From Witchcraft to Christ by Doreen Irvine

by Doreen Irvine

From poverty, drugs to prostitution to a life of joy and freedom, this story charts one woman's entanglement with the occult and her eventual dramatic release. Doreen's experience may be extreme, yet it still offers hope, especially to those who believe they are too far gone to be forgiven.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Biography, Christianity, Religion, Spirituality

Paperback

First published February 20, 1973

Reviews

[J.T. Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

First published in 1973 and amazingly never out of print, Doreen Irvine's autobiography is unbelievable: as in, not believable. It starts off as a prototype of the then-unknown misery memoir (as an evacuee relocated to Uxbridge, she had no bed, just a pile of dirty coats; no curtains, just sacks doubling as blackout curtains; drunken, abusive binman father), but quickly degenerates into schlocky nonsense as she goes from hooker to junkie to prison to Satanist to Queen of Black Witches. (The book conflates Satanism, voodoo and witchcraft; voodoo dolls are referred to as "witchcraft dolls" and Doreen herself is the mistress of "the chief Satanist".) Luckily, a chance visit to a church is enough for her to convert to Christianity and, apparently, have 47 demons driven out of her. Surely this is grossly inefficient overstaffing: 47 demons to one woman? You're telling me there were 46 of you and you still radioed for backup?

Anyway. The book must be allegorical, or at least wildly exaggerated; taken literally, it's an offensively nonsensical jumble of confused quasi-religious iconography, outright lies and downright cobblers. Irvine's apparent motivation for writing the memoir is to warn people that Satanism/witchcraft is on the rise. No wonder that's the case, however, as according to her own text, becoming a witch means you're endowed with cool powers like invisibility, telekinetic powers and levitation, as well as the bisexual orgies on Dartmoor that are cliché in these texts. As a Christian, she mysteriously recovers from brain damage, exorcises children and apparently gains the power to convert people with merely a sentence, but, well, these new tricks lack the razzmatazz of her dark magic.

You're left with the impression that poor Doreen might be (or might have been) highly impressionable, whimsically turning in the direction of whoever has the most charismatic voice at the time, but I was reminded most strongly of repellent autolieography 'Go Ask Alice' and the equally fraudulent JT Leroy's 'The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things', served up with a large slice of ham from a Hammer horror movie. Twelve months ago, I read Erich von Daniken's equally preposterous 'The Gold of the Gods': spring is the season for reading dross.

[Calle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't doubt the author when she says she had a terrible childhood, that she was a prostitute and a drug addict. But the brief chapters about satanism and witchcraft doesn't seem the least credible. If this group was so secretive, how come she was so easily invited to their temple? If she was crowned queen of witchcraft, how come she can't give us any information about the people in this group, that allegedly had 500 members in London alone and members in other countries as well, all of whom she met? Why can't she name anybody or provide any verifiable information to corroborate her incredible story? Isn't that what someone would do if they wanted to expose such a dangerous group? She doesn't even seem to know the name of the group and won't even give the name of its leader who was her boyfriend.

No, the book seems to be the result of the imagination of a heroin addict who watched too many Hammer Horror films. The only reason I can think of why this is still in print after over 40 years is that some Christians will believe in, and buy, anything.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

For months I resisted reading this book, now I've read it I have to ask myself why? What an amazing story of salvation and the lengths Christ will go to in pursuing those he loves so much. The praise for Jesus rings from nearly every page (omitting of course her earlier life story). This was a real eye opener for me, although it shouldn't have been having dabbled in tarot readings before I came to Christ. It was the demon possession that surprised me, although I am well aware of biblical accounts of such I didn't think it still occurred. This book has challenged my thinking on the subject. Doreen passionately preaches Christ and the great dangers of the Occult but as it should be the emphasis is on our great Lord and Saviour.

[Fed · Rating 5 out of 5]

It amazes me to see that someone so far from Christ found Christ and truly gave up ashes to find beauty. If anyone doubts the power of the blood of Christ they should read this testimony.

[Anna Saxon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The original 70s cover is the best thing about this book

[Charlotte Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralled!! A definite recommend to people in recovery or looking to open their hearts to the Lord.

[Ramya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading this wonderful book.

[Waterstone's Camberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those that think evil is not real and no more than a fairy story this book will show you how wrong you are. From Queen witch who invoked the power of Satan himself to Christian who needed the power of Jesus Christ to save her very soul from eternal damnation. Having signed her soul to satan with her own blood Doreen tells this terrfying story of her fight back to safety.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So griping that I had to read it in one sitting

[Marion Norrgård · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in Swedish. It was very intresting but I would have wanted more about her own life and less talk about God/Jesus.

[Kathleen Allen]

Looking at photos, Doreen Irvine appears to have been quite uncharismatic as a person; yet in this book, she claims to have been made Queen of the Witches. Was she really assigned such kudos by a group of shadowy and mysterious people? How should you treat somebody who makes claims like this? People who don't care one way or another about religion will have their doubts; and genuine devil worshippers would know who was who in the Satanist hierarchy, assuming there were enough of them to actually have one. A Doreen Irvine type would have to seek out the more fearful and suggestible among Christians for her stories to gain traction, and this indeed is what Irvine managed to accomplish.

[Some Christian Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The inspiring story of Doreen Irvine, who was a prostitute, drug addict, satanist, and witch… and who then was saved by Jesus Christ.

Her child-like faith and complete trust in her Savior is inspiring. She knew and believed that she had been completely forgiven for her past.

How wonderful that we serve a God who washes us clean of all our sins? That no one is beyond His ability to save?

Praise God! 🙌

[Cheryl Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that highlights the dangers associated with the occult. An important book to read which spells out so clearly how demons can get in and deliverance is needed. Doreen Irvine has very bravely told her story with honesty. Christ is the victor over sin and death. He can defeat all the demons. He turned the authors life around and she in turn led many to Christ through her story.

[Angie Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Doreen shares so much from her life before Christ (which is necessary for her testimony) I love that she finished so strongly on the importance of putting all the focus on Christ. He is the one to be exalted and she makes that incredibly clear.
Praise God for all He did through Doreen and so many others as they've surrended their life to Him.

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. Several times when recounting what happened during her time as the ‘Witch Queen’ (sure you were) Doreen writes “it was too horrible to write about.”

Girl. You’re an author. Your ONLY job is to write about it.

[Raymond Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A real life scenario of how an easy end child grew up to be a witch and then gave her life to Christ...hence the title but it is a good book, I recommend it.

[Alison B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. A powerful testimony, clearly written.

[Mr S Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good personal story, not everyone's cup of tea. as the title shows

[Lynda Goldie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this book

[TJ Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating read. A poor girl in 1930's England chronicles the true story of her fall into prostitution, satanism and witchcraft. And then details her unlikely journey back to Christ.

[Christopher Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography is about a woman who was a prostitute and a witch. Some of the stories seem unbelievable, such as when the author said her and other witches made themselves invisible. Perhaps the incident did happen, people say “the best trick the devil pulls is convincing the world he doesn’t exist.”

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was recommended this by my Christian grandmother (I'm a Christian as well) who asked me if I believed in witchcraft. A memoir of extreme polar opposite situations from a life of poverty and witchcraft to a life rejoicing in the name of Christ, I was expecting this to be a fascinating read.

The book in part was a fascinating read. It had a good start with the chapters about the poverty and prostitution and then edged slowly downhill from there. I felt the middle section of the book on the witchcraft was very sketchy and not enough detail and the section at the end about Christ was too much in comparison.

Overall, I enjoyed this book but it could be improved by including more about her general life, and how that interlinked with the prostitution, the witchcraft and finding Christ? At the very end of the book she mentioned she has a husband? Where does he fit in? In the acknowledgements, she thanks her four children. Adding this in could have added extra depth to what really is an extraordinary life.

[Fiona Robson · Rating 1 out of 5]

“From poverty, drugs to prostitution to a life of joy and freedom, this story charts one woman's entanglement with the occult and her eventual dramatic release. Doreen's experience may be extreme, yet it still offers hope, especially to those who believe they are too far gone to be forgiven.”

A friend recommended this and I was interested in terms of wondering how prevalent Satanism is.

However, I was a little disappointed because it wasn’t too well written and didn’t really provide much detail!

[Meirav Berale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hugely encouraging testimony of a woman who came out of the darkest pit by the power of Jesus. Very powerful and uplifting.

And if you believe you are beyond God's reach, if you feel that you have sunk so low that there is no hope for you - read this woman's true story and hear the truth: no one is beyond God's reach!

[Breakthru International · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book that listened to Doreen online. She shares her life story in an open and inspiring way. Her testimony highlights the strategies of the occult and the churches responsibility to be aware of plans that are being implemented today.

www.breakthruinternational.co.uk

[Rachel Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this a few times over the years and it never fails to amaze me. Such a great testimony of faith and the struggles of coming to faith