Book Review- Slewfoot by Brom
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom (Gerald Brom)
Published September 21, 2021 by Nightfire
Print length: 431 pages (hardback)
Fiction. Dark Fantasy/Horror
In Colonial New England, a spirit awakens in the forest. Abitha, an outsider in a nearby Puritan settlement, attracts the attention of this nameless spirit, drawing him from the woods and into the world of humans. The spirit, a creature of many names and uncertain of his past, wants only to remember and find his true nature. Abitha wishes to be free of the control of her brother-in-law and the constriction of Puritan life. Together, these two set in motion a series of events that lead to accusations of witchcraft, violence and destruction.
If a reader is looking for a historically accurate portrayal of Puritan life in Seventeenth Century New England, this probably isn’t the novel for them. While there is some exploration of Puritan life, Abitha often seems very modern, as does the conversations and actions of the characters around her. If readers can suspend their desire for historical accuracy and look more to reading a strange tale of spirits and magic, they will find Slewfoot much more enjoyable.
The writing style of Slewfoot reminded me of folktales and even fairy tales, though admittedly a particularly dark fairy tale. The language is simple and yet very strange, with a dreamlike quality that made the story seem timeless. The characters are well developed and I quickly felt like I knew Abitha and wanted her to succeed against the terrible odds against her. The sinister spirits that attend Slewfoot are straight from a nightmare, and Slewfoot himself moves between being confused, monstrous and surprisingly sympathetic.
Slewfoot will definitely appeal to fans of the 2015 film The Witch (Written and directed by Robert Eggers). While Slewfoot does not have the meticulous focus on historical accuracy as The Witch, the two share themes and atmosphere, with the same ambiguous presentation of witchcraft and magic. Are Abitha and Slewfoot evil or are they driven to their actions by circumstance and the repressive nature of Puritan society?
I will admit, it was the cover art that first convinced me to pick up Slewfoot. It was the first book by Brom that I have read and I look forward to exploring more of his writing. He has a unique voice, mixing horror, dark fantasy and folklore together, along with including original artwork that accompanies the book. I am curious to read more and see what else Brom has to offer.
For more information:
Author’s website: https://www.bromart.com/novels
Publisher’s website: https://tornightfire.com/catalog/slewfoot-a-tale-of-bewitchery-brom/