Widdershins

By: Helen Steadman

Narrated by: Christine Mackie

The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy: Book 1

Jane Chandler is an apprentice healer. From childhood, she and her mother have used herbs to cure the sick. But Jane will soon learn that her sheltered life in a small village is not safe from the troubles of the wider world. From his father's beatings to his uncle's raging sermons, John Sharpe is beset by bad fortune.

Fighting through personal tragedy, he finds his purpose: to become a witchfinder and save innocents from the scourge of witchcraft. Widdershins tells the story of the women who were persecuted and the men who condemned them.

Based on the little-known 1650 Newcastle witch trials, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day in August 1650.

©2017 Bell Jar Books (P)2024 Bell Jar Books

Critic reviews

“Impeccably written, full of herbal lore and the clash of ignorance and prejudice against common sense, as well as the abounding beauty of nature, it made for a great read. There are plenty of books, both fact and fiction, available about the witch-trial era, but not only did I not know about such trials in Newcastle, I have not read a novel that so painstakingly and vividly evokes both the fear and joy of living at that time.” Sally Zigmond, Historical Novel Society

“Widdershins is a dark and wonderful novel, rich in historical details, herbal lore, traditions and superstitions. Steadman’s clear eyed storytelling and colourful period voice give life to a vibrant cast of characters drawn against the backdrop of tragic historical events. A compelling and memorable tale!” Louisa Morgan, A Secret History of Witches

“A compelling and nuanced account of the clash of cultures that claimed so many lives. Steadman’s carefully interwoven narrative conjures a world of herbal lore, folk practice and belief and convincingly portrays the psychological and ideological forces that form a perpetrator, and the social structures that sustain him.” Helen Lynch, The Elephand and the Polish Question

Recommend

I really enjoyed this book. Had me imagining being back at the time witches were burned and those who were healers were called witches. Let's you see how those accused of being a witch took care of those that the "Normals" turned their back on them because they were different. Listening to this book I can here where the world is still the same.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Baskerville Book Reviews

This is one of the most upsetting, depressing, difficult to get through books I’ve read in a while. I listened to this book over the course of a week or more while working and that was over a week ago. I usually listen to audiobooks in a single sitting and write my review after or the next morning. I really didn’t know what to say, I still don’t.

It was well told, I didn’t have any trouble following along. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything. While this is a fictionalized retelling, these events actually happened and the author didn’t hold back at all.

The narration is well done, well-spoken, clean, and clear.

Note: I received this audiobook for free as a complimentary listen to go along with my review copy of the second book. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.

Perfect witchy read for October!

Inspired by the real witch trials in England in the 1600’s, Widdershins is the perfect October read. The narrator is fantastic, although I did sometimes get confused on which POV I was listening to because it was one female narrator for multiple POV’s, a male and a female.

I was transported in place and time while listening- a mark of a great book!

Widdershins

Widdershins tells the story of the Newcastle witch trials in 1650, but we join the story when two of the characters whose fates will collide at this horrific event are children.



We see how John, the witchfinder, became so passionate about the work he does through the death of his mother, his wife and child as well as the influence of his abusive father and reverend uncle. We hear the stories of his progression into the career and the women accused along the way. Like with many other stories of this ilk, there is terrible aggression towards Eve's cursed daughters where women who have any knowledge or influence or cross the wrong man are deleted from society in the most horrific way. John is probably the most unlikable character I’ve ever read. I know history is full of these men but oof I just wanted to punch him more and more with every word and action.


Jane is a midwife's daughter whose life seems unfairly cursed from the start. Circumstance after circumstance leads her to her ultimate fate. It nearly seemed inescapable that she would end up where she did. As a woman with a brain and an opinion and a desire to make choices that followed her heart and not a sense of duty she set herself apart in a dangerous way. I was so empathetic towards her and found myself really wishing there was a way out for her. My favorite part of her story was the discussions of the herbs and treatments used at that time point. Oh and the END!



It’s definitely a slow moving story with the trials occurring quite near the end but the details of the time help build the tension to a crescendo. Lots of scenes are quite graphic and the description of the women’s “crimes” will make your blood boil but it is accurate to the trials of the times. Check this one out if you liked Phillippa Gregory’s Tidelands. After finishing this, I went right out and purchased the sequel.

Thanks to Love Book Tours for a gifted audio copy. All opinions above are my own.

WOW! I was not ready for this! Stunning!

Hypnotic, emotional and engrossing, Widdershins is the story of a time gone by, when women, and even men, without the slightest real proof were tried, convicted and executed for practicing the dark art of witchcraft. Based in fact, this beautifully written, albeit extremely unsettling story, held me enthralled. I was horrified at what passed for justice in 1649 England! The characters are very well defined, some extremely likable, and others extremely not. I’ll leave the “who’s who” a mystery, so as not to play spoiler! The scene setting is exquisite, beautifully conveying everything I needed to know to understand both the culture and the customs prevalent in the era of the story! The smooth lyrical narration beautifully drew me in, mesmerized me, and allowed me to become completely immersed in the story. The graphic details of the trials that these women and sometimes men endured, while not sensationalized, are also not glossed over, as history’s not always pretty, it just is what it is. Woven into the history are the stories of John, the witch finder, and Jane, one of the accused. Again, no spoilers other than be prepared to feel every emotion under the sun, and to feel them deeply. I know I did. I am feeling them still. Five fabulous stars!

Poignant Historical Fiction

This was my first experience with Helen Steadman's work, and it was fascinating. The author's research into the Newcastle witch trials of 1650 was very evident, and the descriptions that resulted from that research were often hard to experience. The author managed to describe the times and living conditions so well that it was almost like being there. I liked that the characters were realistic. I enjoyed the herbal lore that was also a part of this work. Christine Mackie's narration was great, and her performance reflected the feelings engendered by the story. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

loved it

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! After listening to this story,. I totally enjoyed reading this book. It’s well written and the characters were uniquely fantastic. I would suggest this book to my friends that like this sort of genera. this was a good book. The narration was great.

historical fiction

This book is historical fiction. It is about witches and religion. It gives you insight into what has shaped the two main characters Jane and John. The book starts when they are children. John's abusive father and his uncle who was a reverend had such a negative influence on his life. John and Jane cross paths. Anyone who was different at this time could be accused of being a witch. It also covers the Newcastle witch trials. While historical fiction is not the type of book I normally read this one is exceptional.

Great listen!

I really enjoyed this book. It is based on witch trials in Newcastle (similar to ones that occurred in Salem). The characters were well-written and the story was well-paced. I also thought the narrator did an excellent job!
I am looking forward to book 2 and 3 of the series.

Widdershins

This book seems like it could have been written during the witch trial days.We meet John who loses his mother at birth and his father gives him to the midwife.His father fetches him when he is old enough to work and beat up.When his father dies, it is encouraged that he live with his uncle and get away from the crone,though she was kind to him. His uncle brings him up as a true man,hater of the unexplained.The atmosphere is so heavy against women and girls,John finds his first witch as a young boy and goes from there.Christine Mackie was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.