Subject
Witches -- Fiction Books
Best books
Marjorie Bowen
Black magic : $b A tale of the rise and fall of Antichrist
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William Harrison Ainsworth
The Lancashire Witches: A Romance of Pendle Forest
"The Lancashire Witches: A Romance of Pendle Forest" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a historical novel published in 1849. Based on the true story of the Pendle witches executed in 1612, the tale weaves together the dark history of witchcraft accusations with the turbulent backdrop of Henry VIII's English Reformation. When Abbot John Paslew refuses a mysterious man's demand to baptize his infant daughter, he unleashes a curse that echoes across generations, binding together religious upheaval, demonic bargains, and the tragic fate of families accused of witchcraft.
Fritz Leiber
Conjure wife
"Conjure Wife" by Fritz Leiber is a supernatural horror novel published in 1943. When sociology professor Norman Saylor discovers his wife Tansy practices witchcraft, he dismisses it as superstition and convinces her to destroy her protective charms. His luck immediately turns catastrophic. Norman must now confront an unsettling reality: witchcraft flourishes as an open secret among women, and by interfering, he has left them both defenseless against the spells of others. A classic of modern horror fiction that layers the mundane with the uncanny.
Fletcher Pratt
The Blue Star
"The Blue Star" by Fletcher Pratt is a fantasy novel first published in 1952. Set in a parallel world where witchcraft has evolved into a science while technology has stalled at an eighteenth-century level, the story follows Lalette Asterhax, a hereditary witch, and Rodvard Bergelin, a clerk recruited by revolutionaries. When Rodvard seduces Lalette to gain her magical talisman—a mind-reading jewel called a blue star—both become pawns in a larger conspiracy. Forced to flee, they embark on adventures that transform them from shallow conspirators into something greater.
John R. (John Roy) Musick
The Witch of Salem; or, Credulity Run Mad
"The Witch of Salem; or, Credulity Run Mad" by John R. Musick is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. This work is set in the late 17th century, during the tumultuous times around the Salem witch trials, and intertwines the fates of several characters, including Charles Stevens and Cora Waters, within the backdrop of superstition and religious fervor. The narrative promises to explore themes of hysteria, moral conflict, and the grip of superstition on society, making it a captivating read for those interested in historical fiction centered on significant socio-cultural phenomena. The opening of the book sets a foreboding tone as it introduces a horseman nearing the infamous village of Salem on a stormy autumn night, hinting at underlying tension. Through the dialogue of three hunters, the narrative highlights the pervasive belief in witchcraft and other supernatural forces, reflecting the fears of the time. We are introduced to Charles Stevens, a jovial young man who will soon encounter the strange happenings in Salem, as well as the mysterious stranger whom he finds and helps, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of character connections and the tragedies that will unfold. The atmosphere is charged with the tensions that would eventually lead to tragic events rooted in suspicion and fear of witchcraft, giving readers a glimpse into the complexities of human behavior driven by societal pressures and beliefs.
Henry Peterson
Dulcibel: A Tale of Old Salem
"Dulcibel: A Tale of Old Salem" by Henry Peterson is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. Set during the infamous Salem witch trials, it focuses on the life of Dulcibel Burton, an orphaned heiress navigating the dangerous social landscape of Salem village amidst accusations of witchcraft and local rivalries. The story seems to delve into themes of love, jealousy, and the fervor of the Puritan community, with Dulcibel caught in a web of emotional and societal conflict. The opening portion introduces readers to the historical backdrop of Salem village and its tumultuous atmosphere fueled by disputes and witchcraft hysteria. We meet Jethro Sands, who grapples with his feelings for Dulcibel, while she faces growing complications in her relationships, particularly with Jethro and his rival, Leah Herrick. As tensions rise, the text hints at the burgeoning witchcraft accusations that will soon envelop the village, showcasing the characters’ interpersonal dynamics against this rapidly unfolding historical drama. This initial glimpse establishes the tone and introduces key players in a narrative that interweaves romance with the treacherous nature of societal fears.
William Stearns Davis
The Saint of the Dragon's Dale: A Fantastical Tale
"The Saint of the Dragon's Dale: A Fantastical Tale" by William Stearns Davis is a novel written in the early 20th century. This story presents a rich tapestry of medieval intrigue, featuring the titular character, Jerome, a hermit known for his piety and rumored sainthood, as he embarks on a quest to rescue a noble maid named Agnes from the grasp of the nefarious Baron Ulrich. Set in a time of knights and magic, the novel weaves themes of temptation, moral struggle, and the interplay between good and evil. At the start of the tale, the reader is introduced to Jerome, who lives in seclusion at the Dragon's Dale, steeped in prayer and penitence. The narrative quickly unfolds as others bring him news of a little maid, Agnes, who has been captured by Baron Ulrich during a raid. Jerome's conviction to rescue her leads him through a series of supernatural encounters, foreshadowing the trials he will face, including the temptations that arise from his growing affection for Agnes. As he prepares to confront Ulrich, the stage is set for a classic battle between the saintly and the wicked, promising readers a blend of thrilling adventure and deep moral questions.
Howard Roger Garis
With Force and Arms: A Tale of Love and Salem Witchcraft
"With Force and Arms: A Tale of Love and Salem Witchcraft" by Howard Roger Garis is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The story delves into the themes of love and the tumultuous events surrounding the Salem witch trials, centering on the character of Captain Edward Amherst, a soldier who finds himself embroiled in both personal and societal conflicts. As a backdrop, the narrative explores the struggles against witchcraft accusations that plagued the community while intertwining themes of bravery and romance. The opening of the story introduces Captain Edward Amherst as he receives his commission from Governor Phips in Boston. Shortly after, Amherst finds himself in the midst of a conflict with another man in the governor's chambers, foreshadowing the complexities of both love and rivalry to come. As he embarks on a journey to Salem, he encounters the ominous signs of the witch hysteria plaguing the town, including a peculiar occurrence of red snow, which sets the tone for the ensuing drama. Upon arrival, he discovers the dire situation surrounding two women accused of witchcraft, including the beautiful Lucille de Guilfort, who stirs feelings within him, complicating his military duties amidst the growing tensions in the town. This sets up a narrative filled with action, romance, and historical intrigue.
Sax Rohmer
Brood of the Witch-Queen
"Brood of the Witch-Queen" by Sax Rohmer is a supernatural horror novel published in 1918. When Sir Michael Ferrara dies under mysterious circumstances, Robert Cairn suspects his adopted son Antony Ferrara of wielding dark Egyptian magic. A terrifying investigation unfolds involving human prey, ancient pyramids, and the legendary Book of Thoth. H.P. Lovecraft compared the novel to Bram Stoker's "Dracula," while critics praised Rohmer's occult lore and claustrophobic pyramid scenes as perhaps his finest work.
Franz von Seeburg
Die Hexenrichter von Würzburg: Historische Novelle
"Die Hexenrichter von Würzburg: Historische Novelle" by Franz von Seeburg is a historical novella written in the early 20th century. The story is set against the backdrop of the witch hunts in the early 17th century, focusing on the lives of marginalized individuals such as vagabonds and criminals, amidst the societal madness surrounding witchcraft accusations. The main character introduced is Zuckerwastl, a cunning trickster and thief, whose interactions with his associates hint at the exploitation, suffering, and desperation of those who operate on the fringes of society during turbulent times. At the start of the narrative, readers are immersed in a dark, foreboding forest landscape where a group of vagabonds gathers at a secluded house. The dialogue reveals their criminal intentions and their awareness of a societal climate rife with suspicion and fear of witchcraft. As they prepare to engage in their nefarious schemes, they express a distinct worldview shaped by their upbringing and social status. Interspersed with the characters' banter and reflections are ominous references to the witch hunts occurring in nearby towns, foreshadowing the tragic events that will unfold. The beginning effectively establishes the novella's tone, showcasing the complexities of its characters in a harshly judgmental society.
Esther Forbes
A mirror for witches : $b in which is reflected the life, machinations, and death of famous Doll Bilby, who, with a more than feminine perversity, preferred a demon to a mortal lover; here is also told how and why a righteous and most awfull judgement befell her, destroying both corporeal body and immortal soul
"A Mirror for Witches" by Esther Forbes is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the context of witch trials and the dark machinations surrounding a character named Doll Bilby, a girl with a mysterious origin linked to witchcraft. The narrative explores themes of good versus evil, the perception of witchcraft, and the consequences of desperate choices in a world filled with superstition and moral conflict. The opening of the novel introduces the reader to the infamous Doll Bilby, whose life is intertwined with that of devils and dark arts, starting from her tragic beginnings as the child of witch parents burned in a holocaust. As the narrative progresses, we learn about her adoption by the kind-hearted Captain Jared Bilby, her struggles with a troubled and jealous stepmother, and her unsettling powers that spark fear and suspicion among those around her. The tension builds as Doll navigates the complexities of her identity and the dark consequences of her actions, setting the stage for a story steeped in folklore and the supernatural, addressing her inner turmoil and the perceptions of a society gripped by fear of witchcraft.
Stella Benson
Living Alone
"Living Alone" by Stella Benson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of individuality and the eccentricities of social committees in wartime London, blending elements of magic and whimsicality. The opening introduces a peculiar assembly of women on a committee tasked with war savings, where a chaotic stranger emerges, shaking up their structured lives with her unconventional ideas. At the start of the story, we are introduced to a committee meeting that is disrupted by the entrance of a young woman referred to as the Stranger, who crawls under the table. As she introduces herself and her motivations, the members react with a mix of intrigue and judgment, reflecting the rigid nature of their committee work. The Stranger’s free-spirited nature and her whimsical complaint about the state of her life create a stark contrast to the serious tone of the meeting. Her claims about having "squandered" a large amount of money in a single day reveal an underlying critique of societal expectations during the war. This initial interaction sets the stage for a narrative that blends magic and reality as it delves into the lives of women struggling against societal norms and the search for genuine connections in a world that often values conformity over individuality.
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