It makes me tremendously sad to review this book at the moment. Here we have yet another incredible work of literature that celebrates those women throughout history who toiled and fought for the respect they should be given only to be time and time again weighed down by the prejudices of men. And I’m reviewing it at a time in which more than half of my countrymen and women have once again turned our country over to the hands of a cruel, sexist, racist imbecile who only emboldens those with old antiquated ideas of women’s subservience to men. As we speak there’s some ignorant sociopath making jokes about ownership of women’s bodies based solely on the presence of the tiny penis in his trousers. Who am I kidding? There are millions of these ignorant trolls and they feel validated, vindicated, and invincible. Out of the shadows they slink to stand in the light as they once did and they laugh at those who fear for the future of their civil liberties and sense of safety.

Truly, the past week I’ve simply been numb and haven’t been able to get myself to do anything, but I’m rising above that. Because those lowlifes want me to sit down and shut up, and I’m not ok with that. I will not allow the bottom feeders of society who lack any shred of empathy or integrity to intimidate me into silence no matter how loud they squawk into the void.

So let’s talk about witchcraft then, shall we? Afterall, what must we make of women who are strong, courageous, intelligent, and capable? They must be witches, right? This book is a celebration of the perseverance of womanhood, the powerful bond of sisterhood, and the reasons to hope for a better tomorrow. Both Cornelia and Lijsbeth, the two heroines of this novel, are well drawn and beautiful examples for young girls. Lijsbeth, especially, endures the kind of indignities that no woman should ever have to bear, but she does so with a fortitude no 21st century incel could ever come close to mustering. In her muteness, she suffers in silence but she does not suffer alone. Most importantly, she does not allow herself to be broken. Hers and Cornelia’s stories are beautiful, and they show us how we are so much stronger when united. There’s beauty in despair, and the battles worth fighting are never easy.

So how do we do fight against this new era of the emboldened misogynist? First of all, don’t stop reading. Pick up a book by a person of color. Pick up a book by a nasty woman who takes no shit. Start with this one. Don’t stop asking questions. A quiet and understated refusal to bend is so much more powerful than a loud and aggressive order to break. More than anything, keep teaching your children the true difference between right and wrong. Keep teaching them that respect is important, that it is earned and not demanded, and kindness always wins. One day, maybe, it will be true.

And, certainly, don’t be afraid to channel your inner witch.

Published April 2, 2024 by Graydon House. ISBN 9781525812019. Paperback. 320 pages.