Overview

Hex is set in Edinburgh on a single night in December 1591. Geillis Duncan waits in a dark cell for her execution, accused of witchcraft after torture and false confession. As she reflects on what has been done to her, she is visited by Iris, a woman from the future. Through their conversation, the story moves between past and present, showing how fear, punishment, and control repeat across time.

Writing & Voice

We found Jenni Fagan’s writing intense and direct, with a strong poetic rhythm. The language is spare but powerful, keeping the focus tightly on Geillis’s thoughts and body. The voice is urgent and emotional, drawing us into the cell and refusing to soften the violence of what is happening.

Characters

Geillis is fully realised as a young woman facing death, frightened but clear minded and defiant. Iris acts as both listener and reminder that the future still carries the weight of these crimes. Their exchange feels intimate and purposeful, grounding the story in shared witness rather than distance.

Themes

The novella explores power, misogyny, and punishment. It looks at how women are marked as dangerous when they do not fit accepted roles, and how systems of violence justify themselves through fear. We felt the book makes clear that the witch trials are not just history, but part of a wider pattern that continues.

What Worked

• Tight focus the single setting and short time span give the story urgency.
• Emotional force Geillis’s voice is raw and compelling.
• Clear political intent the connection between past and present is sharply drawn.

Minor Quibbles

• The short length leaves little space for wider historical context.
• The poetic style may feel demanding for readers who prefer a straightforward narrative.

Final Thoughts

Hex is a fierce and unsettling novella that forces us to sit with injustice and remember the women who were silenced.

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5