I don’t know about you but I usually prefer to read books about women that are actually written by women. This isn’t me being prejudiced, I promise, but there’s just something about the unique experience you get from reading a book about women written by women. And from the many books I’ve read by men where they write about women… I feel like I know what I’m talking about.

However, there’s one author that I really don’t mind reading when he writes about women and that’s Grady Hendrix. I’m not gonna sit here and pretend what he does is perfect – it’s no – but I always enjoy his portrayals of women more than most male authors. I’ve just read Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. Here are my thoughts.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls follows a group of teenage girls, each of them wayward. Loose. Girls who grew up too fast. Basically, girls who became pregnant out of wedlock. They’ve all been sent to live at Wellwood Home in Florida to give birth to their babies in secret, give them up for adoption and then completely forget that it ever happened. 

The year is 1970 and Fern has just arrived at the home. As she befriends a number of other girls and every moment of her waking life and all their conversations become strictly controlled by adults that claim to know what’s best for them, she meets a librarian that gives her a mysterious book. This book claims to be a book of magic that will be able to give these girls power for the first time in their lives. But there’s always a price to pay… and it’s usually paid in blood.

I’m going to be honest, I went into this book not really knowing anything about it. And I loved it. I don’t think I’ve read a Grady Hendrix book that I haven’t loved so I felt comfortable going in blind. 

This book is kind of horrifying but it’s not really the witchcraft that’s the scariest. The way that unwed teenage girls were treated back in the day is something that you kind of know about but not really something you think about very often. This book has inspired me to do some actual research. I’d love to read some books about this that were written by women. I think it’s clear that Grady Hendrix has done a lot of research but I’d also love a female perspective. And obviously, this one is about witchcraft so might not be entirely accurate. But the scariest parts of the book were kind of the way these girls were treated. You’re really not surprised that they turn to witchcraft when you’re reading. 

This is a tragic tale. It’s one where too many teenage girls are treated like they deserve everything they’re given. The depictions of childbirth were kind of scary. It makes sense. These girls were terrified. It’s a book that you can sit with, one that will make you think. It’s a bit of a slow-burner but one that will stay with you for a long time.

I love this book. I think it might be my favourite Grady Hendrix Book.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a 5 star read.