Under the Witch Alice In the fictional world of witches and wizards, Under the Witch Alice is a well-known and highly regarded book. Written by an anonymous author, this book delves into the intriguing life of a teenage girl named Alice who discovers her magical abilities and embarks on a journey to become a powerful witch. The book follows Alice's adventures as she navigates through the challenges and trials of the magical world, battling dark forces and uncovering secrets about her own lineage. The story begins with Alice, a seemingly ordinary girl living in a small village. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon an old and mysterious book hidden in the attic of her family home. This book turns out to be a spellbook that belonged to her great-grandmother, a powerful witch, and it awakens Alice's latent magical powers.
Despite the work of Manhein, some still claim to have seen the ghost of Alice roaming the grounds of the small Zachary cemetery where she rests. After all, humans have loved stories of witches and ghouls for millennia.
For some locals, the mention of Alice the Witch elicits a shiver as they recall a ghostly tale passed down around the dinner table, bonfire or playground. The grave of Alice Penny Taylor, posthumously known as Alice the Witch, has captivated the interest of forensic pathologists, ghost hunters and locals alike.
This book turns out to be a spellbook that belonged to her great-grandmother, a powerful witch, and it awakens Alice's latent magical powers. As Alice delves deeper into the world of witchcraft, she discovers her own unique abilities and quickly becomes engrossed in learning and honing her skills. Alongside her newfound friends, a quirky and diverse group of witches and wizards, Alice faces numerous challenges and obstacles that test her determination and strength.
DE-WITCHED: How Alice Penny Taylor Got Her Story Back
For some locals, the mention of Alice the Witch elicits a shiver as they recall a ghostly tale passed down around the dinner table, bonfire or playground. For decades, stories have swirled, claiming the spirit of Alice Penny Taylor rises from the grave to haunt the city of Zachary. In other tales, her voice is heard ringing through the cemetery as she roams, calling to her loved ones from the afterlife. The grave of Alice Penny Taylor, posthumously known as “Alice the Witch,” has captivated the interest of forensic pathologists, ghost hunters and locals alike.
In the 1990s, renowned forensic pathologist Mary Manhein and her team at the LSU FACES Lab began studying Alice Penny Taylor. Their work transformed the story told about her from a spooky legend into a stark reminder that we are all human, and the stories we tell about others carry heavy weight. Questions remain unanswered, or up for speculation, surrounding her life. Was her husband related to President Zachary Taylor? The answer isn’t clear. Was she an old witch? No.
Despite the work of Manhein, some still claim to have seen the ghost of Alice roaming the grounds of the small Zachary cemetery where she rests. After all, humans have loved stories of witches and ghouls for millennia.
Who is Alice Penny Taylor?
Alice Penny Taylor was born in 1859, amid the Civil War and Yellow Fever epidemic. She stood about 5’2 and was 19 years old when she died. Her hair was chopped at the shoulders, likely just before or after her death — a sign she may have had a fever shortly before her death, according to Manhein. She is buried at a historical cemetery in Zachary.
During her life, Zachary’s primary economic driver was agriculture and dairying. She was the wife of Isaac Taylor, who may or may not have been the nephew of U.S. President Zachary Taylor. Isaac and Zachary Taylor’s familial ties are not a far stretch, but records have never confirmed the speculations. President Zachary Taylor was a planter and slaveholder with a large plantation in Baton Rouge when he became a politician. His daughter, Sarah Knox “Knoxie” Taylor, married Jefferson Davis in 1835. The couple lived in St. Francisville, where she died at 21 of malaria just three months into their marriage.
Alice’s husband, Isaac, owned about 300 acres on Ashland Plantation, deep in the bayou, in an area called Devil’s Swamp. Some ascribe the relation between Zachary and Isaac Taylor to proximity and circumstance. Others require more evidence. These facts have little bearing on the remainder of Alice Penny Taylor’s story, but they are worth noting. “I think the most poignant thing about Alice was that she may have died during childbirth,” said Manhein. “However, I am not certain that was ever confirmed.”
Why a Witch?
Alice Penny Taylor became locally posthumously famous in the 1950s and ‘60s. One morning, the cemetery keeper noticed that the large marble slab covering her tomb was removed, and whatever unknown force moved it, also placed her remains on the ground. In an attempt to “hold her spirit in,” or keep the anonymous force out, large iron bars were placed on top of the marble – to no avail. At least one other time, and according to some sources, two more times, the marble covering was removed from her grave, with her remains placed just outside. These occurrences led to the lore of “Alice the Witch” – the legend of an old witch who escaped her grave in the small, historical cemetery to haunt the city.
During the ‘50s, the population of Zachary doubled from 1,542 to 3,268 residents, while remaining a primarily rural farming town. Popular places to hang out included football games, cow pastures and, you guessed it, graveyards. Alice Penny Taylor’s grave was, at the time, the only one above-ground grave in the cemetery. Her raised crypt stood out, both physically and because it was unusual for the time. It is a reflection of European tradition and was not necessary like in other parts of water-logged Louisiana. Her ornate tomb both relished in the tradition of her family and spoke to the great loss felt at her passing.
The legend of Alice the Witchresurfaced again in the ‘90s, when, once again, her remains were removed from her grave by an unknown force. This time, Wayne Rogillo of the cemetery maintenance board, reached out to Manhein and the FACES Lab for help finding answers. “We were asked if we wanted to examine her before the cemetery board took considerable care to seal her vault,” recalls Manhein.
The paranormal tale of Alice the Witch dissolved as Manhein and her team at the FACES Lab focused on retelling Alice’s story with facts. Manhein devoted a chapter to the Alice Penny Taylor case in her book, “The Bone Lady: Life as a Forensic Anthropologist.” Thanks to Manhein’s dedication, Alice Penny Taylor has a new, better story, much less spooky than the legend.
There is incredible power in the stories we tell. Stories about fellow humans reach our souls in a way only art can, with the ability to vilify or humanize. For decades, Alice Penny Taylor was vilified as an old witch who arose from her grave to haunt the city of Zachary. Through history and science, her story has transformed into a reminder to seek the humanity in the people we choose to share stories about. It’s unclear why Alice’s grave was disturbed for the first time in the ‘50s. For Manhein, it’s a clear case of grave desecration, likely by a group of teenagers who used the cemetery as a nighttime hangout. “She was simply a young woman who died in the prime of her life and who receives undue and disrespectful attention caused by vandalism of her grave,” concluded Manhein. “Graves should never be vandalized.”
Another unknown force, speculated by some to be the owner of a guilty conscience, regularly leaves flowers at the grave of Alice Penny Taylor. There is still speculation surrounding certain details of Alice Penny Taylor’s life, and ghost hunters still visit her grave. Southern Sinister Paranormal published a YouTube video of a visit to her grave in 2021. One user commented: “I lived in the trailer park next to it down the road. Her grave is now in the front, I grew up with her stories. She’s real.” But for Manhein and many others, the case of Alice Penny Taylor is closed. “I do not believe Alice roams the grounds at night,” said Manhein. “Some people just love a good ghost story and will often exploit it.”
Today, the grave of Alice Penny Taylor is entombed in concrete, a sure way to keep anonymous forces out — or in. Visitors have adorned her large concrete grave with a wreath, crystals, rocks and coins, a sign of respect.
One of the book's main themes revolves around the concept of good versus evil. Alice finds herself caught in a centuries-old battle between the forces of light and darkness. As she trains and gains expertise, Alice learns to harness the powers of her magic to combat the dark forces that threaten her world. Under the Witch Alice also explores the importance of friendship and loyalty. Alice's new friends stand by her side through thick and thin, supporting her on her journey and providing invaluable advice and guidance. Their bond becomes an essential source of strength for Alice as she faces the perils of the magical realm. Another prominent theme in the book is self-discovery. Alice, initially unsure of her own abilities and identity, begins to understand her true potential and the importance of embracing her true self. Throughout her adventures, she transforms from a timid young girl into a formidable witch with a strong sense of purpose. The writing style of Under the Witch Alice is captivating and descriptive, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the magical world alongside the characters. The author's ability to create a vivid and enchanting setting contributes to the overall appeal of the book. In conclusion, Under the Witch Alice is a captivating and enchanting book that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the magical world of witchcraft. With its themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the eternal battle between good and evil, this book is sure to captivate readers of all ages. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or simply enjoy a well-written and engaging story, Under the Witch Alice is a book that should not be missed..
Reviews for "Into the Rabbit Hole: Understanding the Concept of Portal Realms in Under the Witch Alice"
1. Elizabeth - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Under the Witch Alice." The premise sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was painfully slow, and I found myself yawning through most of the book. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. The plot twists were predictable, and the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
2. Matthew - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish "Under the Witch Alice." The writing style was pretentious and overindulgent, filled with unnecessary fluff and descriptions that added nothing to the story. I found myself constantly rolling my eyes at the author's attempts to be profound. The plot itself was confusing and disjointed, with no clear direction. It was as if the author was trying to be mysterious for the sake of it, without providing any real substance. Save yourself the frustration and skip this book.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Under the Witch Alice" had so much potential, but it ultimately fell short. The world-building was interesting, but it wasn't fully explored. The story lacked depth and failed to deliver on the promised intrigue. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I struggled to connect with them. Although the concept was unique, it was poorly executed. The writing style was awkward and at times confusing, making it difficult to follow the storyline. I expected more from this book and was left feeling unsatisfied.
4. Justin - 3/5 stars - I had mixed feelings about "Under the Witch Alice." While the initial concept was intriguing, the story quickly lost its momentum. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The characters lacked development, making it hard to care about their fates. The writing style was decent, but it didn't make up for the weaknesses of the plot. Although I didn't hate the book, I wouldn't consider it a must-read either. There are definitely better options out there.