The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe - Brian P. Levack

Levack's work is a overview of the legal, political, economic, religious, and epidemic circumstances which he argues enabled the great witch-hunts of early modern Europe. Although witches have been a lifelong interest for me, and I was eagerly anticipating reading this book, I found it kind of disappointing, to be honest.

The scope feels too broad - Levack seldom dives deeply into the particulars of any given hunt, preferring to treat the issue in very general terms. The book is surprisingly dry and even boring, which seems nearly impossible, treating as it does the lurid topics of torture, naked dancing, and burning at the stake, which in this book are described in the most clinical, repetitious passages. Levack also almost never includes direct quotes from contemporaries, which would have spiced it up considerably.

I did learn a few things, but the book could have been a third as long and 10 times more exciting. Especially on the heals of Erickson's riveting historical drama about Mary Tudor, this was pretty dull. Would not recommend.

Still more children's books? Really?

We seem not to have commented on The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart - I think I only read two of the three, but they were wonderfully fresh, funny, and extremely clever.  So I just saw The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict on the new books section of one of the best city libraries in the world, our own Cincinnati Public Library!  Well, this "prequel" is not so delightfully new, but, like a second trip to Italy, it's familiar and satisfying, while still offering pleasurable new discoveries.

On a completely different tack, I greatly enjoyed The Midnight Folk by John Masefield, former Poet Laureate of England (1930-67):

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

The Midnight Folk tells the story of Kay Harker, a seven year old boy who seeks to recover a treasure stolen from his grandfather, to whom it had been entrusted. Kay is opposed by a coven of witches who are also seeking the treasure. One (big Spoiler!) is his governess! Kay finds clues through dreams that seem real and leave tangible residues upon waking. He is also befriended and aided by many talking animals, mermaids, and remarkable characters. One such is the fox, Rollicum Bitem, shown in the Folio edition picture above

I crept out of covert and what did I see?
Ow-ow-ow-diddle-ow!
But seven fat bunnies, each waiting for me.
With a poacher's noosey, catch the fat goosey,
Ho says Rollicum Bitem.

Really it's like a delightful mixture of Wind In the Willows, Treasure Island, and Fairy Tales. Quite charming!