There is definitely something lost in translation here - I’m sure this book is MUCH better in its original language. The narrative flow is clunky and the two speakers have no difference in their voice. And the chapters are just walls of text. I really wanted to like this, but something is lost in the movement from the author’s language.

“Grandpa Cosme used to call me Pájaro but not because I walked like I had feathers, he called me that because I have wings where other people have regrets and fears and they can’t stand up from the weight of everything their families expect from them […]

Thanks to @justatexasgalwholovesbooks for bringing “Witches” by Brenda Lozano to my attention. Such a great and important read.

This was a captivating story that weaved together the narratives of Feliciana, an indigenous curandera, and Zoe, a journalist on a quest for self-discovery. It’s quite a lyrical exploration of the bonds of family, societal norms, and the mysteries of healing. It delved into rich family sagas and complex societal norms and I just loved Lozano’s writing style, she can draw lyricism from the darkest places.

The novel also features Paloma, a Muxe (trans) character, who taught Feliciana about healing, the Language, and the Book. In fact, Paloma’s murder is the start, through-line and end of the novel.

It carries a profound commentary on gender and trans violence, the clash of modernity with traditional rituals, storytelling, healing, language, and love. Witches’ most definitely offers a tapestry of themes for contemplation and introspection. I will, most definitely, be looking out for more books by Lozano.

“There are people who fear us because they don’t understand what we do. I am not a witch or a fortune-teller or a healer like the others, God knows that, the herbs and the mushrooms give me great powers for reflection because that is the greatest power we have on this earth... people are afraid of us because they don’t know how we do it, but this is something that comes to us from our ancestors, it is as old as the land itself.”

So many quotable passages. #pudseyrecommends

“sisters are what we are not, they have what we don’t and we are what they are not”

“all women are born with a bit of bruja in them, for protection”

not exactly what i was expecting but a beautiful story with excellent writing

The fictional account of the Mazatec curandera Maria Sabina Magdalena Garcia. So, so good. The voice of Feliciana (Maria) is beautifully poetic.

3.5 stars I really liked this, it was like listening to a dream. I'm not sure I can tell you exactly what happened, but I was captivated by the telling.