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Making Witches: Newfoundland Traditions of Spells and Counterspells Paperback – November 28, 2012
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length208 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherMcGill-Queen's University Press
- Publication dateNovember 28, 2012
- Dimensions6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100773541055
- ISBN-13978-0773541054
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Full of information, and unique information at that, in subject, research method, and contextualization." Newfoundland Quarterly
"Making Witches is beautifully written and accessible to a broad audience. It could easily be used in introductory folklore classes and those on the anthropology of religion, to illustrate how seemingly incomprehensible belief systems operate in contexts more ordinary and close to home" Sabina Magliocco, California State University, Northridge
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : McGill-Queen's University Press; Reprint edition (November 28, 2012)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 208 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0773541055
- ISBN-13 : 978-0773541054
- Item Weight : 11.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,282,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,167 in Folklore & Mythology Studies
- #3,391 in Witchcraft Religion & Spirituality
- #4,236 in Magic Studies (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2015I like the book well enough; but was disappointed that there was not more actual history involved in the book. There are narrative accounts and plenty discussions of how the notion of "witches" was perceived by locals and how people who were thought to be "witches" were skillful in their manipulation of that view by others. I was seeking more of a history associated with the mores and foulkways about witchcraft and fairies, etc. brought with settlers from their native countries that ultimately laid the foundation for what is discussed in the book. In other words, "making witches." The book missed on that front in my opinion. It is a nice quick read, and well-written and organized, but it lacked the substance in history and foundation that I had hoped for.
Top reviews from other countries
- YewtreeReviewed in Canada on April 24, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book
This is a fascinating study of witchcraft beliefs and accusations in Newfoundland from the late 19th century up until the early 1990s. The author shows that popular belief was either that witchy powers were innate, or that they were acquired, either through a pact with the Devil, or through the acquisition of a book known as the Black Art Book, or Black Heart Book — apparently Newfoundlanders tend to say “heart” as “art” and vice versa, so it was hard to know what the book was actually called. There seem to have been more counter spells happening than actual spells, as the belief in witches was more widespread than the practice of witchcraft.
The first part of the book explores the sociological reasons for the prevalence of witchcraft beliefs: a strong ethic of reciprocity and mutual aid, which, when breached, led to fears of being bewitched or ill-wished, especially by women who were considered a bit odd; and mostly tightly-knit communities, for whom strangers were immediately suspect, although there was still an ethic of helping strangers.
The second part of the book contains accounts of witching and three vignettes of self-identified witches. The second half of the book was my favourite part.
This is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of witchcraft in Canada.
- Jenny GReviewed in Canada on December 29, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
I have been looking for an academic source on the subject, and this is so well researched and written. Highly recommend!
- Bradley W SnowReviewed in Canada on October 27, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Witches ruled
I am becoming a student of Newfoundland Folklore.
I wish I had this knowledge when I lived there.
It explains a lot about how people can convince themselves of anything.
- Jaclyn LudwigReviewed in Canada on December 7, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative book
This book was a very interesting read, giving me a lot of insight into parts of Canadian traditions that I had never heard about before. For the most part, it is entertaining, but it can get a little monotonous at times with overlapping and very similar accounts of events/people. It seems very well researched and I highly recommend it to learn a little something unique in Canadian history/traditions.
- ShawnyReviewed in Canada on December 26, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Made someone's Christmas
My boyfriend was looking forward to this book