by Bianca Marais
I have been following Bianca Marais for a few years at this point. Her podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing is an absolutely must-listen to any burgeoning (or experienced) writer. She brings the writing community together in amazing ways, she’s the reason I was put into a wonderful writers group! So, I realized, I should start giving my support to her with reading her books as well.
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor is her latest book. It is about six aged witches fighting against The Man (practically literally) to save their home. Ursula is ready for Ruby to return to their midst. Ivy is busy in her plant laboratory. Tabitha hasn’t left the house in 30 years. Queenie is trying not to let the others know what dire straights they are in. And Jezabel, well, she get to doing what she does best. The book opens with chapters from each of their point of view as a pig (once a man) wanders from the house and Ursula runs around distractedly, stark naked. I can just see the opening scene like a movie. Hilarious. When Penelope, a young feminist, comes to help them save the manor, they work together, revealing little secrets as they go along.
I will be honest, the beginning of the book felt slow and was very eye rolling with the naming of thing. Really? Cotton Mather is the name of the zealot reverend? Really? They townsmen want to knock down the witches house to build Men’s World? I think it would have been funnier if that just what the witches called it, but no. That’s what it was actually going to be called. But by page 103, the first twist/reveal was given and I was in.
If you want to dive into what the later stages of your life can be like, I highly recommend this book. They are all older women (save Penelope) yet they move through the world with confidence in their knowledge and grace in their agency.