"Steeped in drama and atmosphere, you won’t be able to draw yourself away from this evocative audio edition of a brilliant novel about real-life Norwegian witch trials."
Our reviewer adored the print edition of Anya’s Bergman’s Witches of Vardo and gave it a Star Book rating. So, having the opportunity to listen to the audio edition, narrated by Sofia Engstrand, was a welcome pleasure.
Set in Norway in 1662, this feat of sumptuous, vivid storytelling is based on real-life witch trials that saw women horrifically persecuted, prosecuted and pitted against each other. In this hideous environment, after having a relationship with a merchant, a recently widowed woman is sent to the far north to be tried as a witch. Her daughter follows suit, accompanied by the daughter of a witch. At the same time, a former mistress of the King is being held captive, and she faces a choice – how much does she want to return to the King’s court, and at what cost?
But these women are a force to be reckoned with — they have intellect, strength and power. Such is the stage set for almighty conflicts, and an unforgettable story.
The narration is radiant with atmosphere, character (the accented dialogue is especially noteworthy), and conjures a vivid sense of place and sensory experiences — scenes of snow-driven Norway, the stench of foul breath, the crackle of fire, and the beating hearts of women who will stop at nothing to fight for justice. This audio rendering of Witches of Vardo really does bring an exceptional story to life with exquisite drama and due emotion.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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Norway, 1662. A dangerous time to be a woman, when even dancing can lead to accusations of witchcraft. When recently widowed Zigri embarks on a doomed affair with the local merchant, she is inevitably sent to the fortress at Vardø to be tried and condemned as a witch.
Zigri's daughter Ingeborg sets off into the wilderness to try to bring her mother back home. Accompanying her on this quest is Maren - herself the daughter of a witch - whose wild nature and unconquerable spirit gives Ingeborg the courage to venture into the unknown, and to risk all she has to save her family.
Also captive in the fortress is Anna Rhodius, once the King of Denmark's mistress, who has been sent in disgrace to the island of Vardø. What will she do - and who will she betray - to return to her privileged life at court?
These Witches of Vardø are stronger than even the King. In an age weighted against them, they refuse to be victims. They will have their justice. All they need do is show their power.
The Witches of Vardo features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Book Club Recommendations, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Family Drama, Occult fiction, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Narrative theme: Social issues, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Horror and Supernatural Fiction, Fiction: narrative themes, c 1500 onwards to present day, Time period qualifiers, Debuts, Audiobooks of the Month
The Witches of Vardo is available in Paperback, Hardback, Audiobook
The Witches of Vardo was written by Anya Bergman and published by Manilla Press an imprint of Bonnier Books Ltd
