Title: The Women Could Fly
Series: N/A
Author: Megan Giddings
Genres: Fantasy
Publishing Date: 9 August 2022
CW: Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Racism, Homophobia, Religious bigotry
My Rating:
Read if you’re looking for:
- A world similar to our own, but magic exists
- America has turned more fascistic, and the government heavily monitors women for signs of witchiness
- Black, queer, woman main character
- Strong themes of misogyny & racism
- Explores generational trauma & seeing your parents as flawed humans
- A “good for her” ending
I loved this book! The main character, Jo, felt so relatable to me, and the troubles she goes through in the book are things a lot of us have experienced. America is similar to our own, except witches and magic are real. Women must be closely monitored by a man in their life, and if they do not marry by the age of 30 they become sort of wards of the state. There is a fear in society of women turning into witches if they have freedom and are allowed to think for themselves. Jo’s mother disappeared when she was young. Many years later, when Jo’s mother is finally declared dead, the her will is read and Jo is given a strange task, to go to a mysterious island in Lake Superior on a very specific date. As she learns more about her mother, and magic, she comes into her own power. Eventually she must defend herself agains all the oppression of society.
I reminded myself that throughout history women had endured far worse things. I had the internet, a job, access to pizza, money, no kids; no one had tried to burn me at the stake yet.
