There's a Witch in the Word Machine

There's a Witch in the Word Machine is a poetry collection that examines language, identity, and power through the lens of modern witchcraft. The poems connect historical witch hunts with contemporary experiences of marginalization and resistance. Fagan's verses move between Scotland's past and present, incorporating folklore, social commentary, and personal reflection. The collection gives voices to women who were silenced throughout history while drawing parallels to current societal tensions. The poems utilize experimental forms and typographical elements that mirror the fragmentation and reconstruction of identity. Language itself becomes both a tool of oppression and liberation as the poems progress through their various forms. The collection speaks to themes of feminine power, linguistic manipulation, and the ways systems of authority attempt to control both words and bodies. Through its fusion of the mystical and political, it suggests that poetry itself can be an act of reclamation and resistance.

Limited reader reviews exist for this poetry collection online. On Goodreads, the book has 30 ratings with an average of 3.8/5 stars. Readers noted Fagan's raw and direct writing style, with specific praise for poems addressing technology's impact on language and communication. Multiple reviews mentioned the strength of poems about childhood trauma and Scottish identity. Some readers found the experimental formatting and typography distracting, while others struggled with the abstract nature of certain poems. A few reviewers on Goodreads felt the collection was uneven in quality. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (30 ratings, 8 reviews) Amazon UK: 5/5 (2 ratings) Waterstones: No ratings available Notable review quote from Goodreads user Rachel: "The poems focusing on childhood memories and personal history were the strongest. Some of the more experimental pieces lost their impact through overly complex presentation." Due to limited online presence, a comprehensive analysis of reader reception is difficult to determine.

Salt Is for Curing by Sonya Vatomsky Poems weave together folklore, witchcraft, and cooking into meditations on trauma and transformation.

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado Short stories blend folklore and feminism through tales of women's bodies, desires, and supernatural transformations.

Witch Wife by Kiki Petrosino These poems examine identity, marriage, and womanhood through spells, incantations, and mythological references.

The Bone People by Keri Hulme A novel merges Maori mysticism with contemporary life through fragmented poetry and prose.

Whereas by Layli Long Soldier Poetry confronts colonial language and Native American identity through experimental forms and linguistic deconstruction.

🌙 Jenni Fagan wrote many poems in this collection while traveling through Scotland, drawing inspiration from ancient standing stones and rugged landscapes. ⚡ The book explores themes of magic and technology intersecting, suggesting that modern algorithms and ancient spells aren't as different as they might seem. 📚 Fagan wrote parts of this collection while serving as the Edinburgh University's Writer in Residence at the School of Geosciences. 🔮 The title refers to both literal witchcraft and the way language itself can cast spells, with Fagan viewing poetry as a form of modern magic. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Many poems in the collection incorporate elements of Scots language and folklore, connecting contemporary Scottish identity with its mystical past.