I\u2019m nosey. I\u2019m super interested in people\u2019s lives, particularly spiritual leaders and magic users. So, you can understand why it was impossible to resist Ellen Evert Hopman\u2019s latest book \u201cThe Real Witches of New England: History, Lore, and Modern Practice\u201d. It is a big ol\u2019 book of interviews and biographies of modern-day witches and people who were accused of being witches in the still too recent for comfort past.<\/p>\n
The first part of the book is dedicated to the history of witch persecutions. It\u2019s a concise round up of who was targeted, why there was witch paranoia, where there was witch hysteria, and what actual witches were doing during this period. This next part is truly inspired. You can find loads of books with biographies of people accused of witchcraft, however what Hopman has done is not only provide you with their biographies, but also includes interviews with their modern-day descedants. She asks them questions such as were they always aware they were descended from an accused witch, how do they define witchcraft, and do they practice themselves.<\/p>\n
Lastly, and my favorite part, is a whose who of contemporary witches of New England. There are some big names, such as Raven Grimassi, Christopher Penczak, and Christian Day, and many that were new to me. Hopman conducted email interviews with 25 different people. By asking a relatively consistent set of questions of each person it gives you a unique perspective of the various ways people define and practice witchcraft. I do have one question though, she interviewed Christopher Penczak and Adam Sartwell, two of the three founding members of the Temple of Witchcraft, why not also include Steve Kenson, the third founder and all around magical bad ass? Seriously, his absence totally stuck out to me. (What can I say, I\u2019m a ride or die Kenson girl!)<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t imagine who wouldn\u2019t love \u201cThe Real Witches of New England\u201d. Hopman has managed to put all New England\u2019s witchcraft history, and its future, into one enjoyable book. I only hope she does more books like this focusing on other geographic areas.<\/p>\n