I am not usually a fan of historical fiction that is set before the Victorian period but the beautiful cover of this book and the blurb caught my attention and I do not regret picking this up. It is set in the time of the Pendle Witch Trials and the characters have a basis in real people living at that time. It is the story of the friendship between Fleetwood and Alice, her midwife.
I thought that the book really captured and portrayed the paranoia and danger of the time. Women who didn't fit into societal norms were viewed with suspicion and fear, particularly those who didn't marry and those who were skilled in herbal medicine. Even Fleetwood, married to a wealthy and influential man, is at risk because she cannot produce an heir.
I found myself immersed in the dark and almost (at times) magical story. It was so well written that it had me railing against the injustice dealt to women at that time. An excellent read.
I thought that the book really captured and portrayed the paranoia and danger of the time. Women who didn't fit into societal norms were viewed with suspicion and fear, particularly those who didn't marry and those who were skilled in herbal medicine. Even Fleetwood, married to a wealthy and influential man, is at risk because she cannot produce an heir.
I found myself immersed in the dark and almost (at times) magical story. It was so well written that it had me railing against the injustice dealt to women at that time. An excellent read.