PROFESSOR HEX VS. TEXAS MEN

In Wolfe’s paranormal novel, all the men in a Texas city fall under a curse from a woman trying to teach them a lesson.

In Amarillo, Texas, in 2023, TV news anchor Holly Hernandez is 10 weeks pregnant when she falls down while out on a run. The accident results in a miscarriage, which, in turn, causes one of the hospital’s doctors to report her for what he believes is a self-induced abortion. After Holly is arrested, her mother-in-law summons eight friends to perform a ritual with her, seeking help from the Mother of All. Their actions bring the mysterious Professor Hex to town—a Harvard University women’s history professor who seeks to punish men for their wrongs. After hearing Holly’s story, the professor asks her for a chance to teach the city’s men a lesson. Holly is taken aback by the professor’s odd request, which includes talk of Lucifer, but she pretends to agree to it: “If it gets you out of here, sure, please, goddess, teach the men a lesson.” Shortly thereafter, all the city’s men suddenly become pregnant. These men, including the judge and lawyers in Holly’s trial, are forced to battle against the state’s strict reproductive laws. Meanwhile, Professor Hex must deal with the unexpected appearance of a son she thought she’d lost, as well as the threat of his father, Orion—also known as the devil. While Wolfe presents a satire on timely, real-world issues, readers may feel that the abundant misandry among the characters is too heavy. Wolfe clarifies things after a few people accuse Professor Hex of hating men, since the professor’s response implies that she only dislikes those who lack certain important qualities: “No, I don’t hate men,” she says, shortly before noting her own son’s “thoughtfulness, kindness, strength and courage.” The ending, though, will be a bit confusing for those who are hoping for a better explanation of the fate of a major character.

A relevant but unsubtle magical satire.