As soon as a found out about How To Kill A Witch: A Guide For The Patriarchy, I was eager to read this book. Like many modern day women, I am fascinated and horrified by society’s historical treatment of those accused of witchcraft. Written by human rights lawyer Claire Mitchell, KC, and writer Zoe Venditozzi, How To Kill A Witch is powerful and important non-fiction.
The inspiration behind this compelling account is to correct the horrific injustice of the Witch Trials that ripped through Scotland. Taking place between the early 16th and mid 18th centuries, at least 4,000 individuals were accused throughout this time. Although not all, the majority of the accused were women.
How To Kill A Witch: A Guide For The Patriarchy is made up of an array of transcripts, in depth interviews, witness accounts, and fictional portraits of those accused. It is a fascinating, emotive and uncomfortable read rich in gripping detail.
For example, as a reader we are told about Janet Horne, the last person to be executed for witchcraft in Great Britain. Accused alongside her daughter, Janet was probably actually suffering from dementia, and her daughter was most likely disabled.
The account of the’ ‘the last mass execution for witchcraft in western Europe‘ is one that is close to my heart, as it occurred in my home town of Paisley. Like many people coming from Paisley, I was aware of the Paisley Witches, but apart from a vague awareness, I didn’t know much more. I am so pleased that the ‘Paisley Witches’ are represented in this powerful book with their own chapter, yet the tragedy and injustice of their story saddened and shocked me.
Although most accounts are mainly from Scotland as this was a country sadly obsessed by witch hunts, not all the historical accounts included in the book are from Scotland. For example, the famous Witch Trials of Salem are included. Also included is the story of the English Witch Picker, Matthew Hopkins. Thought to be responsible for hundreds of witchcraft hangings, his misogynistic power and abuse is horrific. This book asks a very important question: ‘could we see Matthew Hopkins as a 17th-century equivalent of the toxic male influencers of the 21st century?‘
The authors of How To Kill A Witch: A Guide For The Patriarchy, Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi, are also the founders of the Witches of Scotland campaign, determined to clear the names of all that were accused. Through their work, they managed to secure a formal state apology from the First Minister of Scotland for this historic and horrific injustice. Although the Witch Trials ended around 300 years ago, the apology in 2022 was the first ever formal recognition. Also as there has been a failure to formally create a memorial for those accused, the Witches of Scotland campaign specially commissioned a Witches of Scotland tartan to commemorate all the men and women accused.
But sadly there is a long way to go, and many people across the world are still being persecuted today as detailed in this book.
As I mention above, How To Kill A Witch: A Guide For The Patriarchy is a very important book; one that reminds us that we always need to learn from history to hopefully ensure potential future atrocities do not happen. It has been an absolute privilege to read and review this book.
Thank you to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to be part of the blog tour, and thank you to Monoray / Octopus Books for sending me an advance, gifted copy. Most importantly though, thank you to Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi for your campaign and tireless dedication.
To follow the blog tour, please see below.
