Becca Reviews: Weyward by Emilia Hart

Our 3 timelines are 2019, 1942, and 1619. I really enjoyed the following of the matrilineal line of Weyward women. I was a little confused for a while about who was who and how everyone was related, but then so were the characters and it was satisfying as it was all revealed. This is a story of women and resilience. The age old tale recounts the quieting and even the silencing of women by men who are simply scared of them. The history of witchcraft is convoluted, even a small amount of research will teach you that the most likely scenario is that the TRUE first 'witch' was a woman with an opinion - an opinion that a man didn't like and so accused them of something otherworldly.

I really enjoyed that this story was not at all about cliches; no cauldrons, black cats, or broomsticks etc. The lineage began with a healer woman and continued through the generational line via a connection to nature and the natural world.

There is a lot of distressing imagery, I cannot imagine reading this book if you have personally struggled with some of the confronting topics here. I will say that if you have read other witch-orientated novels, particularly more historic ones such as The Manning Tree Witches, Macbeth, Weird Sister, or The Crucible then you'll be familiar with the themes and recognise them as a typical, even historical conceit. That's not to say they become easier to read, of course, but these issues are part of the history of 'Witches' and the discourse surrounding it.

The primary topics, often discussed in reviews, are domestic violence and child loss (intentional and accidental). The two are inextricably linked, maybe more so throughout history than now, I hope anyway. Owing to the nature of witchcraft being so closely linked to medicine women, those who used natural remedies in an attempt to cure the ailed. Unfortunately, when dealing with sick people, particularly in the 1600s, your survival rates are unlikely to be high, and having been the last person to deal with the patient (and, God forbid, a woman) you were frequently left with the blame over their death.

Not only are these three women, judged, shunned, and diminished by others, but Kate (our 2019 protagonist) also struggles with shaming herself. After some traumatic events during her childhood, Kate has ignored and rejected her connection to animals and nature, but the things that are meant to be always find a way of coming back. The characters are convincing, three-dimensional, and beautifully written. The secondary characters, particularly the men, are less important in and of themselves but are more symbols of the patriarchy and the systems holding the women back. I liked this weighting of characters, it didn't give the monsters or their monstrous acts too much screen time.

I loved the interconnectedness of these women's stories, particualrly in the less expected ways. I always enjoy a witchy read and this felt as though it honoured the history of witches and witchcraft in a very beautiful way. I'll certainly keep an eye on Hart's future works.

Read: 19/11/2024

Published: 27/02/2024

ISBN: 9781250842725

Price: £7.57 (GBP)