Book Review: In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women are Still on Trial
As somebody with a historical past diploma, probably the most irritating questions I get requested is alongside the strains of “why do you care about historical past, it occurred so way back, what’s the purpose?” I might write a whole ebook answering this, however as an alternative, I’ll throw a duplicate of In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet at you and inform you to learn it as an alternative.
In this ebook, creator Mona Chollet appears to be like on the historical past of witch trials and why they’re nonetheless related right this moment. I took a number of programs on witchcraft in college and love studying about this matter and connecting the dots between why ladies, up to now and now, have been persecuted in opposition to. We’re both too outdated, too ugly, too mysterious, too reserved (or too slutty), or a mixture of the entire above. If we have a look at somebody the flawed approach, are within the flawed place on the flawed time, or put on one thing deemed ‘inappropriate’ by whoever is making The Decisions™️ that day, we’re in charge for every part. In the previous it was a lady’s fault for her neighbor’s crop failure, right this moment, we’re in charge for our personal assaults. The insanity by no means ends.
Regardless of the choices that ladies make, folks (*cough highly effective, straight white males*) will discover one thing to complain about. The chapter on this ebook on a ladies’s determination to have kids hit near house for me, because it’s one thing I’m continuously requested about. The determination to stay child-free may be very private, but I’m vilified for it time and time once more.
The first half of the ebook focuses on the historical past of witchcraft, whereas the latter half focuses on feminist points and their ties to witches. Topics explored embody age, kids, marriage, independence, and extra. It’s equal elements historical past lesson and social commentary, and is certain to get you riled up.
Thank you to the writer, St. Martin’s Press, for a digital ARC of In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet by way of NetGalley. It went on sale on March 8, 2022, and may be bought wherever books are bought.
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