Today, news media and people in trouble still use phrases like “witch hunt” to describe what they find an unfair assault on the character of a person. Writer Mona Chollet presents a highly researched look at witches as feminist icons. The three types of women that she looks closest at are those who were most often accused of witchcraft. These include the independent women, the childless woman, and elderly women. In Defense of Witches goes through the history of terrorism against women, censorship, and repression. This is definitely not an easy or happy read, so put that out of your mind at the start.
Chollet’s writing is impassioned and smart, exploring the myth and the factual of women living on their own terms. If you don’t finish In Defense of Witches mad about misogyny, that would be surprising. This book is long, filled with resources, and very clearly well researched. It is definitely more about women and the complications of fighting against a patriarchal system that can be damning.
In Defense of Witches will be published March 8. 2022. It is available for preorder now.
