Questions About The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles, #1)

by Laurie Forest (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (25)

Why is a book that includes this text - "The Kelts are not a pure race like us. They're more accepting of intermarriage, and because of this, they're hopelessly mixed" - without any critical engagement of the racist purity mythology embedded therein being published in 2017, especially for a young audience?

Hamel It honestly seemed to me that the entire book was critically engaging with this question.

I was often uncomfortable during the first half of the book, …moreIt honestly seemed to me that the entire book was critically engaging with this question.

I was often uncomfortable during the first half of the book, because the xenophobic statements made by the main character are so much in line with what racist people in reality say (as opposed to what strawman racists in stories usually say). I think that's what makes the book so successful, though. When she starts to think more about the social forces in her world, it packs that much more of a punch. (less)

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All of the 2016 reviews say this book is awesome, and all of the 2017 reviews say this book is horrendous. Why such a discrepancy? Is there really such a huge difference between the ARC and finished copy?

Diane The context of the book is that the society is pretty strictly religious, and there are a lot of prejudices that are supported by the religion. But th…moreThe context of the book is that the society is pretty strictly religious, and there are a lot of prejudices that are supported by the religion. But the whole point is that the main character begins to grapple with her doubts about that worldview. So, yeah, there are examples of prejudice which has people upset...but that's a little like complaining that The Handmaid's Tale is sexist because the society has subjugated women. That's the point. The author isn't condoning prejudice or homophobia but rather showing the evolution of someone breaking out of that kind of worldview. (less)

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I've been following this book for a while. All the reviews were five star ratings and people were gushing about it. It's interesting that once few popular reviewers point out what they find offensive, all of a sudden, there seems to be an uproar about this book and everyone finds it racist! Why so? Can't we not be influenced by others? Why are we restricting authors? Why can't they create bad, hate-driven worlds?

Caspar Vega Independent minds are part of Badthink™. This must be censored and eventually eliminated in favor of Goodthink™.

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Why are people trashing a book that is obviously ANTI-racist???? I guess you object to JK Rowling's books too? Are you that dumb?

Rebecca Newman JK Rowling's books (which have their own serious problems with her lack of research into other cultures and gross stereotypes etc.) at the very least …moreJK Rowling's books (which have their own serious problems with her lack of research into other cultures and gross stereotypes etc.) at the very least do not center on the mind of the person who is being a bigot for more than half the book. The people who hold those opinions are shown to be villains. There is not the idea of 'Oh, well, I changed my mind so it's now all better and any hurt I caused in the past should totally be completely forgiven, even if I continue to say racist or ablist or homophobic things.' In Rowling's text the obviously, overtly racist stuff is at least challenged nearly immediately and people are not asked to sympathize with and root for the people who hold those opinions.

Do you see the difference?

That said, while I enjoyed the Harry Potter books, they are full of stereotypes. Heck, they manage to be racist against certain ethnicities within what gets classed as 'white' in the US. They also seem to completely ignore current British demographics, though that may be a blessing given the serious lack of research and problems with what she's done now looking at the rest of the world.

Basically, Rowling did a better job of at least fighting back against the really blatant racism, but even her books, honestly, reinforce a lot of systemic racism, largely because she's not able to see the ways they do because they do not directly affect her life and experience, and when people have tried to point things out to her, she's gotten defensive instead of listening.

So, yeah, for twenty or thirty years ago, this book might have been acceptably anti-racist, but the world has moved on and people expect better now and are more able to point out the problems and why things are a problem.

If it doesn't personally affect you, it can be hard to see how things are hurtful or a problem, but the proper response when someone says 'Hey, this hurts' is not to tell them 'No, it doesn't'.(less)

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"if only she can find the courage to trust those she's been taught to hate and fear." why is overcoming prejudice and becoming less racist a matter of courage? this is painting those who would seek to oppress as somehow brave for overcoming their inherent hatred for a group of people that should be viewed as equal to them.

Ryan I believe that in this case it is because the main character is going against family and tradition and that is scary for many. She was taught to hate,…moreI believe that in this case it is because the main character is going against family and tradition and that is scary for many. She was taught to hate, she wasn't born that way, so now she sets her own path that is against what she was taught and what her culture believes.

I am looking at the overall picture of why its hard, and just not one facet of it.(less)

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