Olga Ravn's 'The Wax Child' explores 17th-century witchcraft trials through a wax doll narrator
Published in Danish by Penguin in 2023, Olga Ravn's novel 'The Wax Child' is a chilling tale set in 17th-century Denmark, centered on the persecution of women accused of witchcraft. The story follows Christenze Kruckow, an unmarried noblewoman who escapes to Aalborg after facing witchcraft charges in 1615. In Aalborg, she encounters Maren Kneppis and engages in 'carding fests,' where spells are performed with Kruckow's wax doll. The under-200-page book is structured in two sections, detailing Kruckow's experiences before and after her accusation, narrated by an enigmatic wax doll. Ravn's earlier work, 'My Work' (2020, translated 2023), addressed motherhood, while 'The Wax Child' delves into historical treatment of women. It was featured in ArtReview's November 2025 issue.
Key facts
- Olga Ravn's novel 'The Wax Child' was published in Danish in 2023
- The story is set in 17th-century Denmark during witchcraft trials
- Main character Christenze Kruckow is accused of witchcraft in 1615
- The novel incorporates historical spells from grimoires dating 1400-1900
- Narration comes from an omniscient wax doll of ambiguous origin
- The book is divided into two parts covering Kruckow's life before and after accusation
- Ravn's previous novel 'My Work' was published in 2020 and translated in 2023
- The novel comprises fewer than 200 pages and was reviewed in ArtReview's November 2025 issue
Entities
Artists
- Olga Ravn
- Christenze Kruckow
- Maren Kneppis
Institutions
- Penguin
- ArtReview
Locations
- Denmark
- Aalborg
- Northern Jutland