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Books editor Claire Mabey talks with Margaret Meyer, whose historical novel about a brutal witch trial was the subject of a bidding war – a rare sort of publishing magic that can occasionally change an author’s life. Thank you to the author Margaret Meyer, publishers Scribner, and as always NetGalley, for an advance audio copy of THE WITCHING TIDE. And even at that stage, I was only going to write a novella of 25,000 words, but as I worked away, the word count went steadily up: I hit 25,000 words, and had only scratched the surface. One of the lecturers said well, publishers here like first novels to be between 60,000 or 80,000 words, so keep going, hit 60,000, then you’ve got a novel. The manuscript ultimately ended up at 90,000 words and by then I had been approached by an agent and the publishing process unfolded from there. I applaud Margaret Meyer for choosing to write a main protagonist whose disability serves as both a physical and metaphorical plot device. Martha’s mutism (caused by a childhood illness) takes away her physical ability to speak up for herself or for any other woman and leaves her vulnerable to both ignorant and willful misinterpretation to those who would only see what they wish to see. In tandem, her mutism also metaphorically symbolizes the ways in which all women were not listened to, how their pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears, how no matter what they said their words were turned against them, and how in the end they fell silent on the noose. This aspect of the novel was both the saddest and most touching part, because no matter what Martha did, she knew there was precious little she could do to help when she had no voice. And that only made her feel guiltier.
The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer - Books - Hachette The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer - Books - Hachette
The women are tortured to extract confessions: deprived of sleep, starved, dehydrated, and led on enforced continuous walks through the night leaving a trail of bloody footprints. Overall, this story captures the injustice and savagery of witch trials in a compelling prose and the creation of interesting characters. One autumn morning, Martha becomes a silent witness to a witch hunt, led by sinister new arrival Silas Makepeace. As a trusted member of the community, she is enlisted to search the bodies of the accused women for evidence. But whilst she wants to help her friends, she also harbours a dark secret that must never be revealed. I read widely around witch hunting in general, and on this particular witch hunt. The other book that was very influential is something called The Midwives Book , which was written by a lady called Jane Sharp in the 1670s so it was contemporaneous with Martha [who is a midwife in the novel]. Meyer composed a deeply moving novel that may be set against witch trials, but the themes of misogyny, internalized misogyny, male privilege, religious zealotry, bigotry, ableism, and more are all interwoven in an even, seamless pattern that starts off as simply ominous until all common sense, human compassion, or even a sense of human decency has been bled out of Martha’s village of Cleftwater. Then, and only then, when the village has hit its lowest low, can the tide begin to change. By this time, Cleftwater is left with a collective trauma.Well this started of interesting then went into a lull it was very descriptive & I felt for the women but let’s just say it was disappointing. We are repugnant to Nature, contumely to God; We are monstrous, legion; We are too many, We are never enough." With characters refreshingly of their time, rather than straw men parroting the mores of ours, this novel is an immersive tale of the East Anglian witch trials as seen through the eyes of an absorbing protagonist. It showcases the horrors inflicted by social hysteria, and offers a three-dimensional view of individual participants whose roles and motivations are differently shaped by religious faith, interpersonal connections, and intellectual acuity. This is an accomplished debut work by an author to watch.” — Booklist One thing that makes this novel stand out from the rest is the mute main character who is also a skilled midwife. She was definitely intriguing and I wish I’d gotten to know more of her past rather than glimpses of it. Additionally, she wasn’t the character I was most drawn to in the story. I loved the supporting character of Jennet, who was a bit rough around the edges and gobby and a little bit self serving. She was who I was interested in the most. A hammer of thoughts in her head; the doll in her fingers, which now she dropped, as if it had stung her. What was it really, this deformity she had woken? What had she woken in herself? She squashed her hands together, as in prayer. Forgive me, forgive my trespass, O Lord. Wax flaked from her fingers. The doll was for using, that was its truth, the essence of its nature. As much as she feared it, she needed it.
The Witching Tide | Goldsboro Books The Witching Tide | Goldsboro Books
Despite what the synopsis claims, there are no hints of Margaret Atwood here. Yes, the story is devastating, but how could it not be? This does not mean it does anything beyond the superficial. For a historical lesson, this could be a win, but as a novel, it will not be memorable for me. The Witching Tide is one of those rare novels that pulled me in and wouldn't let go. With diamond-cut prose, Meyer makes 17th century witch hunts feel vivid, new, and highly relevant to the current moment. The chaos, the twisted logic made me wonder if it was possible these historical events actually happened; the essential truths of human nature as seen in these characters made me worry they could happen again.” —Mary Beth Keane, author of The Half Moon The accused women deny their charges, but no one believes them. The witch trials are a sham. The scales of justice are already tipped, the women indicted on manufactured evidence and false charges by Makepeace, the searchers and vindictive neighbours looking for plausible explanations for illness, death and misfortune. As she had feared, Martha, too, is eventually arrested. Martha, a mute midwife, finds herself caught up in the rounding up of women from her town that are supposedly witches. If a woman didn’t want the advances made to her by a man, he could spread around lies and say she is a witch. If a baby died of complications from birth, they could say the midwife is a witch.I absolutely devoured The Witching Tide. Margaret Meyer evokes the uncanniness, the appalling cruelties of the witch trials in a way that is also thoroughly humane and shining. To read this book is to step inside time, to feel the bite of the sea air, to walk in the grime alongside Martha as she fights the tide of unspeakable cruelty and suspicion. It is a powerful, riveting read, each sentence pristine and haunting, and I can't wait to read what Margaret Meyer writes next." - Elizabeth Macneal CM: What was the publishing journey then for this book? Everything I’ve heard sounds like a writer’s dream. Powerless to protest, Martha is enlisted to search the accused women for “devil’s marks.” Now she is caught between suspicion and betrayal, having to choose between protecting herself or condemning the women of the village. In desperation, she revives a wax witching doll that belonged to her mother, in the hope that it will bring protection. But the doll’s true powers are unknowable, Martha harbors a terrible secret that could cost her own freedom, and the gallows are looming... Martha is a mute servant woman, who also acts as the village’s midwife. The rumors begin flying just as the witchfinder comes to Cleftwater. Soon, everything is being laid at various women’s feet - dead babies, bad winter weather, illnesses, sunken ships, dead animals. No one stops to think how such a small village could hold so many witches. Guards from other towns are brought in and the gaol runs out of space. And then, Martha is corralled into helping examine the women for marks of the devil. Meyer evokes the uncanniness, the appalling cruelties of the witch trials in a way that is also thoroughly humane. To read this book is to step inside time, to feel the bite of the sea air, to walk in the grime alongside Martha as she fights the tide of suspicion. It is a powerful, riveting read, each sentence pristine and haunting.” — Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll Factory
The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer | Goodreads The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer | Goodreads
This was a short but fascinating look at how women, even those in relatively safe positions in their communities, were brutally beaten down during the witch hunts. From a psychological perspective, it was really interesting to see characters holding extremely varied opinions on the hunt and trials, although I had a troubled relationship with the ending (and really everything about the stupid poppet). However, I felt very uninspired by the main character, and considering the entirety of the story revolves around hoping she does not get condemned for witchcraft… I feel that is a major point of contention. The Witching Tide takes place during the mid-17th century in a small seaside town in England at the height of the witch hunts. The town thinks itself insulated from the darkness sweeping England, until the witch hunter arrives and begins arresting women all thought innocent of evil. Martha, and elderly servant and midwife, finds herself caught in the middle of the examiners, attempting to both help her friends while also hiding her own secrets from the accusers. Claire Mabey: Margaret, I’m excited to talk to you. I was fascinated by your novel. Can you tell me how the idea for it first arrived to you?A fraught tale of prejudicial assumptions, ignorance, misogyny, and the horrors they can give rise to.” — Paste Magazine I read this book twice, as the first time through, I didn't keep up well with all the narrative turns. It's definitely a twisty, suspenseful tale, and the second time through, I was hooked. This time, I was more prepared for the wild plot, so I had no trouble following the many threads. ...Here
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