In the magical world, there exists a renowned institution known as the Magic School. This school is not your ordinary educational establishment; it is a place where aspiring wizards and witches from all corners of the realm come to hone their craft. The school is nestled amidst lush green mountains, with its grand architecture that dates back centuries. One fateful day, a group of mischievous and talented students known as the Bis Kicks found themselves in possession of a powerful artifact capable of summoning intense storms. This artifact, known as the Storm Crystal, had been left unattended in a locked vault within the Magic School's top-secret archives. Unaware of the potential consequences, the Bis Kicks decided to experiment with the Storm Crystal.
A series that combines traditional approaches of political, legal, and social historians with critical syntheses of cultural anthropology, historical psychology, and gender studies, Witchcraft and Magic in Europe provides a modern, scholarly survey of the supernatural beliefs of Europeans from ancient times to the present day. Each of the six volumes in the series contains the work of distinguished scholars chosen for their expertise in a particular era or region.
From religious reasons throughout history Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live Exodus 22 18 to contemporary events in which witches take part in the Black Lives Matter movement, put spells on Donald Trump, protest against white supremacists and against those who question a woman s right to abortion, Chollet explores not only how anti-women sentiment is still prevalent but also how some of the ideas that were in vogue hundreds of years ago still oppress women today and contribute to the perpetuation of patriarchy. At its core, this is a book that deconstructs modern ideas that come from a much more misogynistic time and shows how they are still incredibly common.
Unaware of the potential consequences, the Bis Kicks decided to experiment with the Storm Crystal. They were known for their pranks and had always managed to skirt the boundaries of the school's rules. Little did they know that their actions would trigger a chain reaction that would bring chaos to the school and put their own lives in danger.
'In Defense of Witches' is a celebration of women
At the start of Mona Chollet's In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial, readers are asked to think of the first witch that made an impression on them.
For me, this was an interesting exercise because while all the witches mentioned in those first few pages come from literature, in my case, it was my maternal grandmother.
Very old, divorced decades, known for brewing bizarre concoctions for whatever ailed you, and perennially surrounded by dogs, my maternal grandmother spoke to the dead when we drove past a cemetery, had an "off-limits" bathroom that housed spirits, and carried pounds of laminated prayer cards and milagritos — small metal religious charms — strapped to her bra. She also had about five teeth left after a life of fearing the dentist. To me, she was powerful, a real witch, and I loved her. I also ended up loving In Defense of Witches because it celebrates that power.
Today we often hear "witch hunt" in a variety of contexts, but none of them are remotely close to the original witch hunts, which were almost entirely focused on women — and regularly included torture, rape, and death, always at the hands of men. While we no longer burn women at the stake, some of the anti-woman sentiment at the core of witch hunts is, unfortunately, alive and healthy. As author Carmen Maria Machado says in the book's introduction, we no longer burn, hang, or drown as many women now as we did in the past, "but there is no shortage of ways women's lives continue to be destroyed. Women are abused, assaulted, economically disempowered, raped, shoved into the margins, pressured, silenced, ignored, treated as guinea pigs, co-opted, stolen from, misrepresented, forced into pregnancy or servitude, imprisoned, and, yes, sometimes murdered."
In Defense of Witches takes witches — unmarried, childless, strong, independent women in control of their future, their time, and their sexuality — and uses those elements to explore how women who possessed those attributes, or who simply failed to comply with what men wanted of them, were accused of witchcraft and persecuted. Then the book focuses on how modern women who are independent, childless, and elderly must still deal with some of the same pressures as the witches of old did.
At its core, this is a book that deconstructs modern ideas that come from a much more misogynistic time and shows how they are still incredibly common. From religious reasons throughout history — "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18) — to contemporary events in which witches "take part in the Black Lives Matter movement, put spells on Donald Trump, protest against white supremacists and against those who question a woman's right to abortion," Chollet explores not only how anti-women sentiment is still prevalent but also how some of the ideas that were in vogue hundreds of years ago still oppress women today — and contribute to the perpetuation of patriarchy.
Chollet has a knack for entertaining prose, and that makes this dense narrative easy to read. She looks at the work of researchers, psychiatrists, actors, writers, sociologists, journalists, some of her friends, and even her own experiences and enters into a conversation with them, and with herself and the reader, to make her points. In the process, she asks important questions with a historical perspective — "What if this Devil were in fact independence?" — makes scathing observations about what many call "social institutions" --"It seems that single people dream only of marriage, while the married dream of nothing but escape" — and makes strong declarations that, given the amount of evidence presented, are impossible to argue with:
"Self-sacrifice remains the only fate imaginable for women. More precisely, it is a self-sacrifice that operates by way of abandoning one's own creative potential rather than by its realization."
In In Defense of Witches, witches only make occasional appearances, but they are always there in spirit as Chollet explores what society expects of women. For example, witches were healers and knew things about nature that others ignored. They had the freedom to pursue knowledge because they weren't married and had no kids. In modern societies, we encourage girls to get educated — and then push on them the idea that they are supposed to have children to fulfill their roles as women and to have a full life. Once they have "achieved" motherhood, they should take care of the house and the babies, cook, clean, and make sure their children get an education, but that all happens — and there are plenty of writers talking about that in the book — at the expense of the time these women could spend working on their passions, pursuing more knowledge, or, as in some cases here, writing masterpieces.
"There is room for every view, it seems to me," states Chollet. "I only struggle to understand why the one I subscribe to is so poorly accepted and why an immovable consensus persists around the idea that, for everyone, to succeed in life implies having offspring." This line, simple and personal yet, to some, very problematic, sums up the spirit of In Defense of Witches.
In Defense of Witches celebrates women, offers a plethora of reasons to accept a variety of viewpoints, and shows how women are still expected to act certain ways or be ostracized. Despite all that, the element that overpowers all others is the celebration of feminist minds and their work, our modern witches. Yes, this book will make you angry at the staying power of misogyny, but it will also make you scream "Long live witches!" — and that makes it a must-read.
Gabino Iglesias is an author, book reviewer and professor living in Austin, Texas. Find him on Twitter at @Gabino_Iglesias.
Very old, divorced decades, known for brewing bizarre concoctions for whatever ailed you, and perennially surrounded by dogs, my maternal grandmother spoke to the dead when we drove past a cemetery, had an "off-limits" bathroom that housed spirits, and carried pounds of laminated prayer cards and milagritos — small metal religious charms — strapped to her bra. She also had about five teeth left after a life of fearing the dentist. To me, she was powerful, a real witch, and I loved her. I also ended up loving In Defense of Witches because it celebrates that power.
As the Bis Kicks channeled their magical energy into the Storm Crystal, a massive tempest brewed outside. Hail, the size of small boulders, pelted the courtyard and shattered windows. Thunder roared in the skies, and lightning streaked across the horizon. The wind howled through the halls, knocking over furniture and sending books flying through the air. The teachers and students who had taken shelter inside the school were in a state of panic. The once serene school grounds had been transformed into a warzone. The storm intensified with each passing moment, threatening to tear the school apart. It was clear that the Bis Kicks had unleashed a force beyond their control. Realizing the gravity of their actions, the Bis Kicks desperately searched for a way to stop the storm. They sought the guidance of the school's headmaster, who possessed arcane knowledge. The headmaster suggested a dangerous and perilous journey to the Eye of the Storm, a sacred location rumored to have the power to quell even the most chaotic tempests. With renewed determination, the Bis Kicks embarked on their quest. Braving the elements, they battled fierce winds, dodged lightning strikes, and climbed treacherous mountain slopes in their pursuit of the Eye of the Storm. Along the way, they encountered mythical creatures and overcame perilous obstacles, pushing their magical abilities to the limits. Finally, after days of relentless struggle, the Bis Kicks reached the Eye of the Storm. The air was calm, and a sense of tranquility enveloped the area. They knew they had arrived at their destination. Utilizing their collective magic, they channeled their energy into the Storm Crystal one last time, but this time, with the intention to subdue the raging storm. With a blinding flash of light, the storm dissipated, and the skies cleared. The Bis Kicks had succeeded in their mission, saving not only the Magic School but also proving their worth as true wizards and witches. Their actions had consequences, but they had the courage to face their mistakes head-on, learn from them, and grow as individuals. From that day forward, the Bis Kicks became known as the heroes who had brought peace back to the Magic School. They transformed their mischievous tendencies into a desire to protect and serve their magical community. Their tale became legendary, passed down from generation to generation, reminding future students of the importance of responsibility and restraint when harnessing the power of magic..
Reviews for "Storms and Sorcery: The Fascinating World of a Magic School"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic School Bis Kicks Up a Storm." The plot felt disjointed and the characters were one-dimensional. There was so much potential, but it fell flat for me. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and found myself skimming sections just to get through it. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I cannot express how much I disliked "Magic School Bis Kicks Up a Storm." The writing was mediocre at best, with lackluster descriptions and dialogue that felt forced. The story lacked depth and failed to captivate my interest. The pacing was off, with too much focus on irrelevant details and not enough on the actual plot. I was really hoping for a magical adventure, but what I got was a waste of time. Save yourself the disappointment and choose another book.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Magic School Bis Kicks Up a Storm" was a major letdown. The concept seemed interesting, but the execution was poor. The writing style felt bland and repetitive, and the characters were underdeveloped. The story lacked complexity and failed to keep me engaged. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. I would advise others to look elsewhere for a more engaging magical school read.