I've read a fair amount of historical fiction in my time and whilst it isn't my genre of choice, I do enjoy dipping my toe in...and The Swift and The Harrier by Minette Walters definitely delivers on all fronts. Firstly, and most importantly it's not about Henry VIII, I'm not a Tudor hater, but there are so many books about the Tudors that it's always good to explore a different period of history.
It’s 1642, Britain is divided between the Royalists, supporting the King’s divine right to rule and the Parliamentarians, who support the people's right to have a say in their fates. Jayne Swift is a physician, who has chosen neutrality in the midst of civil war and will treat any and all.
She meets William Harrier, Lady Alice Stickland's footman, for the first time as she dashes to Dorchester to treat her cousin Ruth's desperately ill baby son. A year later she is responding to a request to treat Lady Alice, now held captive in her own house by Royalist Dragoons and William is posing as her brother to keep her safe...William is a man of many guises, and Jane presumes that he's a Parliamentarian spy.
Jayne travels all over Dorset, treating those in need and finds herself in some dire predicaments, including running the hospital in Lyme Regis when it is under siege from Royalists and still walking the line of being a brilliant doctor, that she isn't entitled to call herself...because she's a woman.
Walters choice of protagonist is strong and thought-provoking, but also likeable and relatable, even in the midst of a civil war five centuries ago. Her research shines through, with true reflection of the impact of civil war on all and she takes what is often considered to be one of the not so sexy eras of history and brings it to life brilliantly! There is no preaching or lecturing, but there is reality, wit, humour, action, drama and just a little romance!
I couldn't say no to this book and I highly recommend you don't either!
It’s 1642, Britain is divided between the Royalists, supporting the King’s divine right to rule and the Parliamentarians, who support the people's right to have a say in their fates. Jayne Swift is a physician, who has chosen neutrality in the midst of civil war and will treat any and all.
She meets William Harrier, Lady Alice Stickland's footman, for the first time as she dashes to Dorchester to treat her cousin Ruth's desperately ill baby son. A year later she is responding to a request to treat Lady Alice, now held captive in her own house by Royalist Dragoons and William is posing as her brother to keep her safe...William is a man of many guises, and Jane presumes that he's a Parliamentarian spy.
Jayne travels all over Dorset, treating those in need and finds herself in some dire predicaments, including running the hospital in Lyme Regis when it is under siege from Royalists and still walking the line of being a brilliant doctor, that she isn't entitled to call herself...because she's a woman.
Walters choice of protagonist is strong and thought-provoking, but also likeable and relatable, even in the midst of a civil war five centuries ago. Her research shines through, with true reflection of the impact of civil war on all and she takes what is often considered to be one of the not so sexy eras of history and brings it to life brilliantly! There is no preaching or lecturing, but there is reality, wit, humour, action, drama and just a little romance!
I couldn't say no to this book and I highly recommend you don't either!