Today I am pleased to be taking part in Zaffre Books' and Compulsive Readers' Blog Tour to celebrate the publication of Stacey Hall's paperback publication of The Familiars.
Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a noblewoman, is with child again. None of her previous pregnancies have borne fruit, and her husband, Richard, is anxious for an heir. Then Fleetwood discovers a hidden doctor’s letter that carries a dire prediction: she will not survive another birth. By chance she meets a midwife named Alice Grey, who promises to help her deliver a healthy baby. But Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft.
Is there more to Alice than meets the eye? Fleetwood must risk everything to prove her innocence. As the two women’s lives become intertwined, the Witch Trials of 1612 loom. Time is running out; both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.
Rich and compelling, set against the frenzy of the real Pendle Hill Witch Trials, this novel explores the rights of 17th-century women and raises the question: Was witch-hunting really women-hunting? Fleetwood Shuttleworth, Alice Grey and the other characters are actual historical figures. King James I was obsessed with asserting power over the lawless countryside (even woodland creatures, or “familiars,” were suspected of dark magic) by capturing “witches”—in reality mostly poor and illiterate women.
'The Familiars' by Stacey Hall is celebrating it's paperback publication and has been chosen as one of the six titles in Richard and Judy's Autumn reads selection for their book club in conjunction with WHSmiths.
I have heard so many great reviews for 'The Familiars' and although it isn't my usual choice of read I was so glad that I did. It is a fantastically written novel, which is set in the 17th century and is set around a young lady who has been unlucky in life, suffering multiple pregnancies which resulted in loss, and now pregnant with another child, which she has already been told will cost her her life. When she meets her midwife, who has promised her a successful birth, she is hopeful but when witchcraft is mentioned by others, another dimension is added and Stacey Hall writes a fantastic novel which looks at the issue of witchcraft and the position of women within society and their persona and the 'tricks' used by society to disrespect them.
Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a noblewoman, is with child again. None of her previous pregnancies have borne fruit, and her husband, Richard, is anxious for an heir. Then Fleetwood discovers a hidden doctor’s letter that carries a dire prediction: she will not survive another birth. By chance she meets a midwife named Alice Grey, who promises to help her deliver a healthy baby. But Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft.
Is there more to Alice than meets the eye? Fleetwood must risk everything to prove her innocence. As the two women’s lives become intertwined, the Witch Trials of 1612 loom. Time is running out; both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.
Rich and compelling, set against the frenzy of the real Pendle Hill Witch Trials, this novel explores the rights of 17th-century women and raises the question: Was witch-hunting really women-hunting? Fleetwood Shuttleworth, Alice Grey and the other characters are actual historical figures. King James I was obsessed with asserting power over the lawless countryside (even woodland creatures, or “familiars,” were suspected of dark magic) by capturing “witches”—in reality mostly poor and illiterate women.
'The Familiars' by Stacey Hall is celebrating it's paperback publication and has been chosen as one of the six titles in Richard and Judy's Autumn reads selection for their book club in conjunction with WHSmiths.
I have heard so many great reviews for 'The Familiars' and although it isn't my usual choice of read I was so glad that I did. It is a fantastically written novel, which is set in the 17th century and is set around a young lady who has been unlucky in life, suffering multiple pregnancies which resulted in loss, and now pregnant with another child, which she has already been told will cost her her life. When she meets her midwife, who has promised her a successful birth, she is hopeful but when witchcraft is mentioned by others, another dimension is added and Stacey Hall writes a fantastic novel which looks at the issue of witchcraft and the position of women within society and their persona and the 'tricks' used by society to disrespect them.
Thank you to Zaffre Books and Compulsive Readers Blog Tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment