Hex

A woman seeks refuge in a Witchery Tour basement in Edinburgh during a snowstorm, where she spends the night in the spot where accused witch Geillis Duncan was held and tortured in 1591. The protagonist contemplates her own life circumstances while connecting with Duncan's story across centuries. The narrative moves between present-day Edinburgh and the historical account of Duncan, one of the women caught up in the North Berwick witch trials. Through both timelines, the text examines themes of female persecution, bodily autonomy, and survival. The story takes place over a single night but spans multiple periods of Scottish history, incorporating elements of folklore and documented witch trial records. The blending of fact and fiction creates a bridge between contemporary life and Scotland's witch-hunting past. This novel explores how cycles of violence against women persist across time, while also considering themes of resilience and resistance. Through its parallel narratives, it questions how much progress has truly been made in terms of female liberation and societal power structures.

Readers view Hex as a poetic exploration of witch trials that connects historical persecution to modern themes. The book's intensity and atmosphere earn frequent mentions in reviews. Readers appreciate: - The lyrical, experimental writing style - Integration of Scottish history and folklore - Raw emotional impact - Effective use of time shifts between past and present Common criticisms: - Narrative can be hard to follow - Some found the experimental format challenging - Pacing feels uneven in places - Length (some wanted more depth) Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (150+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (80+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Beautiful but sometimes confusing prose" - Goodreads reviewer "The format takes getting used to but pays off" - Amazon review "Powerful commentary on women's rights through history" - BookBrowse member

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🔮 "Hex" draws inspiration from the true story of Geillis Duncan, one of the first women accused during the North Berwick witch trials of 1590 – the largest witch hunt in Scottish history. 🏰 Author Jenni Fagan spent time living alone in Castlehill, Edinburgh, the exact location where many accused "witches" were imprisoned and executed, to better connect with the story she was writing. ⚔️ The novel takes place over a single night - December 31st, 1591 - the same date that many accused witches were executed on Edinburgh's Castlehill during the witch hunts. 📚 Fagan's novel challenges historical narratives by giving voice to Geillis Duncan, who in real life was only a teenager when she was accused, tortured, and executed for witchcraft. 🕯️ The book blends historical elements with magical realism, incorporating actual transcripts from witch trials while exploring themes of female power, persecution, and the cyclical nature of violence against women throughout history.