The second novel by Canadian-born American author Rivka Galchen, is based on historical events and presents the legal proceedings against Katharina Kepler —the mother of the famous German scientist named Johannes—, who was unjustly accused of witchcraft in the year 1615.

For Cristian Uribe Moreno

posted on 15.4.2023

ICanadian writer Rivka Galchen (1976) tells us an incredible story in the novel Everyone knows your mother is a witch (Everyone knows your mother is a witch2021), published in Buenos Aires in 2022 by Fiordo Editorial, with a translation by Daniela Betancur.

Thus, the story is based on real facts and presents the legal proceedings against Katharina Kepler (1547 – 1622), mother of the famous scientist Johannes Kepler (1571 – 1630), accused of witchcraft.

The North American narrator has investigated the case and the result is this brilliant tale which not only expands the case for the reader, but also depicts an age of ideas and customs that seem very distant for that time: the prevalence of a religious culture that he subjugated his followers, and especially women, in a Europe that had just emerged from the Middle Ages.

Thus, occult sciences, superstitions and ignorance are present, which were the perfect breeding ground for abuse and manipulation.

The story takes place in Leonberg (Germany), in the 17th century, when Governor Lukas Einhorn initiates legal proceedings against Katharina, accusing her of witchcraft. Accusation brought by her neighbor and ex-friend Ursula, who denounces her for giving her a potion that hurt her.

From that moment a cause began which Katharina at first considered ridiculous. But slowly he grows, reaching unsuspected boundaries that she cannot control. And like a Kafkaesque trial, everything Katharina says or does now drives her deeper and deeper.

The novel has several merits in itself, showing that its author, when it comes to presenting the facts, does so with a skill and ease that makes one forget how complex and difficult it is to create a fiction set a long time ago. centuries.

an independent woman

For this reason, the first virtue that stands out is the use of language. Given that the exposed facts are 400 years old, reviving a mode of verbal expression that is only in the historical archives seems like a colossal task.

But already in the first chapters the work of recreation in the voices of the characters is noticeable, a speech that feels alive, with references and sayings of the moment. His characters come to life exclusively, so the temporary distance is not felt at all.

Another remarkable element is undoubtedly the different layers in which the text is written. Katharina speaks, but she is not the one who writes, because from the beginning she says that she is illiterate, so to write and read she has to resort to others.

The character who helps her in this task is her neighbor Simón, with whom she has been friends for years. Relationship forged in the reading of the letters he writes from the missives that have come to him, mainly from his children. It is a mediated voice, at a time when women are deprived of representation and voice.

Added to this are the dialogues of the various accusers and witnesses who parade in front of the court. In addition to letters from different characters who begin to intervene directly and indirectly in the process. At one point they sound like a polyphonic novel, whose main voice is that of Katharina, recreated by Simón.

And here is the last great merit of the novel: the character of Katharina. She is a widow who raised her children alone who are now adults and have their own family. She lives alone in her house with her cow Manzanilla, with whom she has a very special relationship.

During the narration, she is presented as an independent, intelligent woman, endowed with a very subtle sense of humor, whose existence, so exceptional for the time, arouses the mistrust and the envy of different people. . They are the ones who weave a fabric of lies amplified by rumours, obscurantism and religious intolerance.

Some accuse her of using witch concoctions, this one of making a goat walk backwards; this one, to touch a leg that had paralyzed over the years; another, of wanting to desecrate a grave.

And while misfortune hangs over Katharina’s life, she does not lose her integrity and faces her enemies and calamities, leaving a testimony seen as a light of common sense amidst the darkness of time.

She even indulges in a few comments about the books that sound like the author’s own irony: “I am amazed at all the expense and effort put into the useless task of the books. Each party bans the books of the other party. It is pure vanity” (p. 199).

Times when wickedness prevails

The moment the narrative is framed provides a sample of the change in mentality that occurs. These are the beginnings of modernity and scientific theories take precedence over religious or mystical explanations. And here the figure of Johannes Kepler was one of the outstanding figures of this cultural struggle that took place in the heart of Europe.

However, false testimonials to damage the reputation of women were still very much in vogue. Blaming them for crop failures, wars or any misfortune that befell the cities was normal at the time.

The lies and slander were proven by the prison and torture that the defendants had to undergo to testify to their innocence. And when they were found guilty, they were burned at the stake.

Basically, Rivka Galchen is describing something that is no different from what is happening today. Years ago, technological development heralded a new era as information and knowledge were made available at the click of a button. However, what seemed like a fruitful period for building informed societies ended up being a nightmare.

The same technology that would make us freer is being used by a few to manipulate large segments of society into believing everything they see on their small screens. In the age of fake news, the ability to step in and create information, images and videos is the order of the day. And the scope of this only grows over time.

A very similar context to when Katharina was charged. Perhaps the author leaves the testimony of an evil which has never disappeared and which from time to time emerges with force. Times when meanness prevails, offering scapegoats to the deceived masses, as they did to women centuries ago.

***

Christian Uribe Moreno (Santiago, 1971) studied at the Instituto Nacional General José Miguel Carrera and holds a degree in Hispanic literature and a master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of Chile.

He is also a teacher in secondary education of language and communication, graduated from Andrés Bello University.

Passionate about literature and cinema, poet on occasion, he published in 2017 the book Verses and faults.

Christian Uribe Moreno

Outstanding picture: Rivka Galchen.