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The Witches of Vardo
- Narrated by: Sofia Engstrand
- Length: 16 hrs and 30 mins
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The Witches of Vardo
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Summary
'Three women's fight for survival in a time of madness' Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies.
They will have justice. They will show their power. They will not burn.
Norway, 1662. A dangerous time to be a woman, when even dancing can lead to accusations of witchcraft. After recently widowed Zigri's affair with the local merchant is discovered, she is sent to the fortress at Vardø to be tried as a witch.
Zigri's daughter Ingeborg sets off into the wilderness to try to bring her mother back home. Accompanying her on this quest is Maren - herself the daughter of a witch - whose wild nature and unconquerable spirit gives Ingeborg the courage to venture into the unknown, and to risk all she has to save her family.
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?
These Witches of Vardø are stronger than even the King. In an age weighted against them, they refuse to be victims. They will have their justice. All they need do is show their power.
Critic reviews
"A triumph. Brilliant, brutal, captivating, heartstopping, heart-wrenching, and with the best kick-ass feminist female characters ever. I adored it!" (Sinéad Moriarty)
"An intricately woven, timeless novel about prejudice, misogyny, freedom and the power and strength we can find within." (Christy Lefteri)
"A passionate indictment of the patriarchy...a vibrant exaltation of the resilience of women... Anya Bergman summons a historic witch trial with breathtaking detail and immediacy." (Hannah Kent)
Featured article: Witches in fiction: 12 historical fiction books to listen to this Halloween
Throughout history, women have been branded as witches by people scared of their power, confidence and independence. In days past, accusations of being a witch – thrown at women for everything from being talented at working with herbs to being in the vicinity of a death – could result in banishment or even death. These 12 audiobooks, perfect for the longer nights, colder weather and the Halloween season, tell the stories of women through history, from goddesses to regular women, through a mix of horror, fantasy and historical fiction.
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What listeners say about The Witches of Vardo
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 06-02-23
Captivating and bewitching in every detail
I have always had a pull towards the history of the witch trials all across the world. I originally bought this book in physical copy because I saw it by chance and was overwhelmed with a desire to purchase it. I have Norwegian ancestry and have a deep love for herbs and their uses. I empathise deeply with what women went through in these times. It is an deep felt story of fear, persecution and cruelty but also of strength, bravery and the stoic resilience of these women, they were treated as though they were evil by those that were truly evil in their hearts. I hope those which this story took inspiration from rest in peace.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ben Moorhouse
- 19-03-23
Colourful and captivating
To know this story is based on real events in history is shocking and yet it paints such a vivid picture of events in this period that it is quite unbelievable and magical at the same time. It is an empowering tale that leaves me feeling that there is a littlest bit of Witchery in us all, caring, thoughtful, insightful and resourceful.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 18-11-23
Fascinating read
Loved the history and women’s stories. Tragic and also wonderful. Based on real events in Norway.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- M. J. Tudor
- 13-10-23
Excellent though harrowing
relentless though horrifyingly accurate depiction of misogyny and abuse without any justice till last chapter
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 27-09-23
Fascinating throughout. Not a dull page.
A very well written book keeping me hooked until the end. Not graphic yet harrowing in your minds eye; the sign of a truly skilled writer.
All characters were well formed and distinct. Thoroughly researched and accurate views expressed such as fear, religion, misogyny and herd mentality. And interesting take on Freu Anna. Some fantastic woven in but inkeeping.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-09-23
Slow to get started
I had high hopes for this story but it was very slow to get going. Setting the scene and getting to the heart of the action took a long time. Once there it does pick up and it was an interesting listen. The highlight was the narrator who has a lovely clear voice and brought the story to life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 29-08-23
Absolutely brilliant
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Couldn’t stop listening. Loved the facts about the characters at the end and the respectful attention given to those the book was was based on.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- G
- 15-07-23
Amazing
A simply amazing book a must read loved it from start to finish. Incredible story
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Åse
- 26-04-23
Wanted to stop but couldn’t
What a story. Spellbinding, horrible and sad. Tells of women’s struggles and men’s need to have power over them. Wanted to stop listening at times as it was so horrendous but had to continue at the same time. Loved the narrators beautiful reading. The characters were captured in a real and captivating way,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Maria stern
- 10-03-23
Excellent story
Engaging, smart, exciting, layered, thoughtful, and timely. I listened for hours at a stretch. A disturbing yet hopeful book.
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