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The Last Witch of Scotland
- A bewitching story based on true events
- Narrated by: Samara MacLaren, Steven Cree
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
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The Last Witch of Scotland
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Summary
Being a woman was her only crime.
Scottish Highlands, 1727.
In the aftermath of a tragic fire that kills her father, Aila and her mother, Janet, move to the remote parish of Loth, north-west of Inverness. Blending in does not come easily to the women: Aila was badly burned in the fire and left with visible injuries, while her mother struggles to maintain her grip on reality. When a temporary minister is appointed in the area, rather than welcome the two women, he develops a strange curiosity for them that sets them even further apart from the community.
Then arrives a motley troupe of travelling entertainers from Edinburgh, led by the charismatic but mysterious Jack. It is just the distraction Janet, and particularly Aila, needs: for the first time in a long while, their lives are filling with joy and friendship, and a kind of hope Aila hasn't known since her father's death. But in this small community, faith is more powerful than truth, and whispers more dangerous even than fire.
Haunting and deeply moving, The Last Witch of Scotland is a story of love, loyalty and sacrifice, inspired by the true story of the last person to be executed for witchcraft in Britain.
Critic reviews
"Compelling, evocative, heart-wrenching... Highly recommended." (Fiona Valpy, author of The Storyteller of Casablanca)
Featured article: Witches in fiction: 12 historical fiction books to listen to this Halloween
Throughout history, women have been branded as witches by people scared of their power, confidence and independence. In days past, accusations of being a witch – thrown at women for everything from being talented at working with herbs to being in the vicinity of a death – could result in banishment or even death. These 12 audiobooks, perfect for the longer nights, colder weather and the Halloween season, tell the stories of women through history, from goddesses to regular women, through a mix of horror, fantasy and historical fiction.
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What listeners say about The Last Witch of Scotland
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- KayLeMo
- 09-01-24
mezmerizing, heartbreaking yet fringed with light and hope
It has been a while since a book has had me shed a tear, and at a certain point I was weeping as though for a friend. Each character is brought to life in just the rjght way. The story an important one to tell and although based on true events, much has been curated as history has left many gaps to be filled in Janet Hornes tale. I believe the gaps have been tenderly and respectfully filled by the author. I must note that the book has been narrated beautifully too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- M Hauge
- 30-11-23
Very interesting
A good insight to the injustice against women, in particular, accused of witchcraft. Read and learn.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- B. Wilde
- 06-01-24
Enjoyable read
I have enjoyed the narration, both narrators did a very good job of bringing the character voices to life. The plot is engaging enough, although at times perhaps focused a little too much on the male characters and their dealings. I wasn’t convinced by the ending, but I certainly like the idea of linking the past with the present in some way.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Wowbagger_The_Third
- 22-01-24
Good performance, enjoyed the story
This story was enjoyable and I was engaged all the way through - it was a little bit on the far fetched end of interpretation and the narrator voice a little too modern in her sensibilities, although I know this is nitpicking and it’s not the worst thing these days to lean into a world of happy possibility in grim historical absence of fact.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs E.
- 19-05-23
You did Janet Horne proud.
I’ve stood at Janet’s stone in Dornoch and thought someone should write her story. I was going to do it. I’m glad I didn’t. Thank you for telling Janet’s story the way you did. You did her proud.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BadMedisin
- 22-05-24
I’m not crying…
Loved this book. Really well-told story with excellent narration. Had some funny moments and some touching ones, mostly made me angry at how these women were treated, and did make me cry a couple of times. Don’t let that convince you that this’ll be a miserable experience, it’s not. It’s just a very good book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 29-01-24
My first Audible...
As the title suggests, this is the first audio book I have listened to. I am Scottish too, and I was drawn to the story, along with the free sample. I have no prior knowledge regarding the witch trials in Scotland, and although this book is written as fiction, it is based on true events. I feel awfully ignorant for being unaware of what so many people, mostly women, endured during the witch trials. I aspire to learn more. I loved this story, and thought it was pieced together elegantly! I've recommended it to all of my friends!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kazz
- 19-04-23
Really enjoyed
Being from the central belt of Scotland, I know a bit about the history of the witch trials & enjoyed this story & it’s links to the history
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Patricia Buchan
- 14-04-24
excellent novel bringing the witch trials to life
I loved it .An enthralling tale which kept me interested and hooked till the very end
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Merlin Magician
- 10-07-23
Fiction teaches us real history of unequal rights in Scotland
This Fiction is based on factual events and teaches us a true history of unequal rights in Scotland, Britain and the world. Excellently written and a story well told and performed.
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