5 out of 5 stars
On Amazon UK
On Amazon.com
On Goodreads
On BookBub
How I discovered this book: it was submitted to Rosie's Book Review Team, of which I am a member.
In a Nutshell: 16th Century Scottish Historical (Romance)
I chose this book from the review team list because I've loved looking at the author's marvellous photos of Scotland on her website for some years now; I hoped that anyone so artistic and with such a love for the area in which this story is set would be a fine writer too, though this doesn't necessarily follow, of course—but I'm pleased to say that I was not disappointed.
The Mermaid and The Bear is listed as a historical romance, but it's much more than that. At first, after protagonist Isobell escaped her London betrothal to 'Wicked Richard' and headed for a Scottish castle to work as a kitchen maid, I wondered if the book would be too 'twee' for me; beautifully written and a good example of its type, but I thought it would follow the well-trodden romance novel path of misunderstandings and awkward situations before the lovers come together, and that would be that. I was so wrong! Although the relationship is an important part of the story arc, it is not the sole focus.
Ailish Sinclair's portrayal of 16th century, wild rural Scotland is quite magical. On one recent evening I was curled up in bed, head on cushions and lights dimmed, and I found that I was revelling in every description of the countryside, the day-to-day life at the castle (particularly the Christmas revellry; this made me long to be in the book myself!), the suggestion of ancient spirituality, and the hopes and dreams of the characters. Suddenly I realised that I'd gone from thinking 'yes, this is a pleasant enough, easy-read' to 'I'm loving this'.
From about half-way through, the book becomes very dark indeed, as the witch-hunts of the time rear their gruesome head; there is a strong sense of good versus evil. This is where, for me, it became even more interesting.
Much of the locals' dialogue is written in the Scottish dialect, but this is not overdone, so it didn't become irritating to read at all—it just added authenticity. I liked how Isobell's inner thoughts and conversation took on the Scottish words and phraseology gradually, over time, as would be the case. Her development over the course of the story is so realistic, and the Laird of the castle is the sort of character you can't help falling a little bit in love with. The notes at the back add interest to the whole novel, too.
If you adore historical fiction, especially set in the 16th century, I'd recommend this book without hesitation. If you're a bit 'hmm' about historical romance, I would still recommend it, without a doubt—and this is coming from someone who usually runs a mile from any variation on the romance genre. Go buy it. Now.
5 GOLD stars
Non-fiction: British witches throughout history
On Amazon UK (published on July 30) HERE
On Amazon.com (not available until Nov 2) HERE
On Goodreads HERE
This an incredibly well researched and cleverly put together book, and fascinating with it. Accused is a series of studies of just a few of the witches of our history, each one explored in great depth, giving details not only of the accusations levelled against the so-called sorceress in question but also her life. Each paints the picture of the woman and the time in which she lived, providing insight into the social structure of the time (such as how a woman might be demoted from the title 'Mistress' to that of 'Goodwife'), the effects of economic instablity, fears of divine retribution ~ and, sadly, how easily events could be manipulated by those higher up the social strata for their own benefit, as in the case of Joan Flowers. She was accused of causing the deaths of the two heirs to the title Earl of Rutland, but others suggest that the deaths were caused by the man who sought the hand in marriage of their sister, who would, thus, bring the lands with her as a dowry if her brothers were no more.
Willow Winsham talks of the swimming of witches, the ducking stools, the rarity of burning in this country, and of corsned, something I hadn't heard of before, which involved the 'witch' eating consecrated bread to see if she could swallow it. Then there is Isobel Gowdie and her Scottish coven, the case of Welsh witch Gwen fetch Ellis, and possibly the most well-known English witch, Jane Wenham.
The book moves into the 18th century, when belief in witchcraft itself was outlawed, leading to more support for anyone, like Susannah Sellick, who was accused ... and then to the case of spiritualist Helen Duncan, in 1944, who strikes me as being little more than a charlatan aiming to make money from people who had lost loved ones in the war. However, one thing I noticed about this books is that, to a certain extent, Ms Winsham leaves the reader to make up his or her own mind as to whether or not certain whisperings of the supernatural kind might have been present at any one time. I liked that.
I read the hardback edition of this book, which is definitely worth getting. The middle includes many pictures of the locations mentioned, of the indictments of the witches of hundreds of years ago, and the art and literature of the time based on the belief of the existence of witches. Finally, the author suggests that in these modern times, other groups of people have risen to be victimised in the place of the witch, people who, in the eyes of the common man, threaten 'to consume all that is held dear'. In other words, nothing changes....
A stunning and admirable piece of work, highly recommended.
I received a review copy of this book from the publishers, Pen and Sword books, the receipt of which has not influenced my assessment.
5 out of 5 stars
17th century historical fiction/witch hunts
On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE
On Goodreads HERE
What a wonderful chance find this book was! I've been wanting to read something about the Fens in the 17th century, when the ancient way of life of the Fenlanders was washed away to satisfy the greed of those in power, since reading something about it in a book by Norah Lofts, years ago, but I've never been able to find anything. Then I chanced upon this book via a random passing tweet (on Twitter).
The book starts with the very end of the old way of life, when the people of Ann Swinfen's fictional village celebrate old traditions, the bringing in of the May and the beating of the village boundaries, for the last time ~ except that they don't know that the way they live is about to be consigned to a memory of a golden, uncomplicated past. Mercy, the heroine of the novel, says "Why can we not be left to ourselves, here in the Fens, to grow our food, and rear our animals and mend our houses, troubling no one? We need no courts or kings or parliaments." Something that might be echoed by many communities before and since....
As the dreaded 'drainers' move in, life becomes more treacherous for Mercy, her family and friends every day, and is made harder still by unclement weather, failing harvests, and the presence of Matthew Hopkins, witchfinder general.
This book is so well researched, I relished every word, every description; if only there were pictures, too! All the characters are so alive (I particularly liked eel fisherman Nehemiah, and soldier George), the story is a real page turner and I was completely engrossed, doing that 'just one more chapter' at three in the morning thing. It taught me a lot about a subject, time and place that fascinates me, too. I have just downloaded the sequel, and will be beginning it as soon as I have posted this review.
Highly, highly recommended; historical fiction at its best.
Review of the sequel, BETRAYAL, HERE
5 out of 5 stars
Novelette, 17th century, witches
Please note: it's FREE on Amazon UK and .com, but a couple of people in European countries have said it's not free for them. But it's still only 99p or equivalent, and easily worth it!
On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE
On Goodreads HERE
WHY haven't I read this before? It's the novelette (I think) length prequel to the novel The Black Hours, which I enjoyed very much; both can be read as stand alones. Anyway, it's great! I loved it, and couldn't resist going on to read the start of The Black Hours again, afterwards.
Lizzie and her mother, Maggie, eke out a meagre existence in their village, not far away from London, in the 17th century. Maggie is a healer; some say she is a witch ~ especially the Pendles, who are the most important family in the community. Unfortunately, young Sam Pendle and Lizzie are in love...
This story is absolutely gripping. It starts off quite slowly but really builds up, and the atmosphere and tension is so well illustrated. So dark, I'm sure I felt every beat of Lizzie's heart. Alison Williams has such an understanding of the time. At one point the story travels to London, and that part was so well described I might have been watching it rather than reading it. As for the end....
Best of all, it's FREE ~ what are you waiting for?! (Please see above as might not be free in all countries)
THE BLACK HOURS reviewed HERE
4.5 out of 5 stars
Historical, witchcraft, 17th Century
Originally posted on Amazon UK HERE on 10 August 2014
On Amazon.com HERE
I read this book over a period of a couple of days, which is a good sign - I was reading when I should have been writing!
I don't know much about rural life in this period of history, or indeed about the witch hunts of the time, but I reckon you can tell by the way The Black Hours is written that Ms Williams certainly knows her stuff - there's a piece in the back of the book that describes her research, and I'm glad to see she's writing more books about the ordinary people of the time; I shall be first in the queue.
My absolute favourite genre is historical fiction that teaches me more about a period, and this certainly ticks those boxes. The characterisation is excellent, as is the description, and the whole novel is very well structured indeed; no boring bits to skip read, not too much information to process all at once, etc etc. It shows so clearly how dangerous ignorance can be, and how easily people can be manipulated by those with cunning and the desire to impose their views and beliefs on others - nothing changes!
If you like intelligent, easily readable historical fiction, and are not put off by grim reality and 'earthy' description, I am sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did. Recommended
The novelette length prequel, BLACKWATER, is permanently free ~ I've reviewed it HERE
