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I've been trying to find this book for some time now, I read it some 10-15 years ago in a library so it could be a bit older.. It's more so a fairy tale than actual fantasy but still.

It's the well know story of Hansel and Gretel but told from the perspective of the witch, who in this story is good.

The details have become hazy over time but I especially remember her cutting of her own tongue so she couldn't curse the kids, as well as trick the kids so they would throw her in the fire, preventing her from ever hurting them again.
She was trying to protect the children from some curse put on her or some demon inside of her, something along those lines.

Anytime I try to look for this book I end up with search results on the Hansel and Gretel witch hunter series or some fan fiction book on this subject..

Edit: This is a separate (short) book, not part of some collection of stories or fairy tales

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  • Was this a novel, or a story in an anthology?
    – John Rennie
    Commented Nov 15, 2019 at 8:54
  • This was a novel on its own, albeit a pretty short one (~150-200 pages roughly) Added this info to the question as well, thanks!
    – Blub
    Commented Nov 15, 2019 at 8:58
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    Is it any of these? goodreads.com/genres/hansel-and-gretel-retellings
    – Kreiri
    Commented Nov 15, 2019 at 13:26
  • @Kreiri I haven't read it yet so I can't be sure but I think one of those might be it: The Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli! I'm ashamed you found it on such an obvious site while I couldn't find it anywhere.. :) I'll leave this open for a few hours more in case someone else find another book that might be the one but if you put yours as an answer I'll confirm/approve/whatever the term may be.
    – Blub
    Commented Nov 15, 2019 at 13:48

1 Answer 1

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@Kreiri found the book, which is The Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli.

Deep in the woods lives the old witch called Ugly One. All she wants is to forget—that she was once a loving mother and a healer, blessed and powerful within her magic circle, and not a witch, claimed by the devils. Then one day she hears the footsteps she dreads. Then real voices—children's voices. The Ugly One longs to take care of sturdy, sensible Gretel and her young brother Hansel. They are such good children, such delicious, beautiful children. But demons' voices scream in her head: "Eat them!" How can she? . . . How can she not?

Many thanks again, I've been looking for this for quite some time!

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