The Highland Witch: A Novel

I knew very little about this book or the author before I started it. I was looking for a book set in Scotland, (for a reading challenge) and I am interested in stories about women who were accused of witchcraft. For the first 50 pages or so, I thought I might not finish the book, but the further I got, the more I was drawn into the story. Fletcher’s descriptions were so very vivid that the dramatic landscape and the people came alive. There was such reverence for nature in Corag’s voice that I became more aware of the beauty around me as I read. The book was also a powerful reminder of the influence we can have on one another, even in relatively brief encounters. Finally, I listened to most of this book on audio, and I found both narrators excellent.

I loved this book. Why did I wait so long to read it? 1692, Corrag an accused witchcraft is waiting her fate in a Scotland prison. She tells her story to Charles Leslie an Irish propagandist. She is the only person who knows in great detail what happened that frightful day. She is accused of witchcraft because of her actions. This story is told with beautiful lyrical and poetic prose. The descriptions of the Scottish highlands are breathtaking. Corrag is a gentle sole who has learned how to heal with herbs from her mother Cora. She is forced to leave her mother who will be burned at the stake for witchcraft and flees to the Scottish highlands. She befriends the Macdonald clan and warns them that something bad is going to happen. She is arrested and charged with witchcraft. She tells her story to Charles, who believes at first she should be executed, but as Corrag tells her story. He sees what a beautiful person she really is. I didn’t want this book to end. It is a captivating story, one that will stay with you long after you read it.

Fascinating tale of an accused ‘witch’ girl’s life in northern England and Scotland, and the priest who wants to know about the MacDonald massacre.

The poetic revelations of Scotland’s natural lands, glens, peaks and wildlife are soul fulfilling. Like crisp fresh air. Susan Fletcher takes us on a beautiful, rugged journey through from England to the Scottish highlands. It’s elegant and sad and breathtaking in words and voice. The story of the massacre at Glencoe is heartbreaking and tragic no matter who tells the history but Fletcher gives it humanity and a deep sense of loss while reminding us what life and the living is truly worth.

Some books stay with you. Change you for the better. This is one for me. One of my new favorites.

A strange, lyrical, beautiful and yet heart wrenching story describing life of the woman Corrag and the eventual massacre of the MacDonalds of Glencoe, who she had come to love. It is told by Corrag to a traveling Jacobite reverend who has come to learn the truth, and who discovers her in her prison cell, awaiting death by fire for being a “witch”. This book was hard to read at first, but after I fell into the rhythm of it, I couldn’t put it down. And although I wept, there was also much beauty, redemption, and love in the pages. I am grateful.

A well told story written almost poetically. Being honest, it's very wordy which some readers may not like but it's in a good way. The story teller(s) speak so beautifully you really can see the scenes they describe and feel the love, joy, horror, sadness they encounter. The subject matter is disturbing, hunting, burning witches is an overriding theme, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of the heartfelt writing and characters.

It is a challenge to read. The writer is exceptionally good but the story is very difficult to read - especially because it is based on a historically true one.

Happy with my product

My friend and I loved this book. We talked about it during brunch. I could tell her husband wished he’d read it too! I still think about this book and the characters! 💖

captures the past, beautifully written and shows somethings d0nt change, one of the best reads I have had

Un roman bien écrit, qui nous fait voyager et vibrer avec les personnages, je recommande vraiment cette lecture, peut-être plutôt en hiver ? :)