The Witches of Cambridge (A Read with Jenna Pick‪)‬

Alice Hoffman’s brilliant creativity is unparalleled in the all things magical and mystical and witch related.
I loved the whole backstory regarding Lillian House and especially was extremely invested in Amelia Bell and the relationship between herself and Rose Bridewell who were both living in times of extreme danger and still helping others when simply being who they were could get them hung, drowned or burned at the stake.
I loved the overlap and mention of the Salem witch trials, the historical appropriation of McCarthyism, the paranoia and propaganda against movie studios stars and artists during that time. How the author uses the discrimination and the witch hunts then against those who are creative minded and shows the parallels between that and the actual witch hunts that were happening in Europe and America and describes the fear and angst and terror that comes with being terrified to be individually pointed out for merely being who you were born to be. The tragic reality for those being oppressed and discriminated against is that they have to hide their authenticity and go into hiding to protect their lives from being literally taken from them by authorities who have unilaterally decided that the death of them is what’s best for society. The unjust and cruel nature of these facts and these events in history were frighteningly dangerous and tragically traumatic for entire groups and socioeconomic classes such as the females attending Radcliffe who were forced to sit outside lectures so not to disturb the men’s concentration in their lectures. Their lack of birth control and the enforced Comstock law that made abortions illegal.
While this is mainly a story about the witchcraft and their intention and purpose of practicing their craft it also brings a concerted awareness to the discrimination and racist acts and behaviors that are being taught by propagandists or family and the brutal consequences that kind of close minded inhumane behavior and belief can cause. She mentions all kinds of groups and individuals that have historically been brutally treated from the systemic racism that exists even still today.
The relationship between the women was so lovely and endearing to me. I believe there is a sacred bond between females and that we have a way of subtly finding a way to navigate around the systemic racism and oppression and find a safe place and harbor for those in imperative danger and in need of sheltered protection. There’s a kinder, empathic nature to females in general when they are connecting or communing with others and tend to hold a lot of compassion and respect towards all living creatures and things with a much more cognizant and intentional nature when crossing paths than males ever have.
There’s a lot of relevant historical context throughout the book as well as wildly imaginative and creative ideas concerning the practice of witchcraft and the idea that is a genetic construct and component that elevates these individuals in such ways they can easily commune with the Earth and all living things and their philosophy regarding they only heal and spread positive energy and love and remain clear of the dark magic and wrong path in magic when using it for revenge or vengeance and to harm or take the life of another.
It’s a great execution and the ease in which the reader can fully immerse themselves into the creative imagination of the author and fully appreciate the mystical and magical world in which these people embody is an amazing experience and one you can’t help but get caught up and taken away in.
#AliceHoffman #TheWitchesofCambridge

Repetitive. It got rather boring.

The subject of witchcraft could have been interesting had the author resisted the urge drive off the cliff of monotony on numerous occasions. I gave up half way through after the repeated theme of betrayal became tiresome.