(That mission actually forms a relatively small portion of the novel, and because we are seeing events from Sogolon’s perspective, it is not necessary to read the first novel, “Black Leopard, Red Wolf,” first.) Sogolon is seemingly immune to his powers, and when she attracts his attention the narrative opposition which drives the book - and shapes her life - falls into place, leading directly to the ill-fated mission with Tracker, and beyond. Her life is guided by her involvement with the Aesi, a chancellor to the king, with the power to destroy memory, to eliminate anyone from existence by removing all memory of them. This, along with a caustic wit, a foul mouth, and a powerful sense of herself persevere, even when memory fails. Sogolon is always quick to point out, however, that she isn’t actually a witch, that the term itself is a way of victimizing women and maintaining male power, singling out women for harrassment, violence, and murder.Īlthough she isn’t a witch, Sogolon is supported and protected - and isolated - by a mystical power she doesn’t understand and can’t control. And if toe fall off, she will run on heel, and if heel fall off, she will run on knee, and if knee fall off, she will crawl.” When she does escape, it is the beginning of an odyssey that will include time as a thief, a victim of sexual abuse, a ward of a disgraced former courtier, the confidante of a princess, a mother, a prisoner, a hermit, and, ultimately, the Moon Witch, an avenging angel serving out justice for women harmed by men. “She is going to flee, crawl out of this hole and run and never stop running. Readers first meet her “in the dream jungle … not a dream, but a memory that jump up in my sleep to usurp it.” She lives in a termite hill, imprisoned by her three brothers, who blame her for their mother’s death in childbirth, and she dreams of escape. “Moon Witch, Spider King” is a largely chronological account of Sogolon’s life, which spans more than a century. While Sogolon accuses him of murdering the child, Tracker suggests his only regret is that he didn’t kill her.
And to say her account differs from Tracker’s is both to be expected, and a colossal understatement.
The old woman, the witch, is named Sogolon James’ breathtaking new novel, “Moon Witch, Spider King,” is her story. I know the old woman brings you different news.”
He tells an inquisitor, “The child is dead. Early in the book, Tracker, who is imprisoned following the failure of the quest, casts blame on the witch.
The novel’s protagonist, Tracker, was hired to find a young boy, joining up with a ragtag crew including Leopard (his shape-shifting confidante), a giant, another mercenary, and a witch. Marlon James’ 2019 novel “Black Leopard, Red Wolf” (the first novel in the Dark Star trilogy) chronicled an ill-fated quest.
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