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The Bewitching

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The Bewitching

By: Jill Dawson
Narrated by: Daphne Kouma, Jilly Bond
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About this listen

A dazzling, shocking novel that speaks to our times, drawing on the 16th-century case of the witches of Warboys.

Alice Samuel might be old and sharp-tongued, but she's no fool. Visiting her new neighbours in her Fenland village, she suspects Squire Throckmorton's household is not as God-fearing as it seems and finds the children troubled. What she cannot foresee is that all five daughters will succumb in turn to a terrifying affliction and accuse her of witchcraft—who else to blame than an ugly, black-capped woman with mysterious healing skills?

The Throckmortons' maid Martha, uncomfortably aware of strange goings-on in the household herself, is reluctant to believe that Alice is a witch. Yet visiting scholars attracted by the news are convinced, evidence mounts and soon the entire village is swept up in the frenzied persecution of one of their own community.

Exploring a neglected episode in English history to powerful effect, The Bewitching chillingly conveys the brutal tribalism that can erupt in a closed society and how victims can be made to believe in their own wickedness.

©2022 Jill Dawson (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Biographical Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Witchcraft Scary Magic Users Village

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I was bewitched by the bewitching. Authentic & powerful it brought into the heart of a tragic witch trial in 16th century England which possessed shocking modern parallels.

Heart-rending story of a real witch trial

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This is is such an interesting story. One, though the ending is known still kept me hooked. The story itself has so many echos of today's issues, but one that came through was the power of rumour. How a community (set) of people can whip up and escalate these rumours and turn on innocent people without common sense. Twitter and social media are an excellent eample with some truely awful things said by people in a frenzied state.

I felt horror, anger and sympathy for Alice. I felt she beautifully portrayed by the author.

Her appearance on Not Just the Tudors from History Hit podcast. The Witches of Warboys: A Novel Retelling about this book is definitely worth a listen.

Narrated beautifully.

Brilliant and moving

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A bad sign when you ask yourself "How much longer does this go on?"
I gave myself a treat and deleted it, without phoning up to return it, them's the breaks, not my cup of tea but others may love it.

So depressing

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I got this book over a month ago, and I've been really struggling to finish it. Usually I read 1 book a week, but this one is just too boring, it's a chore to pick it up. I thought I would buy the audible version to help me finish it, which it is...but it doesn't make the book any better. For over 170 or so pages it's the same scenes over and over. I honestly might just return the audio book too now and donate the book to a charity shop. I really wouldn't waste your time with this book like I have.

Repetitive, empty, boring

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Really wanted to like this as it's a favourite genre of mine but I was bored beyond belief ! I listen to alot of audio books while I'm travelling for work but couldn't get away with this at all despite trying to get into it several times. Story and narration was slow , repetitive and frankly boring.
Would of preferred to return it rather than waste my credit.

Nothing!

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