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Caitriona Moran’s The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow has an instantly intriguing premise: a witch on trial in a medieval fantasy world befriends the Lord Proctor overseeing her confinement.
Oh-so charming and witty, the 30-something Magdalena is in cushioned captivity. She’ll soon be on trial, having been accused of performing secret abortions with tonics and tinctures augmented by magic. Along the way, she develops an unexpected friendship with the Lord Proctor, who could send her to the pyre with one word. She expects a hard-edged, holier-than-thou priest, but is surprised to realize the Lord Proctor is more judicious than judgmental. And most interestingly, he has deadly secrets of his own.
You would never guess that this book is a debut. Moran writes with the whimsical detail and subtle complexity of a seasoned author. The world is robust, yet not exhaustively explained, and her characters are truly a testament to her skill as a writer. Magdalena and the Lord Proctor develop over the course of Moran’s cheeky story—the ironic and comical duo of a witch and priest, and their excellent, facetious banter—without falling into the purgatory of telling us about them instead of showing us. Each side character felt well-balanced and contributed meaningfully to the plot, which was a joy to experience.
But perhaps the most notable aspect of this novel is its shrewd nod to modern debates over abortion access and women’s reproductive healthcare. How timely to write a book proclaiming “the healing arts only became black magic when they were applied to women’s bodies.” Despite its fantasy setting, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow offers a relevant look into the ordeals women face (and have faced for centuries) when up against powerful, religious figures with the ability to decree what is right and what is wrong. It is an ode to all women, past and present, who have faced scrutiny, judgment and even death when claiming autonomy over their bodies and futures.