They always say to never judge a book by its cover, but the cover was what drew me straight away to 'The Familiars' by Stacey Hall. Its beautifully intricate and whimsical design is in keeping with the story that follows - it tells the tale of Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a young girl, married and pregnant, who is determined to carry her third child to full term and not suffer another traumatic stillbirth. She enlists the help of Alice Grey, a young midwife, and the two strike up an unlikely friendship.
Set in 1612, this story is set against a backdrop of suspicion, a time when to be a woman was to be a second-class citizen. Especially those women who were deemed to be dealing in witchcraft. The Pendle Witch Trials are a fascinating period in a history, and 'The Familiars' uses real historical figures to tell its compelling and enthralling tale. This novel raises many questions about the rights of women in the 17th-Century, and is an amazing debut novel.
Set in 1612, this story is set against a backdrop of suspicion, a time when to be a woman was to be a second-class citizen. Especially those women who were deemed to be dealing in witchcraft. The Pendle Witch Trials are a fascinating period in a history, and 'The Familiars' uses real historical figures to tell its compelling and enthralling tale. This novel raises many questions about the rights of women in the 17th-Century, and is an amazing debut novel.