The Witches of Vardo: THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER: 'Powerful, deeply moving' - Sunday Times

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Thanks to the opening of this striking 2011 memorial, many more people are now aware of what took place in Vardø and across Finnmark in the 17th century. The Vardø witch trials During the panics, the accused were held at Vardohus Castle and executed at Steilneset. Nearly all of the witches were accused of “casting spells on ships, chasing the fish from land, casting a spell on the District Governor’s hand and foot, and trying to set fire to the castle.” These are interesting crimes, as each would have had dire effects on Vardo’s people. By bewitching ships or fish, witches influenced the town’s economy and caused suffering; by targeting the District Governor or castle, they attempted to remove town authority and safety. These were major concerns for the people of Vardo–and, unfortunately, were believed to be more influenced by the supernatural than any other factor.

Vardo in 1621 was a foreboding place. Though the Medieval period, when supernatural powers were accepted as fact and the practice of magic was believed to influence everything, was long gone, belief in witchcraft survived. The church banned it. Science attempted to disprove it. Yet still the belief persisted, and it led to what might be called an epidemic of witchcraft trials–and executions–from 1570 to 1680. Scholars estimate that during this 110-year period, as many as 60,000 people were put to death on suspicion of witchcraft, with Sweden and Spain known for their high numbers of child witches. Except for the Sami boy Zare, none of the characters felt likeable or acted sensibly. Some of the characters change their minds randomly just to change the direction of the plot. I’d like to thank NetGalley and Zaffre UK for approving me for an ARC of this book. This was one of my highly anticipated read of 2023 and it did not disappoint. The nearby mountain Domen, where many of the accused witches were said to have met, is now home to a shelter to rest and enjoy the ocean view. The trials in popular cultureSteilneset has become a popular stop on the Varanger scenic route, one of Norway's 18 road trips designated National Scenic Routes. The Louise Bourgeois installation at the Vardø memorial a b Willumsen, Liv Helene (2013-02-01). "Children accused of witchcraft in 17th-century Finnmark". Scandinavian Journal of History. 38 (1): 18–41. doi: 10.1080/03468755.2012.741450. ISSN 0346-8755. S2CID 96469672.

The Witches of Vardø is a powerful work of historical fiction that draws on the records of the witch trials in 17th Century Norway, focusing on the lives of a number of women caught up in these events. It is an incredible debut and a superb example of literary historical fiction. It is completely engaging and meticulously researched. I had a real sense of the deep connection that Anya Bergman felt to her subject whilst reading. Also captive in the fortress is Anna Rhodius, once the King of Denmark's mistress, who has been sent in disgrace to the island of Vardø. What will she do - and who will she betray - to return to her privileged life at court? This was the last of the many great witch trials of Northern Norway. More people were accused in the following decades, but only two of those cases (in 1678 and 1695) led to a death sentence. At Christmas 1662, children were accused when sisters Ingeborg Iversdatter and Karen Iversdatter (8 years old), children of one of the newly executed women, were brought in for questioning with Maren Olsdatter, the niece of one of the executed women. The children told many stories, and the priest had a hard time making them say the catechism when they were in the "trollkvinnefengeselhullet" (the "witches-hole") in the fortress, where witches were kept awaiting verdict.Marianne Gunn O’Connor, Marianne Gunn O’Connor Agency said: ‘Bergman’s brilliant novel The Witches of Vardø totally captivated me as it tells the story of deep-rooted fear: of women’s power, of things that couldn’t be understood by science and logic, themes that will resonate with women world-wide today. I am beyond thrilled that the wonderful Margaret Stead and Kate Parkin and all the fabulous team at Bonnier are shepherding Anya Bergman and these witches out into the world.’ This is a thought-provoking and beautifully told story, one that historical fiction fans won’t want to put down.