On vacation, I strolled confidently into a bookstore, telling my younger sister that buying a book was out of the question. My backpack was already packed to the brim, and I had zero space for anything else to fit in there. But bewitchery had already taken ahold of me, and I walked out of the store with two books, one of them being Brom’s Slewfoot, which seemed to call out to me from among the shelves.
As we meandered through the aisles, my younger sister picked up a book and, upon flipping it open, revealed a collection of gorgeous, haunting, and captivating illustrations right in the middle. The artwork was so enchanting that I couldn’t resist grabbing my own copy. By the time we got home, I had read every page of Slewfoot, thoroughly immersed in its bewitching narrative.
What Is Slewfoot About?
Slewfoot is a tale steeped in bewitchery, blending every element a fan of spooky seasons will adore: the eerie Salem witch trials, the relentless struggle against oppressive religious dogma, and the intricacies of mythologies and ideologies. Unlike traditional horror, which often relies on gore and ghosts, this story unveils a more subtle form of the occult. It recounts a timeless tale that sneaks up on you, making you question its unsettling believability.
The protagonist Abitha is a strong-willed woman who was sold into marriage in the New World. After her mother’s death and her father’s descent into alcoholism and debt, she was shipped off to the Puritans. Her father, a devout man, had a conflicting relationship with the witchcraft and pagan beliefs of her late mother.
Her mother’s world included spells and mystical beliefs, creating a complex tapestry of faith and superstition. Now Abitha finds herself struggling to adapt to a Puritan lifestyle, having traded a life of personal agency for one of control and submission. In spite of the constraints, she and her husband Edward gradually find comfort and stability in their relationship.
Edward’s brother, a man driven by greed and poor management, has always looked down on Edward. When he defaults on a crucial deal, he tells Edward that the land he has been buying – put up as collateral – will be lost. This revelation enrages Abitha, revealing her sharp intellect and resilience.
She manages to navigate the treacherous waters of Puritan society, where her attempts to assert herself often lead to trouble, such as when she speaks out during a men’s discussion. Yet her determination drives her to convince Edward to confront his brother and fight for their future. With only one payment left, the Puritan council supports Edward and not his brother, validating the deal and adding more fuel to a bitter conflict between the brothers.
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A Harrowing Tale In Puritan Times
Amid these struggles, Abitha faces additional challenges. The stress of her situation mounts when she loses their only goat, and she begins to experience unsettling visions and sensations. Convinced that the bewitchery of her circumstances is affecting her, she initially attributes these experiences to fatigue and stress. Nevertheless, she remains firm in her belief that something sinister is afoot in the woods where the goat disappeared and in the end asks Edward to check it out.
As Abitha begins to find her place alongside Edward, tragedy strikes. Edward dies in a sudden and tragic accident when trying to blockade the area where the goat disappeared, leaving Abitha to confront Edward’s scheming brother, who seizes the opportunity to claim the land to settle his own debts.
Abitha drowning in grief and rage refuses to relinquish the land, despite facing widespread disdain for her decision. She perseveres, determined to keep both herself and the farm afloat. The stress of her fight against the encroaching bewitchery of her circumstances intensifies, and she starts to feel as though the very forces she battles are pushing back.
In the end, Abitha manages to maintain her home and land, but she is left to ponder the cost of her relentless struggle. The bewitchery that once seemed to enchant her now looms as a darker force, its toll evident in her life. As she reflects on her journey, Abitha wonders about the true price of her defiance and the bewitchery that has marked her path.
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Slewfoot: Review
The combination of the harrowing narrative and the stunning artwork makes Slewfoot a can-not-miss read for lovers of all things witchcraft and the occult. Abitha is a brilliantly complex character, and her trials and tribulations reflect those of many of the women of Salem, Massachusetts, and the persecution faced by many in 1692.
Brom has woven a layered tale of love, hysteria, and tradition that will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. While portions of this story lean more heavily into the fantastical than the real history of the period, the narrative toes the line beautifully, keeping Slewfoot grounded enough for one to feel as though this story is real.
Slewfoot is a true work of art on the page. While the story could easily feel too supernatural to be believable, this tale is one that toes the line between the facts of the time and the fantasy of this story. Any history lovers looking to find a fictional tale from Puritan America should absolutely add it to their TBR.
Even in a modern setting, this tale is one that many can find common ground with. Slewfoot is a story that will continue to resonate with the wrongfully persecuted for years to come. And the addition of magic is nothing to sniff at either.
The Review
Slewfoot
The combination of the harrowing narrative and the stunning artwork makes Slewfoot a can-not-miss read for lovers of all things witchcraft and the occult.
PROS
- Narrative
- Book's Artwork
CONS
- Underwhelming reading experience
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