Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep in the heart of a dark forest, there lived a witch family. The village people were fearful of this family, for they believed them to possess dark and magical powers. The witch family consisted of three members: the wise and powerful matriarch, Hecate, her daughter Morgana, and Morgana's mischievous twin daughters, Lily and Rose. Hecate, with her wrinkled face and silver hair, was the most feared and respected witch in the whole forest. Legends spoke of her unrivaled knowledge of spells and potions that could bring both healing and destruction. Her wisdom was sought by many, and it was said that she could communicate with the spirits of the forest.
“Go, go, go! To the glass hill go!”
With a carefully composed abracadabra, Old Witch gets herself the beginning of a family when a little witch named Hannah and her black kitten, Little Tom, come swooping in to stay. She obviously understood children, because her books have been very popular, and continue to be read, fifty or sixty years after their original publication.
Her wisdom was sought by many, and it was said that she could communicate with the spirits of the forest. Morgana, on the other hand, inherited her mother's magical abilities but harbored a softer heart. Unlike Hecate, she never sought to harm or control others.
Witch Awareness Month
Sometimes, a childhood book is so precious to us that we can recall with joy the numbers of times we read it and pieces of it stick forever in our memories. Such was the case for me with The Witch Family, a book I first read some 45 years ago. Oh Malachi, bumblebee so magical that from that time foreward all bumblebees assumed that name, you are forever imprinted in my memories.
There were, once upon a time, two not-quite-six-years-old girls by the names of Amy and Clarissa. They lived next door to each other on Garden Lane in Washington, DC and they loved to draw pictures and tell stories.
Amy was particularly fond of stories about old grandmother Old Witch because Amy’s mother made up scary tales. So one day, while Amy and Clarissa were drawing, Amy decided that because Old Witch was so very, very wicked, she must be “banquished.”
“Go, go, go! To the glass hill go!”
And so it was that Old Witch, the wickedest great-great-great grandmother Witch and her cat, Old Tom, were sent to live on the great glass hill with only herbs to eat and the strictest of instructions to never cause any wickedness at all until Halloween (because you can’t have a proper Halloween without witches). To ensure that Old Witch behaved, Amy sent her emissary Malachi the bumblebee who, due to the powerful effects of a magical Rune, was able to spell . . . and to sting and sting and sting to get his point across.
Old Witch was most perturbed by this turn of events, and most resentful. How could she do without her hurly-burlies and backanallies? Besides, it was lonesome and bleak on the great glass hill.
But Amy was not a cruel girl, and she sends letters to Old Witch via a bright red cardinal bird. With a carefully composed abracadabra, Old Witch gets herself the beginning of a family when a little witch named Hannah and her black kitten, Little Tom, come swooping in to stay.
Hannah, being a proper little witch girl, must go to Witch School. After all, Amy and Clarissa must go to school so it’s only natural. It’s never easy being the new kid, though.
With Malachi there to protect her, things get sorted out pretty quickly!
And so the story goes between the lives of Amy and Clarissa, and the lives of the Witch Family, where the imaginations of two little girls become reality and the two worlds intersect.
Hannah is lonely on the glass hill and sometimes frightened of Old Witch. One day, while Old Witch is off causing trouble despite dire warnings from Malachi, Hannah finds a way into the glass hill and makes friends with a young mermaid who lives in crystal pools of water. She has a Mer-cow and a baby mermaid sister. Hannah realizes how lonely she is and wishes for a baby sister of her own. Amy and Clarissa feel this is an appropriate thing to wish for . . . so an abracadra or two later, a Weenie Witchie strapped to a tiny broom along with a scrawny black kitten come sailing into the house on the glass hill.
Now, you know that Old Witch just cannot help being wicked for that is her nature, and mischief ensues as the days go by. There are adventures – but not too awful because the banquisher (Amy) doesn’t really want to have a Halloween without witches sailing through the air! Oh, but there are visits back and forth between the worlds, and a few hurly-burlies, and a scare or two besides.
The story seamlessly blends the mundane world with the magical world and the ways of children with a cleverness of phrasing usually reserved for more mature readers. It’s a tale full of heart and mystery, nervous adventure and the comfort of one’s favorite swing, of being alive, and of learning to love. And, in the words of Malachi,
Instead, she used her powers to heal the sick and injured in the village. Morgana's gentle nature made her beloved by the villagers, although they held some reservations due to her lineage. Lily and Rose, the mischievous twins, were natural troublemakers. With their bright red hair and impish grins, the sisters loved casting spells and playing pranks on unsuspecting villagers. They found joy in using their magic to bring laughter to the lives of those around them. Despite their childish antics, their magic never crossed the line into malice. As the years passed, the witch family lived a quiet life in their humble cottage on the edge of the village. Hecate helped the villagers in secret, casting spells and brewing potions to heal ailments that no ordinary medicine could cure. Morgana continued her work as a healer, using her magic to bring comfort to those in pain. Lily and Rose, now young women, had discovered their own unique magical talents. While still mischievous, they had grown to understand the importance of using their powers responsibly. The bond between the witch family and the village began to strengthen as the villagers slowly realized that their fears had been unfounded all along. They saw the good that the witches had brought to their lives, and the family's reputation began to change. No longer seen as evil sorceresses, the villagers now regarded the witches as valuable members of their community. And so, the witch family continued to live in harmony with the villagers, offering their help and using their powers for the greater good. Through their acts of kindness and compassion, the witches dispelled the darkness and fear that had surrounded their names for so long. The story of the witch family became a legend whispered by generations, reminding all that appearances can be deceiving, and that unity and acceptance are stronger forces than fear..
Reviews for "Behind Closed Doors: Life Inside a Witch Family's Coven"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
"The witch family" was a complete disappointment for me. The story was slow-paced and lacked any real excitement or suspense. The characters were one-dimensional and failed to elicit any empathy or interest from me as a reader. The plot was predictable, and the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and unengaging read.
2. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
I found "The witch family" to be quite mediocre. The concept of a witch family living in a small town seemed intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The world-building was underdeveloped, leaving many unanswered questions. The dialogue felt unnatural and forced, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with slow periods punctuated by sudden bursts of action that felt disjointed. While this book had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver a compelling and cohesive story.
3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "The witch family," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was simplistic and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked believable motivations, which made it hard for me to connect with them on an emotional level. The plot felt disjointed and meandering, with several subplots that didn't add much to the overall narrative. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and unremarkable.
4. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
"The witch family" was a book that I had hoped would be a thrilling and magical read, but I was left disappointed. The story lacked originality and felt like a cliché, with predictable plot twists and unremarkable characters. The pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of exposition followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. The world-building was minimal, leaving much to be desired in terms of atmosphere and lore. While there were moments of potential, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution of the story.
5. Rachel - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "The witch family" to be a frustrating and unenjoyable read. The writing style was clunky and awkward, with repetitive phrases and stilted dialogue. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, with numerous subplots that seemed unnecessary and confusing. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their outcomes. Overall, this book felt like a wasted opportunity and left me feeling dissatisfied.