Anya Bergman author of The Witches of Vardø

The Merry Menopause Bookclub

To kick off the NEW season of The Merry Menopause Bookclub Podcast, I am delighted to have as my guest Anya Bergman author of best selling novel The Witches of Vardø.

In this episode, Anya shares her fascination with the real-life story of three women - Ana, Ingeborg, and Maren - who fought for survival during the brutal Witch trials of 1662 on the remote Norwegian island of Vardø.

Anya's novel is a powerful and poignant blend of historical fact, folktales, and mythology that aims to reclaim the lost voices of the women of Vardø with sensitivity and inspire readers with a fierce sense of "F*** the patriarchy!"

She discusses her research process, which involved living in Norway and studying the records of the Finmark Witch trials of 1662/1663 to gain a deeper understanding of what happened on Vardø at that time.

Anya sheds light on the tensions in Norway and Denmark with much of the blame falling on the devil and his Witches for the economic situation and an explanation for violent and misogynistic behaviour. And we discuss how the cruelty towards 'Witches' came from the genuine belief and fear of the masses in the devil and Witches. How they were seen as agents of terror that needed to be eradicated.

Anya also explains the link between Scotland and Norway - King James VI of Scotland and Christian IV of Denmark were brothers-in-law - which resulted in Scotland ‘exporting’ Witch hunts to Denmark. Such was the brutality of the torture of women it led them to denounce each other to escape incarceration, unbearable pain and if they survived, being burnt alive.

Anya challenges the Menopausal stereotype in her depiction of the fascinating Ana Rhodius. A complex and multifaceted character, Love her or hate her, you as the reader get to decide.

Finally, Anya tells us about the remarkable memorial to the Witches built and funded by the Norwegian state on the execution site in Vardø. This episode is thought-provoking, offering insight into a dark chapter of history and the importance of reclaiming the voices of innocent women.
Anya’s book choice

Devotion by Hannah Kent

You can find out more about Anya Bergman here

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