Making witches

"Drawing from her own interviews and a wealth of material from the Memorial University Folklore and Language Archive, Barbara Rieti explores the range and depth of Newfoundland witch tradition, looking at why certain people acquired reputations as witches and why others considered themselves bewitched. The tales that emerge - despite their spells and black heart books, hags, and healing charms - concern everyday affairs and the intense social interdependence central to outport life. Often featuring women, they provide fascinating new perspectives on female coping strategies in a precarious…