The Familiars is a wonderful exploration of histories perceptions of women - notably of those women who are deemed to be “witches”, namely as the result of societies hierarchical need for power. This novel really transported me back to 1612, to the era of The Pendle Hill witch trials & I powered my way through this book, fuelled by a hunger for these women to achieve some sense of justice.
Fleetwood is an endearing 17-year old girl, who longs to give her husband an heir, but she is also naive to the ways of the world around her. On meeting Alice, she entrusts the survival of herself and her unborn, to her. Alice stands accused of witchcraft & child murder, leading Fleetwood to become inexplicably caught up in the Lancaster witch trials.
The friendship of these women, along with Fleetwood’s determination to prove Alice’s innocence is empowering. The narrative is beautiful...Stacey Halls sure has a way of bringing historical fiction to life. The character development is fantastic - I found myself really fighting Alice’s cause alongside Fleetwood & despairing at the injustice that these women are facing at the hands of men. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of class & the hierarchy of society at the time - as all was experienced through Fleetwood’s young eyes.
I loved this book. Pardon the pun, but it was magical. A true feat of historical fiction!
Fleetwood is an endearing 17-year old girl, who longs to give her husband an heir, but she is also naive to the ways of the world around her. On meeting Alice, she entrusts the survival of herself and her unborn, to her. Alice stands accused of witchcraft & child murder, leading Fleetwood to become inexplicably caught up in the Lancaster witch trials.
The friendship of these women, along with Fleetwood’s determination to prove Alice’s innocence is empowering. The narrative is beautiful...Stacey Halls sure has a way of bringing historical fiction to life. The character development is fantastic - I found myself really fighting Alice’s cause alongside Fleetwood & despairing at the injustice that these women are facing at the hands of men. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of class & the hierarchy of society at the time - as all was experienced through Fleetwood’s young eyes.
I loved this book. Pardon the pun, but it was magical. A true feat of historical fiction!