1. In Defence of Witches — Mona Chollet

What if the women we’ve been taught to fear as witches were actually women who refused to fit neatly into the roles society gave them? Mona Chollet looks at the long history of witch-hunting alongside the ways women are still judged for being independent, childfree or for simply ageing. Part feminist history, part cultural commentary, this is a brilliant invitation to reclaim the witch as a figure of freedom and resistance.

2. Bright I Burn — Molly Aitken

Inspired by the true story of Alice Kyteler, the first woman in Ireland to be condemned as a witch, Bright I Burn brings a fascinating woman from medieval history vividly back to life. Alice is ambitious, clever and determined to build a life on her own terms, but her wealth and independence make her increasingly threatening to those around her. Atmospheric, fiery and beautifully written, it’s a story about power, desire and what happens when a woman refuses to stay in her place.

3. Caliban and the Witch — Silvia Federici

A fascinating and influential book for anyone curious about the deeper history behind the persecution of witches. Silvia Federici connects the witch hunts to the rise of capitalism, arguing that the control of women’s bodies, reproductive lives and labour was central to the emergence of a new economic order. It’s an illuminating read that asks us to look at witch-hunting as part of a much longer history of power.

4. The Manningtree Witches — A.K. Blakemore

Set in Essex in 1645, this darkly atmospheric novel brings the notorious Manningtree witch trials to life through the eyes of Rebecca and her mother, Lizzy. The story captures a community gripped by suspicion, fear and religious fervour, while paying close attention to the women caught up in the accusations. Unsettling, immersive and beautifully rendered, it’s a haunting reminder of how quickly a neighbour can become an enemy.

5. The Green Witch — Arin Murphy-Hiscock

For something a little more hands-on, The Green Witch is a warm intro to nature-based witchcraft. It explores herbs, plants, crystals, seasonal rituals, and ways to bring a little more magic and mindfulness into everyday life. Suitable for an experienced practitioner or if you’re somebody who simply likes the idea of slowing down and paying closer attention to the natural world.

6. The Witch — Marie NDiaye

A strange, funny and wonderfully unsettling novel about Lucie, a rather ordinary witch whose magical abilities are considerably less impressive than those of her mother and her twin daughters. When the girls discover that their powers far exceed hers, family life takes some very unexpected turns. Originally published in French in 1996 and newly translated into English, it’s an offbeat take on witchcraft and motherhood.

7. Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch — Rivka Galchen

Set in seventeenth-century Germany, this wonderfully inventive novel follows Katharina Kepler, an ordinary woman accused of witchcraft by her neighbours. Told through the testimony of the people around her, it becomes as much a story about gossip, community and the stories we construct about one another as it is about witchcraft itself. Funny, strange and surprisingly tender, it brings a very human dimension to the history of witch trials.

8. Witches, Midwives and Nurses: A History of Women Healers — Barbara Ehrenreich & Deirdre English

This short but influential book explores the complicated history of women and healing, from folk medicine and midwifery to the emergence of professional medicine. It asks how women’s knowledge of their own bodies and of healing practices came to be marginalised as medicine became increasingly professionalised and male-dominated. A fascinating read if you’re interested in the relationship between witchcraft, women’s knowledge and who gets to be recognised as an authority figure.

9. Circe — Madeline Miller

You may already know Circe as the witch who turns Odysseus’s men into pigs, but Madeline Miller gives her a whole story of her own. Exiled to a remote island, Circe discovers her powers and gradually learns how to use them, navigating gods, monsters, love and loneliness along the way. Lyrical and immersive, it’s a beautiful reimagining of a woman remembered for centuries as a villain.

10. Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials — Marion Gibson

Marion Gibson takes us through thirteen individual trials, spanning centuries and continents. Alongside familiar names and infamous witch-hunters, she brings the accused themselves back into focus, asking who these people were and what their lives might have looked like before they were labelled witches. Fascinating and accessible, it’s a powerful reminder that those accused of witchcraft were just ordinary women and men.

UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have regrettably had to cancel this event. Ticket holders have been issued a full refund which should take 5-10 business days to appear in your account. We offer our sincerest apologies.

Explore the history, folklore and literature of the witch. This is a relaxed talk with plenty of opportunities for discussion. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of folklore, fascinated by history, or simply curious about why the witch continues to cast such a spell over us, come along for a warm, welcoming evening of stories and conversation.

In this intimate, interactive evening, we’ll explore:

• The witch as a symbol of power, rebellion and female agency.

• The history of witch persecutions and what they reveal about patriarchy and control.

• Books, myths and films about the witch that have shaped our collective imagination.

• Local women in Kent who were accused of being witches

• The rise of the modern witch and how contemporary culture has commodified witch identity (#WitchTok).

You’ll be welcomed with seasonal tea as we gather around the table to discuss the above and more. This is a warm, welcoming space for learning and meaningful conversations.

Date: Tuesday 21 October
Time: 7:00–8:30pm
Location: Office Tribe, 8a London Road, Tunbridge Wells (on the other side of Fine Grind)

Accessibility: To reach the venue, you must go up a flight of stairs. Unfortunately step-free access is not available.

Please do inform us if you have allergies as seasonal tea will be offered.

Tickets: £19 non-refundable as spaces are limited, unless ticket can be swaped with someone on the waitlist.

Spaces are limited to keep the discussion intimate, so we recommend booking early.

This event is for adults 18 and over.

Book my spot

At Prose Before Woes, we believe that the humanities make us better humans. In a world that can feel chaotic and frightening, coming together with like-minded people to chat and learn can be deeply replenishing.

If you’ve been running on empty for a while, the invitation is here to take some time to nourish your curiosity.

Here are some of our upcoming in-person events in Tunbridge Wells:

OCT- Seasons of the Witch—Wicked, wise or misunderstood? Explore the history, folklore and literature behind one of culture’s most enduring figures.

DEC- Winter Hauntings— Curl up with the ghosts of Christmas past as we explore the eerie tradition of winter ghost stories.

FEB- Retelling Jane Austen— From Bridget Jones’s Diary to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, why do we keep reinventing Victorian classics?

We’ll share booking details for each event soon.

Our small gatherings take place in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, in a space that feels warm and welcoming. We’ll gather around the table over seasonal tea, exploring fascinating topics designed to spark conversation and curiosity that continues long after the event itself.

We hope you’ll join us for one of these intimate gatherings. And if you can’t make it, we hope you’ll still find a little time to step away from the everyday and have some fun.

It feels like we have to justify everything we do these days. A course must lead to a certificate or diploma that makes us more employable. A creative workshop has to give us skills we can turn into a side hustle. Productivity is the end goal because we’re encouraged to commodify everything, even our hobbies. We get this message from the government, our employers, and social media ads. Learning for pleasure is pointless at best, selfish at worst. In the last year, Reform UK have made wide-sweeping cuts to adult education courses in Kent and, almost overnight, creative workshops and arts courses disappeared from towns like Tunbridge Wells, though ‘job skills’ courses survived. Universities are culling their humanities departments too. Across the UK, the message is loud and clear: learning is only useful if it makes us employable.

The obvious argument against these short-sighted cuts is that humanities courses give us tonnes of useful skills that transfer into the workplace. Last we checked, most jobs require us to interact with other humans. Subjects like literature and philosophy make us more empathetic and challenge us to see from different perspectives. But even if humanities courses didn’t help our day jobs (though they absolutely do!), we still crave play in our lives, and that is enough reason to pursue them. We are curious and creative by nature and need opportunities to learn for learning’s sake. Facing pressures to be more productive, many of us have even outsourced our creativity to AI, and this comes at a cost. Something feels off in our bodies as we scroll through social media and see the same AI slop.

With all the major changes we’re living through right now, learning for fun is a radical act. Setting aside time to pursue our interests is not selfish. On the contrary. It sets an example for family and friends and says, ‘I’m nurturing my heart, and you should too’. In-person events, in particular, make us feel connected and present when so much of daily life is structured to do the opposite.

Learning for fun is the end goal. The whole shabang. That’s why we’ve set up pop-up events through Prose before Woes, so we can nourish hearts and minds and bring people together. A few upcoming events in Tunbridge Wells (details to follow):

OCT- Seasons of the Witch—Wicked, wise or misunderstood? Explore the history, folklore and literature behind one of culture's most enduring figures.

DEC- Winter Hauntings— Curl up with the ghosts of Christmas past as we explore the eerie tradition of winter ghost stories.

FEB- Retelling Jane Austen— From Bridget Jones's Diary to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, why do we keep reinventing Victorian classics?

Whether you’re able to join us or not, we hope you’ll listen to that voice inside that says to make a little time to follow your curiosity. Most of all, just have yourself a bit of fun!

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