Witchcraft for Wayward Girls TPB

Description

​Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is a compelling horror novel set in the sweltering summer of 1970 at Wellwood House, a home for unwed mothers in St. Augustine, Florida. The story follows fifteen-year-old Fern, who arrives pregnant, terrified, and alone. At Wellwood, she meets other girls in similar predicaments: Rose, a free-spirited hippie determined to keep her baby; Zinnia, an aspiring musician planning to marry her child’s father; and Holly, a mute girl of barely fourteen, whose circumstances are shrouded in mystery. Their daily lives are strictly controlled by the stern Miss Wellwood, who dictates their routines and conversations under the guise of knowing what’s best for them. The girls’ existence is one of powerlessness and despair until Fern encounters a librarian who introduces her to an occult book about witchcraft. This newfound knowledge offers them a semblance of control and empowerment. However, as they delve deeper into the dark arts, they soon realize that power comes at a cost—one often paid in blood.

Hendrix masterfully explores themes of autonomy, societal oppression, and the lengths to which individuals will go to reclaim agency over their lives. The novel has been praised for its vivid portrayal of the era and its empathetic depiction of the young women’s struggles. As noted in a review by The Guardian, “It is rare for a male author to write in such convincing, intimate detail about the emotional and physical experience of pregnancy, and with such empathy.” ​

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a haunting tale that intertwines historical realities with supernatural elements, offering readers a thought-provoking and chilling experience.