Bewitched: A New Translation

A Gothic Masterpiece of Passion, Mystery, and Supernatural Terror

In the windswept Norman countryside, where ancient superstitions run as deep as Catholic faith, a darkness has taken hold of the village of Blanchelande. At its center stands a figure both revered and feared: the Abbé de la Croix-Jugan, a former Chouan warrior turned priest, his face bearing the terrible scars of revolutionary warfare.

When the pious and beautiful Jeanne le Hardouey begins visiting the reclusive la Clotte-a woman shunned by all decent society-whispers of witchcraft and forbidden influences spread like wildfire through the village. But it is Jeanne's inexplicable transformation, her growing obsession with the mysterious abbé, that will shatter the fragile peace of this rural community forever.

What readers will discover:

• A haunting tale of forbidden passion set against the backdrop of post-Revolutionary France
• Richly atmospheric Gothic storytelling that rivals the masters of the genre
• Supernatural elements woven seamlessly into historical reality
• Unforgettable characters wrestling with sin, guilt, and redemption
• The tragic collision between ancient faith and dangerous desire

As Jeanne's fate becomes increasingly entwined with that of the enigmatic priest, the villagers can only watch in horror as their worst fears manifest. Some say it is the work of the devil himself. Others whisper of curses and spells cast in the shadows of the Norman countryside.

But when the church bells of Blanchelande ring out their nine fateful strokes, the true horror is only beginning...

"A masterwork of psychological terror and supernatural dread" - From one of France's greatest masters of Gothic literature

Perfect for readers of classic Gothic fiction, historical horror, and atmospheric literary fiction. This haunting tale of passion and damnation will linger long after the final page.

Originally published in 1854, this new translation brings Barbey d'Aurevilly's chilling masterpiece to English readers in all its dark glory.