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We are all Witches
From 1563 to 1736 Scotland put thousands of women to death for witchcraft. Their supposed crimes have much to tell us about attitudes to women in the past, and in the present day. This book introduces sixteen women who lost their lives or lived in the long shadow of the persecutions. 'Witches' who, like MARGARET AITKEN, confessed, implicated others, even aided the hunters before they were burned. Nonconforming women like MARY MACLEOD, who saw their reputations tarnished when they did not bend to society's expectations. Creatures of the imagination, like Robert Burns's NANNY, who embody deep-seated associations between womanhood and the occult. Weaving fiction with the facts where these are known, We Are All Witches invites the reader to explore the forces at work in one of the darkest episodes of Scotland's history and consider their echoes in the present day.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published October 6, 2022
18 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Mairi Kidd
22 books33 followersMairi Kidd is Head of Literature, Languages and Publishing at Creative Scotland. She was formerly Managing Director of Barrington Stoke, a prize-winning publisher. A fluent Gaelic speaker, she has an MA in Celtic Studies from Edinburgh University. As CEO of Stòrlann, the National Gaelic Education Resource Agency, she worked with Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and local authorities. She is a contributor to BBC Radio nan Gàidheal's books coverage and writes for broadcast, including Gaelic comedy series FUNC.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 2, 2022
*Thank you to Black and White publishing for sending me a gorgeous copy of this book!*
This book was a real wild card for me, I was immediately drawn in by the premise but the promise of a blend of fact and fiction initially confused me. But as I started reading, I immediately understood what the book was trying to achieve and I think it did it really well. I don’t think this was necessarily designed to be read cover to cover, but it was so interesting and drew me in so much that’s exactly what I did.
This is a nonfiction book like no other, and if you’re new to the nonfiction genre this would be a greta one to pick up. It taught me so much about the history of witches, to which I was mostly oblivious of. As well as being informative and doing justice to the real history, we have an amazing and engaging element through the short stories that are sprinkled throughout, envisioning what may have happened to these people, or pieces inspired by their lives. It was really beautifully written, and I enjoyed the mixture of narratives, it really kept things moving forward nicely and was really engaging to read.
It was well written, and everything was explained in a very digestible way that was easy to get to grips with. The book is also really nicely formatted, not only easy on the eyes but it makes it super easy to dip in and out of, or stop after a couple of pages. Though the content is heavy, the writing doesn’t feel overly dense so it was quite easy to read for me. It also has some of the most gorgeous art sprinkled through, which is lovely to look at. Not only does this book arm you with a lot of knowledge and entertain you with short stories, but its one to make you think. Along the way there are many thought provoking questions presented to the reader, which I found really works as starting a conversation and dialogue around some of these difficult or taboo subjects. It was brilliantly done.
The only reason this one wasn’t a five star for me, was that I struggled quite a bit with some of the old Scottish dialects within the short stories. Though there is a glossary at the back of the book and some stories have translations woven in, I was left sometimes still a bit confused. Because of this, there were some stories I couldn’t follow or get to grips with very well, so they went over my head.
This book was a real wild card for me, I was immediately drawn in by the premise but the promise of a blend of fact and fiction initially confused me. But as I started reading, I immediately understood what the book was trying to achieve and I think it did it really well. I don’t think this was necessarily designed to be read cover to cover, but it was so interesting and drew me in so much that’s exactly what I did.
This is a nonfiction book like no other, and if you’re new to the nonfiction genre this would be a greta one to pick up. It taught me so much about the history of witches, to which I was mostly oblivious of. As well as being informative and doing justice to the real history, we have an amazing and engaging element through the short stories that are sprinkled throughout, envisioning what may have happened to these people, or pieces inspired by their lives. It was really beautifully written, and I enjoyed the mixture of narratives, it really kept things moving forward nicely and was really engaging to read.
It was well written, and everything was explained in a very digestible way that was easy to get to grips with. The book is also really nicely formatted, not only easy on the eyes but it makes it super easy to dip in and out of, or stop after a couple of pages. Though the content is heavy, the writing doesn’t feel overly dense so it was quite easy to read for me. It also has some of the most gorgeous art sprinkled through, which is lovely to look at. Not only does this book arm you with a lot of knowledge and entertain you with short stories, but its one to make you think. Along the way there are many thought provoking questions presented to the reader, which I found really works as starting a conversation and dialogue around some of these difficult or taboo subjects. It was brilliantly done.
The only reason this one wasn’t a five star for me, was that I struggled quite a bit with some of the old Scottish dialects within the short stories. Though there is a glossary at the back of the book and some stories have translations woven in, I was left sometimes still a bit confused. Because of this, there were some stories I couldn’t follow or get to grips with very well, so they went over my head.
November 27, 2022
Book Review: 'We Are All Witches – ‘Bad’ Women to Live Your Life By'* by Mairi Kidd.
Publisher: Black and White Books
Release Date: 6th October, 2022
About the Author
Mairi Kidd is a writer, publisher and translator. She is the Head of Literature at Creative Scotland; Scotland’s national art development body. Previously, Mairi has worked as a writer in English and Gaelic for the BBC as well as other TV, stage and radio clients.
Some of her other books include:
- Warriors and Witches and Damn Rebel Bitches – Scottish Women to Live Your Life By,
- Feisty and Fiery and Fierce – Badass Women to Live Your Life By.
She lives by the sea with her husband and black cat.
About the Book
'We Are All Witches' comes as the Scottish Parliament look set to pardon nearly four thousand of those who were convicted, and in most cases executed, for witchcraft. It explores women from history, mythology and folklore; from Isobel Gowdie to Geillis Duncan. The stories encourage the reader to humanise the very real people behind the persecutions, whilst offering reflections on modern life. From gender politics, the prosecution of violence to reproductive rights. The book aims to show the strong parallels the stories have with modern-day misogyny, and invites readers to examine their beliefs.
Blurb:
“From 1563 to 1736 Scotland put thousands of women to death for witchcraft. Their supposed crimes have much to tell us about attitudes to women in the past, and in the present day. This book introduces sixteen women who lost their lives or lived in the long shadow of the persecutions.
‘Witches’ who, like MARGARET AITKEN, confessed, implicated others, even aided the hunters before they were burned.
Nonconforming women like MART MACLEOD, who saw their reputations tarnished when they did not bend to society’s expectations.
Creatures of the imagination, like Robert Burns’s NANNY, who embody deep-seated associations between womanhood and the occult.
Weaving fiction with the facts where these are known, 'We Are All Witches' invites the reader to explore the forces at work in one of the darkest episodes of Scotland’s history and consider their echoes in the present day.”
My Thoughts
I think it’s important to state, at the beginning of this review, that I consider myself a Witch. If you are a regular here, chances are you consider yourself a Witch too. So it’s important to make the distinction between the Witchcraft that many practice today, and the ‘witches’ of the past. That is to say that the ‘witches’ who were persecuted and/or executed during the witch-trials were likely not witches at all. They were just men and women.
'We Are All Witches' focuses on Scottish ‘witches’ and women. It combines history and lore; using fiction to present real women and their stories, along with fictional witches from Scottish folklore.
Opening with a useful history of Scotland and the Witchcraft act, the author provides useful context for the stories to come. Similarly, an explanation of ‘magic’ is given in a very balanced way that takes into account the social context. In one instance magic was seen in divination, fortune telling, charms, religious rituals and herbal medicine; all the things that Witches today would consider part of their magical practices. However, it was more likely that accusations of magic were a way to persecute people for being different or outsiders, and in acts of revenge or for personal gain.
It’s quite obvious from the beginning that this is feminist book; it’s a social issues book using the lens of the witch-hunts to examine modern prejudices. Exploring the witch-hunts as the persecution of women, (although it does acknowledge that men were also accused, and/or executed) due to the belief that women were inferior helps to highlight that this idea still exists today. Furthermore, it brings focus to prejudice and discrimination, not just as a feminist cause, but against any marginalised person.
Even though I would not consider this a history book, it does give you the context you need. Balancing a commentary of ‘what we know’; the evidence and knowledge of the witch-trials, with fictional details of ‘how it might have been’. It puts the real history into perspective. One example of this is the story of Margaret Bane. In the fictionalised, ‘how it might have been’ Margaret is described as aiding women with abortions. Even though this was not included in historical records, it is very likely that Margaret and other women helped in these situations, and were convicted as witches for performing abortions. It’s also through stories like this that Mairi makes links to today’s world. As I’m sure we’re all aware of the situations around the world when it comes to persecution and prosecution of people trying to obtain an abortion and those aiding them.
Through her stories Mairi allows the reader to feel a great deal of empathy for these women. She highlights just how absurd some of the claims and charges were. It’s hard not to see it purely as a time of persecution against women. Furthermore, she achieves her goal of making you consider how much has changed; you can’t help but make comparisons with society today. Not only does she seek to acknowledge and present the issues faced by women today, but she widens the net to include, People of Colour and the LGBTQ+ community.
I only have one, small, personal complaint about the book. As it is about Scottish women there was some use of Gaelic. Although, this wasn’t the problem. If anything it felt apt. to use the Scottish language to create atmosphere and add to the authenticity. For example this worked well in one story where an English translation was also provided. However, an earlier story used (what I believe was) an old English or accented Scottish speech throughout. This broke the immersion for me and I didn’t enjoy it as much; I felt like I was having to decipher what was being said rather than flowing with the narrative.
Not a criticism as such, but I feel like the author missed an opportunity to bring the book right up to date with the consideration of Witchcraft today. Feminists across the world have reclaimed the word ‘Witch’, especially when it comes to activism and protesting, not just for women’s rights but human rights. As this is the overall tone of the book, not including a modern look at the word ‘Witch’ was definitely a missed opportunity.
Final Thoughts
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Scottish history and Witchcraft history. It’s also a nice introduction, to the witch-hunts, for Witches learning their history. By focusing on the women and people affected, it feels a lot more personal than the dry historical texts you may otherwise come across.
If you are a Witch who has ‘done the reading’ when it comes to Witchcraft history then some of these women and stories will be familiar to you. However, due to the Mairi’s writing and the care she takes when telling these stories you will devour them again. (Just disregard the author’s belief that Witches don’t exist.)
Overall I found 'We Are All Witches' interesting and enjoyable. The stories are short, yet powerful, and you can dip in and out of the book with ease. It’s an honest and empathetic look at Scotland’s history during a dark time for women.
*This book was gifted by the publisher, Black and White in exchange for a review.
Publisher: Black and White Books
Release Date: 6th October, 2022
About the Author
Mairi Kidd is a writer, publisher and translator. She is the Head of Literature at Creative Scotland; Scotland’s national art development body. Previously, Mairi has worked as a writer in English and Gaelic for the BBC as well as other TV, stage and radio clients.
Some of her other books include:
- Warriors and Witches and Damn Rebel Bitches – Scottish Women to Live Your Life By,
- Feisty and Fiery and Fierce – Badass Women to Live Your Life By.
She lives by the sea with her husband and black cat.
About the Book
'We Are All Witches' comes as the Scottish Parliament look set to pardon nearly four thousand of those who were convicted, and in most cases executed, for witchcraft. It explores women from history, mythology and folklore; from Isobel Gowdie to Geillis Duncan. The stories encourage the reader to humanise the very real people behind the persecutions, whilst offering reflections on modern life. From gender politics, the prosecution of violence to reproductive rights. The book aims to show the strong parallels the stories have with modern-day misogyny, and invites readers to examine their beliefs.
Blurb:
“From 1563 to 1736 Scotland put thousands of women to death for witchcraft. Their supposed crimes have much to tell us about attitudes to women in the past, and in the present day. This book introduces sixteen women who lost their lives or lived in the long shadow of the persecutions.
‘Witches’ who, like MARGARET AITKEN, confessed, implicated others, even aided the hunters before they were burned.
Nonconforming women like MART MACLEOD, who saw their reputations tarnished when they did not bend to society’s expectations.
Creatures of the imagination, like Robert Burns’s NANNY, who embody deep-seated associations between womanhood and the occult.
Weaving fiction with the facts where these are known, 'We Are All Witches' invites the reader to explore the forces at work in one of the darkest episodes of Scotland’s history and consider their echoes in the present day.”
My Thoughts
I think it’s important to state, at the beginning of this review, that I consider myself a Witch. If you are a regular here, chances are you consider yourself a Witch too. So it’s important to make the distinction between the Witchcraft that many practice today, and the ‘witches’ of the past. That is to say that the ‘witches’ who were persecuted and/or executed during the witch-trials were likely not witches at all. They were just men and women.
'We Are All Witches' focuses on Scottish ‘witches’ and women. It combines history and lore; using fiction to present real women and their stories, along with fictional witches from Scottish folklore.
Opening with a useful history of Scotland and the Witchcraft act, the author provides useful context for the stories to come. Similarly, an explanation of ‘magic’ is given in a very balanced way that takes into account the social context. In one instance magic was seen in divination, fortune telling, charms, religious rituals and herbal medicine; all the things that Witches today would consider part of their magical practices. However, it was more likely that accusations of magic were a way to persecute people for being different or outsiders, and in acts of revenge or for personal gain.
It’s quite obvious from the beginning that this is feminist book; it’s a social issues book using the lens of the witch-hunts to examine modern prejudices. Exploring the witch-hunts as the persecution of women, (although it does acknowledge that men were also accused, and/or executed) due to the belief that women were inferior helps to highlight that this idea still exists today. Furthermore, it brings focus to prejudice and discrimination, not just as a feminist cause, but against any marginalised person.
Even though I would not consider this a history book, it does give you the context you need. Balancing a commentary of ‘what we know’; the evidence and knowledge of the witch-trials, with fictional details of ‘how it might have been’. It puts the real history into perspective. One example of this is the story of Margaret Bane. In the fictionalised, ‘how it might have been’ Margaret is described as aiding women with abortions. Even though this was not included in historical records, it is very likely that Margaret and other women helped in these situations, and were convicted as witches for performing abortions. It’s also through stories like this that Mairi makes links to today’s world. As I’m sure we’re all aware of the situations around the world when it comes to persecution and prosecution of people trying to obtain an abortion and those aiding them.
Through her stories Mairi allows the reader to feel a great deal of empathy for these women. She highlights just how absurd some of the claims and charges were. It’s hard not to see it purely as a time of persecution against women. Furthermore, she achieves her goal of making you consider how much has changed; you can’t help but make comparisons with society today. Not only does she seek to acknowledge and present the issues faced by women today, but she widens the net to include, People of Colour and the LGBTQ+ community.
I only have one, small, personal complaint about the book. As it is about Scottish women there was some use of Gaelic. Although, this wasn’t the problem. If anything it felt apt. to use the Scottish language to create atmosphere and add to the authenticity. For example this worked well in one story where an English translation was also provided. However, an earlier story used (what I believe was) an old English or accented Scottish speech throughout. This broke the immersion for me and I didn’t enjoy it as much; I felt like I was having to decipher what was being said rather than flowing with the narrative.
Not a criticism as such, but I feel like the author missed an opportunity to bring the book right up to date with the consideration of Witchcraft today. Feminists across the world have reclaimed the word ‘Witch’, especially when it comes to activism and protesting, not just for women’s rights but human rights. As this is the overall tone of the book, not including a modern look at the word ‘Witch’ was definitely a missed opportunity.
Final Thoughts
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Scottish history and Witchcraft history. It’s also a nice introduction, to the witch-hunts, for Witches learning their history. By focusing on the women and people affected, it feels a lot more personal than the dry historical texts you may otherwise come across.
If you are a Witch who has ‘done the reading’ when it comes to Witchcraft history then some of these women and stories will be familiar to you. However, due to the Mairi’s writing and the care she takes when telling these stories you will devour them again. (Just disregard the author’s belief that Witches don’t exist.)
Overall I found 'We Are All Witches' interesting and enjoyable. The stories are short, yet powerful, and you can dip in and out of the book with ease. It’s an honest and empathetic look at Scotland’s history during a dark time for women.
*This book was gifted by the publisher, Black and White in exchange for a review.
February 5, 2023
An absolutely beautifully presented, written and collated book of non-fiction and fictionalised stories about Scotland’s witches.
In what feels like a lost part of Scotland’s history, Kidd brings to light the reality of what life was like for ‘bad’ women including the injustices they suffered at the hands of those who wanted to maintain power and rule by fear.
The illustrations are beautiful and perfectly compliment the text, making this a wonderful book to treasure and re-read again and again.
Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in witchcraft, Scottish history and women’s history.
In what feels like a lost part of Scotland’s history, Kidd brings to light the reality of what life was like for ‘bad’ women including the injustices they suffered at the hands of those who wanted to maintain power and rule by fear.
The illustrations are beautiful and perfectly compliment the text, making this a wonderful book to treasure and re-read again and again.
Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in witchcraft, Scottish history and women’s history.
November 4, 2023
This book was sent to me as a proof - the concept really intrigued me, as someone with Scottish family. My sister studies history and is particularly interested in the history of witches and the witch-hunts. After all of her ‘fun facts’, I thought this would be the perfect excuse to expand my own knowledge of witches, no less than Scottish witches of course!
The book follows the history of 16 women in Scotland and their ties to witchcraft. We analyse the history and psychology of how these witch-hunts came about and parallels to modern day society. At the end of each story, comes questions to ask ourselves about the womens’ stories, to help us delve deeper into their narratives and how we can apply their tales to our lives.
This book was a super interesting one for me. The main thing I liked was the flesheing out of the womens’ stories. At the start of each story, we are given a little description of what to expect from this story, the history surrounding it and a little bit of context. It also highlighted if the story was a lost one, with very little to actually go off. I liked that these stories, with little history to go off, were fully written out as a story regardless, a proper fleshed out story for the legacy of each woman.
Something I both liked and struggled with was the use of Scottish dialect - much of the speech in the stories, is written in the form of how old Scottish dialect would’ve been spoken (I think). I loved this, as it really connected me to the stories and I felt connected to my Scottish roots… however, I really had to concentrate! It was often quite hard to read and understand and I did find myself guessing a lot of the time about what was said!
I also liked the questions to ask yourself at the end of each story. It made you think abut each section and each story, connect it to modern day society, reflecting on what we can learn and take from each woman’s tale.
The structure was nice and easy. The sections were all nicely laid out with interesting introductions. With loads of different types of stories from loads of different types of women impacted by the witch-hunts in Scotland. Each story was different, preventing it from being repetitive and constantly interesting.
So, I will admit, that I did struggle to understand some of the stories. I don’t know if this was down to how it was written or my own little brain. The Scottish dialect made it difficult at points and I really had to focus. That being said, this is probably just a me problem!
I also wanted more of the gorgeous illustrations! Across the book we get some beautiful illustrations and on the front cover too - I want more! They really added to the atmosphere and the aesthetic of the book and made it stand out, in a unique, cool way.
Overall, I fully recommend as a nice gift for the strong, independent women in your life… I have already passed it on to my strong, independent sister studying history in Scotland! I’m sure she will find it very interesting with lots to fuel her essays. I loved this one - it made me feel connected to all my family in Scotland, with so many fun and terrifying facts.
The book follows the history of 16 women in Scotland and their ties to witchcraft. We analyse the history and psychology of how these witch-hunts came about and parallels to modern day society. At the end of each story, comes questions to ask ourselves about the womens’ stories, to help us delve deeper into their narratives and how we can apply their tales to our lives.
This book was a super interesting one for me. The main thing I liked was the flesheing out of the womens’ stories. At the start of each story, we are given a little description of what to expect from this story, the history surrounding it and a little bit of context. It also highlighted if the story was a lost one, with very little to actually go off. I liked that these stories, with little history to go off, were fully written out as a story regardless, a proper fleshed out story for the legacy of each woman.
Something I both liked and struggled with was the use of Scottish dialect - much of the speech in the stories, is written in the form of how old Scottish dialect would’ve been spoken (I think). I loved this, as it really connected me to the stories and I felt connected to my Scottish roots… however, I really had to concentrate! It was often quite hard to read and understand and I did find myself guessing a lot of the time about what was said!
I also liked the questions to ask yourself at the end of each story. It made you think abut each section and each story, connect it to modern day society, reflecting on what we can learn and take from each woman’s tale.
The structure was nice and easy. The sections were all nicely laid out with interesting introductions. With loads of different types of stories from loads of different types of women impacted by the witch-hunts in Scotland. Each story was different, preventing it from being repetitive and constantly interesting.
So, I will admit, that I did struggle to understand some of the stories. I don’t know if this was down to how it was written or my own little brain. The Scottish dialect made it difficult at points and I really had to focus. That being said, this is probably just a me problem!
I also wanted more of the gorgeous illustrations! Across the book we get some beautiful illustrations and on the front cover too - I want more! They really added to the atmosphere and the aesthetic of the book and made it stand out, in a unique, cool way.
Overall, I fully recommend as a nice gift for the strong, independent women in your life… I have already passed it on to my strong, independent sister studying history in Scotland! I’m sure she will find it very interesting with lots to fuel her essays. I loved this one - it made me feel connected to all my family in Scotland, with so many fun and terrifying facts.
March 16, 2024
A beautiful book and a fascinating immersive experience combined with the Heal and Harrow podcast and album by musicians Rachel newton and Lauren MacColl. The podcast goes deeper into the origins of the stories and the research involved. It’s lovely to hear readings of the stories read by women from the places where each woman/witch was from. And the music inspired by the story of each woman, drawing on traditional Scottish folk music, is gorgeous.
January 16, 2025
Another excellent narrative from Mairi Kidd, this time describing the awful treatment of those women who were caught up in the Scottish Witch Trials.
Blurb:
From 1563 to 1736 Scotland put thousands of women to death for witchcraft. Their supposed crimes have much to tell us about attitudes to women in the past, and in the present day. This book introduces sixteen women who lost their lives or lived in the long shadow of the persecutions.
"Witches" who, like Margaret Aitken, confessed, implicated others, even aided the hunters before they were burned.
Nonconforming women like Mary MacLeod, who saw their reputations tarnished when they did not bend to society's expectations.
Creatures of the imagination, like Robert Burns's Nanny, who embody deep-seated associations between womanhood and the occult.
Weaving fiction with the facts where these are known, We Are All Witches invites the reader to explore the forces at work in one of the darkest episodes of Scotland's history and consider their echoes in the present day.
Again, more vignettes of women and their lives, this time centred around the witch trials, one of Scotland's more shameful events, with questions at the end of each designed to make you think about their plight, and compare it with lives today - and to draw out the parallels. Absolutely fascinating to dip into, as each story can be taken on its own.
Blurb:
From 1563 to 1736 Scotland put thousands of women to death for witchcraft. Their supposed crimes have much to tell us about attitudes to women in the past, and in the present day. This book introduces sixteen women who lost their lives or lived in the long shadow of the persecutions.
"Witches" who, like Margaret Aitken, confessed, implicated others, even aided the hunters before they were burned.
Nonconforming women like Mary MacLeod, who saw their reputations tarnished when they did not bend to society's expectations.
Creatures of the imagination, like Robert Burns's Nanny, who embody deep-seated associations between womanhood and the occult.
Weaving fiction with the facts where these are known, We Are All Witches invites the reader to explore the forces at work in one of the darkest episodes of Scotland's history and consider their echoes in the present day.
Again, more vignettes of women and their lives, this time centred around the witch trials, one of Scotland's more shameful events, with questions at the end of each designed to make you think about their plight, and compare it with lives today - and to draw out the parallels. Absolutely fascinating to dip into, as each story can be taken on its own.
April 30, 2024
History is full of examples of people persecuting other people. In Scotland, women were accused of being witches in spurts, over a long period of time. They were tortured to get them to confess (which must be the ideal way to get people to confess to things they didn't do). Many were killed. Americans (including those of us whose ancestors came from places like Scotland) need not feel superior. Just Google "Salem witch trials" and you'll see that we loved witch-hunting, also. The author has done a lot of research and has filled in gaps from her own imagination. It is important for us not to bury the past, for human beings have a propensity for making the same mistakes over and over again.
November 23, 2025
Finished this aagggggesss ago but didn’t writer a review for some reason. A series of short stories following use proposed narratives for women charged with witch craft.
The book gives actual information as presented in a diary’s or formal documents of the time and then the writer provides a short stories of what could have happened.
Nice short read, I’d read one of the stories and then come back to it. I like the mix of historical information and story.
It has been a while since I finished 😂 so defo could be mistaken about my level of enjoyment
The book gives actual information as presented in a diary’s or formal documents of the time and then the writer provides a short stories of what could have happened.
Nice short read, I’d read one of the stories and then come back to it. I like the mix of historical information and story.
It has been a while since I finished 😂 so defo could be mistaken about my level of enjoyment
April 2, 2023
The illustrations in this book were lovely! In saying that, the writing style wasn't for me unfortunately which is a shame.
September 22, 2024
This book is beautifully illustrated and I loved the history on Scottish witches
November 27, 2024
As a non English native speaker this book was impossible to read.
October 5, 2025
Factual bits were interesting- the imagined portions were not for me and I found them odd.
November 28, 2023
Thank you Bonnier Books for my beautiful copy of this wondrous book in exchange for a review! As a keen witch-history nerd, this book seemed to call my name. This beautifully presented book is filled with prepossessing illustrations, mythical magical tales and facts. Making non-fiction more accessible and readable for more readers is no easy feat. Kidd does this excellently. Presented in a way that intrigues and empowers the voices of those lost under the label of 'witch', Kidd informs in a compelling way that puts this as one of my favourite on the subject. Use of Scottish dialect was a specific choice, that I can see as confusing at times, but with perseverance, there is much gold at the end of these chapters and in thus, the whole book.
April 16, 2023
25.03.2023
A really beautiful collection centred around Scottish witches and witch trials. I loved how the facts and folklore was presented first - which in a lot of cases, the evidence was very sparse - and then these gorgeous fictional re-imaginings managed to really humanise and bring to life these women by wondering what their lives and circumstances might have been like. Characters were created and we were shown 'what might've been', and I really enjoyed the picture that was painted of these women and their potential motivations and daily lives. The illustrations were gorgeous and I know I'll be re-visiting this book again in the future.
A really beautiful collection centred around Scottish witches and witch trials. I loved how the facts and folklore was presented first - which in a lot of cases, the evidence was very sparse - and then these gorgeous fictional re-imaginings managed to really humanise and bring to life these women by wondering what their lives and circumstances might have been like. Characters were created and we were shown 'what might've been', and I really enjoyed the picture that was painted of these women and their potential motivations and daily lives. The illustrations were gorgeous and I know I'll be re-visiting this book again in the future.
December 15, 2022
This is a book that is non fiction with short fiction stories throughout. It tells the stories of witches throughout time such as Geilies Duncan, Margaret Aitken and Mary Macloud with the facts but also gives a fiction account of how things could have went. I found this very interesting and fascinating way of having a book to have both versions in the same place at the same time.
If like me you love to learn about witches and witchcraft and the history of witches then this is a must for your collection. This one is also very beautiful set out and looks stunning on my shelves.
If like me you love to learn about witches and witchcraft and the history of witches then this is a must for your collection. This one is also very beautiful set out and looks stunning on my shelves.
January 29, 2023
I've enjoyed reading some historical fiction novels that have featured a little witchcraft which I liked so I was excited to receive a copy of this to review.
First of all, this is one of the most stunning covers I have ever seen. It is beautiful 😍
I love that this was a blend of fact and fiction. I wasn't a huge fan of all of the stories but others were really good. I think I preferred reading the factual element and learning some history but again some parts were just a bit hit or miss for me. Some parts were so interesting and others I couldn't concentrate on but that's probably a me problem 😂. I think it would be better to dip in and out of this rather than read it cover to cover so I might give some of the stories another go.
I loved the information about men who were also accused of witchcraft as it's not something you hear about as often.
It wasn't bad at all so don't get me wrong, overall it's super enjoyable. I was just expecting to LOVE it and give it 5 stars but it wasn't to be!
Definitely recommend it if you're a fan of witchcraft and a little bit of Scottish history 😉
First of all, this is one of the most stunning covers I have ever seen. It is beautiful 😍
I love that this was a blend of fact and fiction. I wasn't a huge fan of all of the stories but others were really good. I think I preferred reading the factual element and learning some history but again some parts were just a bit hit or miss for me. Some parts were so interesting and others I couldn't concentrate on but that's probably a me problem 😂. I think it would be better to dip in and out of this rather than read it cover to cover so I might give some of the stories another go.
I loved the information about men who were also accused of witchcraft as it's not something you hear about as often.
It wasn't bad at all so don't get me wrong, overall it's super enjoyable. I was just expecting to LOVE it and give it 5 stars but it wasn't to be!
Definitely recommend it if you're a fan of witchcraft and a little bit of Scottish history 😉
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