A wax child or doll is a type of Nordic voodoo doll, used to inflict harm on others. It is made from bee wax, nails, hair, or other parts of the intended victim. This one is created by the unmarried noblewoman Christenze Kruckow instead of a human child, serving as our peculiar, immortal, all-seeing narrator. It tells the story of Christenze and a group of women accused of witchcraft. King Christian IV, notorious for his brutal witch hunts, looms in the background.
Christenze resides in Funen, Nakkeboelle, where Anne Bille and her husband live. Anne repeatedly loses her children shortly after birth. By age 32, she had lost 15 children, becoming increasingly bitter, furious, and violent. During one pregnancy, Christenze secretly gives Anne ewe’s milk with a hidden spider, resulting in the birth of a healthy child that dies the next day.
Anne’s anger turns towards Christenze, who lives an unconventional life, enjoying riding, wine, and reading late at night, and often showing up for dinner in riding boots. Anne accuses her of witchcraft. The king, fearful of women suspected of magic, becomes aware, and Christenze flees.
This novel is a piece of poetic historical fiction about Christenze Kruckow, an unmarried noblewoman accused of witchcraft. It blends storytelling, historical documents, and descriptions of rituals, exploring superstitions, magic, female friendship, and anger towards these women. Nature plays a significant role, almost as if it has a voice.
The wax child, seeing everything, watches as Christenze leaves Funen for Aalborg in 1615. There, she meets Maren, who introduces her to other women. The two women grow close, with Christenze often leaving the wax child with Maren and her daughter Karen.
Among the women is Elisabeth, the priest Klyne’s unhappy wife, who turns on the group, leading to accusations reaching the king. Witnesses describe their supposed witchcraft, including scaring Elisabeth, making a young woman ill, and bizarrely interacting with animals. The wax child, living with Maren, misses Christenze.
Eventually, Christenze, Maren, Dorte, and Apelone are captured and accused. Christenze believes she will be freed due to her status. Maren is the first to be tried, with her daughter testifying against her. Christenze protests based on her nobility, while Apelone’s forced confessions are read.
Despite some believing the accusations have gone too far, the king demands the witches be burned. Maren is burned first, witnessed by her daughter and father. The wax child feels everything, including Christenze’s fear and anger.
Apelone and Dorte are also burned. Christenze is moved to Copenhagen for interrogation and execution. On June 26, 1621, she is executed by sword due to her nobility, with her body and head thrown into a fire. Her severed head speaks to her accuser, Elisabeth.