!
I was also drawn in by the mystery aspect of the story - two mysteries, really. The reader uncovers the past of one of the two main characters, Anna, in the letters she writes to her ex-lover the current King, and of course we await the slow unfolding of the characters’ historical fate through the resolution of the witch trials.
The book is based on historical events, and is very respectful in its treatment of the place, the people, and the various forces at work. I very much liked the magical elements and use of animal symbolism and spiritual power. All of the characters - for better or for worse - are deeply human. I also enjoyed the skillful counterpoint between first and third person POV in the stories of the two main characters. There was also a plot point set up early on and I wondered the whole book how it would play out. The resolution of that element was a delightful surprise - better than all the scenarios I had imagined.
The Witches of Vardo is like an invocation or poem of a rich and raw moment in time, and a history lesson for events I knew very little about. Brava!
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Top reviews from other countries
Cat
Amazing historical fantasy
Reviewed in Spain on May 16, 2023
Cat
Reviewed in Spain on May 16, 2023
This is a haunting slow paced fictional tale inspired by the real persecution, and murder of those considered witches in Vardø in the 17th century.
The superstition so far north in the kingdom of Denmark and Norway was kindling for the fires that burned so many innocent women, children and the ones, like the semi-nomadic Sámi, that didn’t fit, that worshiped other gods.
Here we have a mix of past and present women’s strife in a lyrical narrative telling the interwoven story of a three women and three children arrested for being witches, and that of one noblewoman sharing the same castle exiled by the king for being too outspoken and not going into the shadows as old women are meant to.
The story is told in mostly two POVs, that of one of the teens, sister and daughter of other accused, and the other the noblewoman’s. With some Nordic stories in between parts.
As the author says this book is one to give voice to the thousands of innocents murdered by the fearful, hateful and petty that manipulated the minds of the superstitious and aggrieved, and to make them echo into the present and future, forever living in the hearts of the people like them.
It’s slow going especially in the beginning but so worth it to push forth and dive into this dark, cold, violent, vibrant and fiery story where women suffer, die, but also persist and find happiness, searching inside for their inner lynx, their fierceness and royal-ness.
Like with Burial Rites (which is also inspired by a true story, that of the last burned witch, which also happened to be in the Nordic country of Iceland) I found this to be a tremendous story of women and womanhood.
This is one of my longest reviews and still there’s so much to say about this feminist staple of a book.
P. S.: The mention to the Sámi made me research them and find they’ve always been persecuted and pushed to conversions, it made me want to find more and read from their natives and hear their songs. To make their voice heard louder. They who’ve withstand, these natives to the Laplands with their gods and reindeers, with their songs and colors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Misogyny, Death of parent, Child death, Grief, Blood, Physical abuse, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
Moderate: Hate crime, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Torture, and Racism
Minor: Animal cruelty
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Magnificent
Stunning work - an absolute must read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2023Fee Beris
Best book i have read in years !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2024onebadbaby
An atmospheric read and great historical fiction!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2023