Introduction
Grady Hendrix, the acclaimed author behind My Best Friend’s Exorcism and The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, returns with another spellbinding horror novel, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. This latest work blends his signature blend of nostalgia-infused horror with a piercing examination of societal repression, female agency, and the power of storytelling. But this is no simple tale of witches and spells—it’s an unflinching look at the systems that have historically sought to control young women and the ways they have fought back.
The Premise: A School for the Forgotten
Set in the sweltering heat of 1970s Florida, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls follows Neva, a fifteen-year-old girl sent away by her father to a Home for Unwed Mothers. The Home, outwardly a place of rehabilitation and secrecy, is in reality a cruel institution that forces its inhabitants into compliance, making them give up their newborns for adoption and erasing their pasts. But Neva and her fellow inmates begin to uncover a different kind of history: the lingering presence of past “wayward girls” and the possibility that the oppressive power of the Home might be countered by something older, deeper, and more supernatural.
Themes: Horror, Power, and the Weight of History
Hendrix is a master at using horror as a vehicle for social commentary, and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is no exception. The novel explores:
- The Horror of Real-World Oppression – Before the supernatural elements even take center stage, the Home itself is a house of horrors. From forced labor to emotional manipulation, it represents a historical reality for thousands of young women who were institutionalized for breaking the rigid moral codes of their time.
- Female Power and Witchcraft – As Neva and her friends uncover secrets buried beneath the Home’s strict rules, they begin practicing witchcraft—not just as an act of rebellion but as a means of survival. The novel examines witchcraft as both a literal and metaphorical reclaiming of agency, drawing parallels to real-life historical oppression of women accused of being witches.
- The Supernatural as Metaphor – As in Hendrix’s previous works, the supernatural elements are deeply intertwined with psychological and social struggles. The “magic” in the novel may or may not be real, but the power it represents is undeniable.
A Unique Narrative Structure
One of the novel’s most compelling aspects is its structure. Hendrix divides the story into weeks, marking the progression of Neva’s pregnancy and the intensifying grip of the Home’s authority. The novel also incorporates historical quotes, excerpts from fictionalized “witchcraft manuals,” and diary entries, immersing the reader in a multi-layered narrative that blurs the line between history, myth, and personal experience.
Why Witchcraft for Wayward Girls Stands Out
While the novel carries Hendrix’s signature dark humor and sharply drawn characters, it leans more heavily into psychological horror than some of his previous books. If How to Sell a Haunted House was about literal ghosts, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is about the ghosts of institutionalized cruelty, the lost voices of forgotten women, and the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced.
The book will appeal to fans of The Handmaid’s Tale, Plain Bad Heroines, and Mexican Gothic, but its distinctly American horror roots and 1970s cultural backdrop give it a flavor all its own.
Conclusion: A Must-Read for Horror and Historical Fiction Fans
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is more than just a horror novel—it’s a powerful story of survival, sisterhood, and defiance against a world that seeks to erase those who refuse to conform. Whether you come for the supernatural chills or the historical deep dive, Hendrix’s latest work is an unforgettable experience that will leave readers questioning how much of the past still lingers in the present.
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you up at night—not just because of its scares, but because of its haunting truths—Witchcraft for Wayward Girls belongs on your shelf.
