The Great Witch of Brittany is a fascinating figure from Breton folklore and mythology. She is known by several names, including Morgan le Fay, Morgana, or simply the Witch of the Woods. The tales of her powers and her connection to the magical realm have been passed down through generations. According to the legends, the Great Witch of Brittany was a powerful sorceress who ruled over the enchanted forests of the region. She was said to have an uncanny ability to shape-shift into various animals, primarily a black cat, enabling her to move undetected through the woods. Many stories recount her encounters with humans who would stumble upon her domain.
“It died with Grand-mère,” Agnes said. “Those were great days, when the crystal lived, but those days are no more.”
Belz was also on the sea, or at least on an estuary leading to the sea, but she would miss the menhirs scattered around this field like ancient sentinels, watching unperturbed as years and people passed by. Ursule had been just three years old when she realized that the letters on shop signs or in advertising posters spoke words to her, as if the writers of those letters were whispering their meaning in her ear.
Many stories recount her encounters with humans who would stumble upon her domain. She was often portrayed as both a protector and a tormentor, offering assistance to those in need but also playing tricks and testing their character. Some tales even depict her as a seductress, using her enchanting beauty and magical prowess to manipulate those who crossed her path.
The great witch of brritany
27 January 2022
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Beautifully told story of origins
This was my first Louisa Morgan book and what I can say is that I really enjoyed it, and it certainly won’t be my last. In fact, in that respect I have a question about this author’s other books – do I need to read them in a certain order? I think all the books are standalone stories but just thought I’d check.
Anyway, this book tells the story of Ursule Orchiere, how she came to know magic, her ability to read the ancient Grimoire passed down by the Orchiere women and the tenacious way she holds together her family.
The story starts when Ursule is a young girl and we get a feel for the life she lives. Her mother tells fortunes and Ursule collects the coins. Ursule has been fed stories of the Orchiere women and their magic and longs to inherit magic of her own and be part of the story. These are difficult times for women. Witch hunters obsessively search for their next victim to feed the flames and women with knowledge of herb lore are persecuted.
I loved the way Ursule tells her story. The scene is set really well and I just found myself sinking into the tale with ease. There is a palpable sense of fear and a genuine feeling of helplessness amongst the travellers. Gangs of men literally swoop indiscriminately through the camps snatching up women to terrorise and torture. Ursule’s mother finds herself accused and from here things take a different turn but I won’t go further into the story.
What really appealed to me with this story is that it was so easy to get into. The sense of period is beautifully evoked. The hard lives that people led really comes across well and the strong family ties also simply ooze off the page. If you put the witching elements to one side this feels like an impressively rendered historic piece and the descriptions and writing just pulled me in. It just felt like an incredibly comforting read somehow – which, given the darker elements of the story, is an impressive achievement.
On top of this I really liked Ursule and her familiar Drom. I’m not sure that any of the other characters were as well drawn but given that Ursule is the central figure I didn’t have any issues with this. In fact, the other characters felt almost greyed out which felt somehow appropriate given the lonely way Ursule lives. She is a loner, not necessarily by choice, and in fact even though she eventually feels as though she’s surrounded herself with loved ones she still very much comes across as a lone figure.
In terms of criticisms I don’t have any. I can say that this is not a book that you can read quickly and to be honest I don’t think you should try to wolf this down in a couple of sittings. This is a book to be savoured and enjoyed. So, if you fancy a piece, very female centric, focusing on witchcraft and strong family ties, that actually has a kind of payback for the magic used, then give this a go. It really is a delicious morsel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It felt like the right book at the right time and it worked really well for me. A lovely story of inherited magic and one woman’s life and struggles.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
But what truly set the Great Witch of Brittany apart was her mastery of dark magic. She was believed to possess immense knowledge of spells, potions, and curses, capable of either bestowing blessings or exacting revenge. It was said that her powers were derived from ancient pagan rituals and that she drew energy from the sacred natural world. Interestingly, the Great Witch of Brittany was not always portrayed as an evil figure. Some stories depicted her as a wise and benevolent witch, a guardian of nature and a healer of the sick. She would be sought out by villagers seeking remedies or cures for ailments, and she would provide guidance and support to those in need. Regardless of the different interpretations of her character, the existence of the Great Witch of Brittany highlights the profound impact of folklore and mythology in shaping the cultural identity of a region. She remains an enduring symbol of the mystical and enchanting nature of Brittany, captivating imaginations and inspiring tales to this day..
Reviews for "Witch Trials and Justice: The Great Witch of Brittany's Story"
1. Karen - 1 star
I found "The Great Witch of Brittany" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The plot was slow and meandering, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The magic elements introduced in the story felt forced and poorly executed, hindering the overall flow of the narrative. Additionally, I found the writing to be lackluster and uninspiring, lacking the depth and creativity I was hoping for. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Ben - 2 stars
"The Great Witch of Brittany" had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver on several fronts. The pacing of the story was inconsistent, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed, underdeveloped moments. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to relate to, which made it hard for me to become fully invested in their story. Furthermore, I found the dialogue to be stilted and unnatural, making it even harder to immerse myself in the world created by the author. While it wasn't the worst book I've read, "The Great Witch of Brittany" fell far short of my expectations.
3. Jessica - 2.5 stars
I had high hopes for "The Great Witch of Brittany" based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, it left me underwhelmed. The plot had potential, but it felt disjointed and poorly executed. The character development was lacking, leaving me feeling detached from their struggles and unable to fully invest in their journey. Additionally, the writing style felt overly simplistic and lacked the depth and nuance I crave in a good book. While "The Great Witch of Brittany" had its moments, it ultimately fell short of delivering a truly memorable and captivating story.