Chloe McDermott

Hex by Jenni Fagan is a historical fiction that re-tells the true story of Geillis Duncan. A girl accused of witchcraft in 1591 in North Berwick. Iris uses a séance to visit Geillis and provide a comfort to her in her cell as she awaits her death the next morning. The story is told as a conversation between them.

This is not a case I was previously familiar with and for this book to serve as my introduction to this tragic story of Geillis Duncan was perfect. The writer of course takes good care of the subject matter and handles this real historical figure with sensitivity. Beyond that she gives her a voice that feels authentic. Through Fagan’s writing Geillis feels so much more than her tragic end – which is something all stories dealing with a similar subject matter should aim for. She fills in the details of her life in full colour.

It feels like a refreshing perspective of her getting the opportunity to tell her side of the story to a sympathetic ear before she is to meet her end. Through Fagan her voice is king. She was murdered by the state for a crime that did not exist. In reality the crime was simply being a girl in the way of man’s goals. Ultimately this book achieves something for Geillis legacy. It serves as a sobering reminder of our past cruelties towards women in this country and many others. The way the powerful in society wield superstition and fear to puppeteer the masses. How those on the margins of society form scapegoats and are sacrificial lambs for their sins.

The writing is devastatingly beautiful and makes me want to seek out her other works in the future. Fagan writes poetry and this is evident across the entire book. The entire thing reminds me of epic folkloric poetry and encapsulates time and place incredibly well. Atmosphere and immersion are done to an incredibly high standard. You can feel the cold and damp of the cell; you are made to feel the discomfort as she talks about her torture etc. All of this moves you and adds more impact to its one hundred and one pages.

The feminist text is obvious from the jump, and one may expect with such a subject matter. Iris especially serves as our lens into this depraved cruelty. She is like us. She can cross time to and spiritual boundaries to talk to comfort Geillis when nobody in her own time dared to. She has taken the role of what the reader wishes to do in this situation. We as modern woman who hear stories of woman in history who were killed via accusation of witchcraft wish we could wrap our arms around them, believe them and listen. Really listen. We want to get to know them, really know them. They were real people with family, friends. They laughed, they danced, they worked etc. We would want to be the someone who could tell them that we know they were innocent. We know the power and value of being believed. Iris is the perfect conduit for this. We are Iris.

This book is an incredibly emotional and satisfying read. It is a book that feels like spiritual workout. It does the work to make you understand and hear a voice ignored and misunderstood. It is a beautiful text with a deep feeling of weight and maturity that can explore its themes with confidence.

Fagan is born storyteller that could convincingly sit among Scotland’s eldest storytellers and poets. I felt truly transported into a dream. Truly a remarkable talent and I am glad I have discovered her as I am eager to read more.