Initiating readers in the fascinating and complex history of witchcraft, from the goddess mythologies of ancient cultures to the contemporary embrace of the craft by modern artists and activists, this expansive tome conjures up a breathtaking overview of an age-old tradition. Rooted in legend, folklore, and myth, the archetype of the witch has evolved from the tales of Odysseus and Circe, the Celtic seductress Cerridwen, and the myth of Hecate, fierce ruler of the moonlit night. In Witchcraft we survey her many incarnations since, as she shape-shifts through the centuries, alternately transforming into mother, nymph, and crone—seductress and destroyer.
Edited by Jessica Hundley, and co-edited by author, scholar, and practitioner Pam Grossman, this enthralling visual chronicle is the first of its kind, a deep dive into the complex symbologies behind witchcraft traditions, as explored through the history of art itself. The witch has played muse to great artists throughout time, from the dark seductions of Francisco José de Goya and Albrecht Dürer to the elegant paean to the magickal feminine as re-imagined by the Surrealist circle of Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington, and Leonor Fini. The witch has spellbound through folktales and dramatic literature as well, from the poison apples of The Brothers Grimm, to the Weird Sisters gathered at their black cauldron in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, to L. Frank Baum’s iconic Wicked Witch of the West, cackling over the fate of Dorothy.
Throughout this entrancing visual voyage, we’ll also bear witness to the witch as she endures persecution and evolves into empowerment, a contemporary symbol of bold defiance and potent nonconformity. Featuring enlightening essays by modern practitioners like Kristen J. Sollée and Judika Illes, as well interviews with authors and scholars such as Madeline Miller and Juliet Diaz, Witchcraft includes a vast range of cultural traditions that embrace magick as spiritual exploration and creative catharsis.
Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are going on a trip to avert certain disaster. Terry Pratchett's Discworld returns with another laugh-out-loud adventure dissecting everyone's favourite fairy tales.
It seemed an easy job... After all, how difficult could it be to make sure that a servant girl doesn't marry a prince?
But for the witches Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick, travelling to the distant city of Genua, things are never that simple...
Servant girls have to marry the prince. That's what life is all about. You can't fight a Happy Ending.
At least - up until now...
Readers love Witches Abroad:
'This book not only delivers silly fun and fast-paced action (including not one but TWO witches' duels), but also contemplations on some very deep matters' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'[Pratchett] balances humour and poignancy so masterfully that I can't help but marvel at it' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Nanny and Granny are at their height in this book as far as their back-and-forth dialogue. The two play so well off of each other' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I'll never view the fairy tales of my youth the same way again after reading this one. Definitely worth 5 stars' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'The twisted take on fairytales and how we're shaped by stories was brilliantly executed, and at times even pretty disturbing . . . The underlying social commentary is very Pratchett' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The supernatural figure of the sorcerer, someone with magic powers for both good and evil, features in storytelling and legends all over the world. As shown in this collection of wonderful stories, wicked Witches and revered Wizards have appeared in fairy tales, legends and myths for thousands of years and continue to inspire contemporary fantasy writers.
Witches, Wizards and Sorcerers: Myths and Legends is part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.
This lively, carefully chosen collection brings together ancient stories and famous myths, each by a different writer, from a range of cultures and eras. Some of the nineteen stories come from well known names such as Irish poet W. B. Yeats, Andrew Lang and Brothers Grimm as well as some intriguing new discoveries from Poland, Russia, India and much more.
The heart-stopping finale in Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling Witchlands series, full of epic adventure and spectacular magic.
Paths converge and prophecies unfold as Safi and Iseult - the legendary Cahr Awen - fight their way across the Witchlands to heal the final Origin Well. With ancient figures rising from the past, the Raider King's armies gathering for war, and the magic at the heart of everything dying too fast, the entire world is now on the brink of collapse.
But, when Safi and Iseult reach the Air Well with the Bloodwitch Aeduan at their side, they discover too late that Eridysi's Lament is not the prophecy they thought it was - and their journeys are only just beginning . . .
Praise for the Witchlands series:
'Susan Dennard has world-building after my own heart. It's so good it's intimidating' - Victoria Aveyard, author of Realm Breaker
'Truthwitch by Susan Dennard is like a cake stuffed full of your favourite fantasy treats . . . this book will delight you' - Robin Hobb, author of Assassin's Apprentice
'A world you'll want to inhabit for ever!' - Alexandra Bracken, author of Lore