Mona Chollet demonstrates how...those who emancipate themselves from certain social norms, are in fact direct heirs of those that were hunted down censored, and eliminated during the Renaissance." -Huffington Post

• Links the historic and legendary image of the witch with real women past and present, focusing on three different types of women: the independent women; childless women; and elderly women, examples of those attempting to live outside the power of male domination.
• Ranges from Renaissance Europe and Salem witch trials to modern day, focusing on how women have perpetually been targeted for bucking the norms of marriage and motherhood, persecuted through "trials" of all kinds.
• Like recent feminist books by Roxane Gay, Lindy West, and Rebecca Solnit, Chollet takes a feminist approach to popular culture, discussing American examples from Toni Morrison to Broad City as well as many works of European literature and art.
• Whether it's feminists celebrating historic examples of female rebellion or pagan practitioners resurrecting "ancient" practices, many women (and men!) are continually entranced by the image and history of the Witch. This book delves deeply into that fascination and significance, while also paying homage to those who continue to practice and perform the rites of witchcraft.