The black witch is a concept that has been prevalent in various cultures and folklore throughout history. Often depicted as a female witch who practices dark magic, the black witch is associated with evil, darkness, and malevolence. This character has been featured in numerous mythologies, literature, and popular culture, creating a lasting image of a frightening and powerful entity. In many ancient cultures, the black witch was believed to possess supernatural powers and was often feared by the community. The black witch was said to have the ability to cast spells, curses, and potions to harm others or gain personal benefits. These witches were often associated with the devil or other malevolent forces, making them a symbol of fear and evil.
What caused the controversy? Forest's young-adult novel, set in a fantasy world, addresses issues of discrimination in a fascist-trending, highly segregated society. A cast of varied ethnic and religious backgrounds populates the tome's 608 pages.
Kirkus Reviews , one of three trade reviewing giants that gave The Black Witch a starred review, addressed the controversy after a deluge of reader comments railed against its judgment. A lot of people really don t like being in the headspace of people who are repulsed by the concept of a elf-human relationship even if there s no such thing as elves Note because my ancestors killed them all.
These witches were often associated with the devil or other malevolent forces, making them a symbol of fear and evil. Various mythologies and folklores depict the black witch in different ways. In some stories, the black witch is portrayed as an old and haggard woman, with warts and a crooked nose.
Vermont Fantasy Novel 'The Black Witch' Sparks Internet Fury
Published April 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. | Updated May 9, 2017 at 8:41 a.m.
- Courtesy of Beltrami Studios
Goodreads is a website that democratizes literature. Anyone anywhere can review a book, no degree or byline necessary. Currently, Montpelier author Laurie Forest's debut novel, The Black Witch, has a rating of 1.9 out of five stars on the site, averaged from 1,036 ratings and more than 400 reviews. Many of the reviewers openly acknowledge they haven't read the book — they assigned it a low rating, they write, as a matter of principle.
What caused the controversy? Forest's young-adult novel, set in a fantasy world, addresses issues of discrimination in a fascist-trending, highly segregated society. A cast of varied ethnic and religious backgrounds populates the tome's 608 pages.
The plot follows a teenager named Elloren, heir to a weighty political legacy, as she embarks on her first year at a desegregated university. For the first time, she is forced to confront her own bigotry and her society's revisionist history, while becoming politically engaged in a rapidly evolving world.
After a May 2 launch at Phoenix Books Burlington, Forest's publisher, Harlequin Teen, will send her on a five-city tour. While the bookstore launches will likely be congenial affairs, The Black Witch has sparked heated debate in the online community. Most of the negative Goodreads reviews proclaim that the book is racist, ableist and homophobic. Many cite passages regarding the purity of one race or another, or quotes denigrating those of "mixed race."
- The Black Witch by Laurie Forest, Harlequin Teen, 608 pages. $19.99.
Kirkus Reviews, one of three trade reviewing giants that gave The Black Witch a starred review, addressed the controversy after a deluge of reader comments railed against its judgment. In a follow-up article titled "On Disagreement," editor Vicky Smith defended her publication's praise of Forest's novel. "The simple fact that a book contains repugnant ideas is not in itself, in my opinion, a reason to condemn it," she wrote. "How are we as a society to come to grips with our own repugnance if we do not confront it?"
Some Goodreads reviewers have come to the defense of The Black Witch, as well, saying that the racist rhetoric is a narrative tool used to illustrate the evolution of the characters. As for Forest herself, in an interview, she describes the novel as pro-diversity and suggests she aimed for her characters to work through their differences — to explore their own uniqueness and become closer in the process.
Forest has been committed to that vision since day one. The dentist started writing fiction eight years ago, when, in a flurry of ink, she penned the first two installments of The Black Witch series in response to two significant events. The first was the fight for same-sex marriage in Vermont. The second was her first reading of the Harry Potter series.
Forest and her husband, Walter, have four adopted children. Many of their friends with adopted children have been same-sex couples, Forest writes in an author's note included with the advance copy of the book. During the fight for civil unions in Vermont in 2000, and for same-sex marriage in 2007, she found herself surprised at the ferocity with which people opposed marriage equality.
"During one of the Statehouse hearings, a man got up and said, 'They should be happy we're just saying no to this — at least we're not doing what it says in the Bible, which is to kill them,'" Forest recalls.
Around the time same-sex marriage was legalized, in 2009, Forest's children handed her the first book of J.K. Rowling's series. "I never read a lot of fiction up until the time my kids gave me Harry Potter," she says. "I read science books, sociology, policy."
When she finally caved to her kids' persuasions, she found herself entranced by Rowling's fantastical world. "I was very surprised by them," Forest says of the series, which she read in quick succession. "I didn't expect them to be so complex — tackling different types of prejudice in the books, [like] the rise of Lord Voldemort [and] fascist power."
After that, she couldn't get enough of fantasy. She read all of fantasy novelist Tamora Pierce's books, Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass and Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series.
Forest produced the first two books of The Black Witch series within a year. What readers see on the page today is nothing like that first draft, she notes. She workshopped the book with a local chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Montpelier branch of the Burlington Writers Workshop, then extensively revised it with the help of her agent and editors.
The evolution of the series won't stop anytime soon, she adds. And the conversation on Goodreads will play a role in how Forest's writing and the books evolve, she acknowledges, although she's cagey about specifics.
"Generally," Forest says, "I think it's important not to take harmful tropes and inject them into fantasy. Fantasy is an opportunity to get past those things."
An example of a harmful trope, Forest offers, is casting people with dark skin as villainous characters. In Disney films, for instance, characters such as Jafar and Scar are portrayed as darker in skin tone and intent. Thus, malice is bound to melanin.
Forest avoids that specific trope in The Black Witch, where all the villains are white. While she was unable to share how specific elements of forthcoming books have been changed, Forest says the controversy "was a good conversation for me to learn from, to make sure I'm not lazy in my use of language."
One thing is certain — The Black Witch isn't going away . The sequel will be out in May 2018, and Forest's contract requires her to produce two accompanying ebooks exploring supporting characters. She calls them "novellas," but the first, out in June, comes in at close to 300 pages.
While this reporter didn't find the writing top-notch, and Elloren's bigotry is jarring, the first installment of The Black Witch marks a clear path to the author's intended destination: a fantastical world where people of any sexual orientation, presentation, religion or race have equal access to love and livelihood. Readers should be advised that the novel is indeed a story devoted to white awakening, as critics have charged. At the same time, it demonstrates effectively how even someone whose eyes have been opened to prejudice can continue to perform micro-aggressions on their chosen allies. For readers shy of committing to the $19.99 price tag, Forest suggests asking for a copy at your local library.
The original print version of this article was headlined "Vermont Fantasy Novel Sparks a Tale of Fascism and Internet Fury"
They are often shown wearing black robes and pointed hats, carrying a broomstick and a cauldron. This iconic imagery of the black witch has been popularized in many media representations of witches. In literature and popular culture, the black witch has been a recurring character in fairy tales, fantasy novels, and movies. From classics like "Macbeth" and "The Wizard of Oz" to contemporary works like "Harry Potter" and "The Chronicles of Narnia," the image of the black witch has fascinated and terrified audiences for centuries. However, it is essential to note that the depiction of the black witch has often been associated with harmful stereotypes and negative portrayals of women. In many cases, these portrayals perpetuate misogynistic beliefs and contribute to the demonization of women with power. The term "black witch" has been used as a derogatory label to demean and vilify women who are seen as different or independent. In recent times, there has been a call for more nuanced and diverse representation of witches in popular culture, challenging the traditional image of the black witch. This includes highlighting the positive aspects of witchcraft and depicting witches as complex and multifaceted characters. In conclusion, the concept of the black witch has a long and rich history in various cultures and folklore. While it has often been associated with fear and evil, it is important to approach this topic with caution and challenge harmful stereotypes. The portrayal of witches, including the black witch, should aim for diversity, complexity, and empowerment rather than perpetuating negative stereotypes..
Reviews for "The Black Witch's Wand: A Tool of Power and Magic"
- Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "The Black Witch" after hearing so much hype, but I ended up feeling really disappointed. The main character, Elloren, was incredibly unlikable and lacked any depth. The story was slow-paced and predictable, and the world-building felt underdeveloped. Additionally, I found the portrayal of racial and LGBTQ+ characters to be problematic and insensitive. Overall, I just couldn't get into this book and I wouldn't recommend it.
- David - 1/5 - Wow, where do I even begin with "The Black Witch"? This book was a complete mess. The writing was clunky and the dialogues were cringe-worthy. The protagonist, Elloren, was not only boring, but also incredibly ignorant and prejudiced. The author attempted to redeem her character towards the end, but it felt forced and unnatural. The plot lacked originality and the romance was lackluster. I wouldn't waste my time on this book if I were you.
- Emma - 3/5 - While "The Black Witch" had its flaws, I didn't hate it as much as some other readers did. The pacing was a bit slow and the characters could have been more developed, but I found the overall concept interesting. The author touched upon important themes such as prejudice and discrimination, even if they were sometimes handled clumsily. It wasn't the best book I've read, but it had its redeeming qualities.