The Wax Child by Olga Ravn and translated by Martin Aitken is an exceptionally well written and compelling novel. I'm impressed with the translator's skill in creating successful poetic adaptations of what I imagine must have been very challenging from Danish because this is a mesmerizing long poem. i put it beside Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson and By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept by Elizabeth Smart, Robert Kroetch's The Hornbook of Rita K as brilliant contemporary books that are both fiction and long poem. i love the queerness and feminism in this book, along with the historical accuracy. listen to Ravn's conversation with David Naimon on Between the Covers to learn of the lengths she went to ensure she was telling the story of women whose voices were erased from history. i read the Wax Child aloud to my husband while he made us lunch. it was a riveting experience over several days. we deliberately drew out the time we spent reading but the book is hard to put down. it is a true page turner. you will smell every burning. so vivid and visceral and in the moment is this tale of women's strength and feminity and solidarity the patriarchal power which seeks to destroy it but cannot truly eradicate it or obliterate the voice of women . the Wax Child speaks on in the voices of women past, present and future. this is a must read. especially at this moment in time . you will read chilling similarities to the misogyny of today.

thanks to Book*Hug Press for publishing the first Canadian editions. Book*Hug continues to be a champion of brilliant work in translation, for which I am truly grateful. this is an essential feminist and queer work. thank you, Olga. thank you, Martin. thank you,.witches.