"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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