Slewfoot, or, Hail Satan?
One of my most favorite horror novels of the last several years.
I’ll admit it: When I picked up Slewfoot, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I knew people generally enjoyed it, but I wasn't prepared for a story that subverted itself and its genre in the most delightful ways.
Its the story of Abitha, a farmer's wife in Puritan New England, and how she meets the devil.Â
However, the devil isn't the antagonist. Which for a horror anything, that’s already a major plot twist. If anything, he's one of the protagonists who is there to save Abitha from the real danger: the Puritans.
Because yes, in our journey across the pond, we’re dealing with the epic douchebaggery England exported this way. Thanks, Britain!Â
It’s the beginning of the British Colonies in the Americas. And in many ways, this part of America’s past gets a little brushed over in modern conceptions because on the one hand, modern America wouldn’t be what it is without that colonization. But on the other hand, we began as a way for England and the rest of Europe to deal with its religious zealot problem, and that’s a problem we’re still dealing with in some ways.
For a story about a witch and the devil, the horror draws basically zero of its power from these two figures. If we look at this from a Folk Horror Chain Theory lens, the Skewed Morals link comes straight from the Puritans. Its they who have pretty fucked up beliefs...which no shit. The town is poised to turn on anyone who doesn't submit and conform completely, casting anyone who does not as a witch.Â
Of course Abitha is accused of being a witch. The great irony being that she actually is one. The torture the Puritan's submit her to is brutal and unrelenting. And Slewfoot rightfully points out that if any of these witch hunts had actually produced a real witch, then wouldn't that witch just absolutely fuck their shit up?
Witches were the original scapegoat for fascistic tendencies. So powerful that they must be put to death, while simultaneously being weak enough to be caught and destroyed. Hmm. It’s also a rather convenient way to take that which belongs to others. Oh the irony of coveting thy neighbor’s house, thy neighbor’s wife.
The Puritans in this book are so awful that Brom artfully gets the audience cheering for the devil when he finally embodies his power and, well, fucks their shit up with Abitha’s help. It’s satisfying to see her get her revenge. It’s satisfying to see the Puritans fuck around and find out.
I’m always interested in seeing power overthrown and/or turned on its head, and this one is a masterclass in that. The powerless becomes powerful, and the powerful learn the true limits of their humanity. I would eat this book with a spoon, if I could.
Next Time on Bramble & Bray…
I’m not looking at any specific work, but more of a concept. To honor the season, I’m looking at the meaning of harvest in horror.
Upcoming Fiction…
I’ve got something involving barley coming your way on Sunday for B-Week of the Alphabet Superset. But first I gotta write it. Uh Oh…
This Week’s Discussion
The Puritans really underestimated Abitha. They thought they were punching down when it came to her, but turns out, she was a much heavier weight than they though. How do you feel underestimated by others in a scary sort of way?
Me? I’ve got a mean hook when it comes to tolerating discomfort and Capital-P Problems. I’m generally the kind of person you want around when the going gets tough because I will solve all the problems before I notice I should probably be crying. So I guess invite me along the next time you want to explore a haunted house?