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The Familiars
by Stacey Halls
Published by Bonnier Books (Allen and Unwin)
ISBN 9781785766145
This is Stacey Hall’s debut book, I’ve read all three of her books, in reverse order.
In this visit back in time, we go to the 1600’s. This is a remarkable story. Although this is a novel, the family we read about did in fact exist and the information about the era is detailed in this outstanding and spell bounding writing.
After reading this book, I could not help think, I’m so pleased I live in the present day and not in the era in which this takes place.
We read about a young woman named Fleetwood Shuttleworth and her husband, Richard, who are part of the landed gentry.
It crosses the class divide of the time, after a chance and surprising meeting with Alice Grey, an accused witch,. It takes place during the time of the well known witches of Pendle Hill in Lancashire, when witches were either hanged (in England) or burned at the stake (in Scotland). A good deal of the story is about the witches.
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Like the other two books, Mrs England and The Foundling, it discusses how women were disproportionally targeted and in some ways, not too dissimilar today.
Expected to be subservient and content to be mistress of Gawthorpe and produce heirs, seventeen year old Fleetwood, pregnant for the fourth time, is not. She is an independent and forceful young woman, perhaps unusual for the times. Once she has set her mind to do something and to correct wrongly accused women, she becomes a force to be reckoned with, despite her husband’s warnings and misgivings and those of his contemporaries.
I could only wonder at the idea of Fleetwood, riding an 80 miles round trip, while heavily pregnant, in a dash to meet a foreboding deadline. The gripping descriptive writing, is a characteristic of Stacey Halls, as I found myself glued to the words on the pages and keep turning, not wanting to put the book down.
After reading the chapter about where the accused witches lived, and Fleetwood’s experience there, it made me wonder. it is quite chilling. The author's descriptions, with the twists and turns make gripping reading.
Relationships are tested, whether it’s the familiar spirits, which is a big part in this book, as is Puck, Fleetwood’s dog, who she rescued. He seems to attack on demand and yet is obedient, adoring and loyal to her. There’s the curious, somewhat cold relationship with her mother and Fleetwood’s loving, but also curious relationship with her husband and a somewhat adversarial relationship with his associates. She needs to be careful so she does not to spoil his prospects, but she is also determined to save her midwife and friend.
It is also interesting to read the names for various refreshments and food of the time.
This book is recommended, as are The Foundling and Mrs England, I'd suggest buying all three by clicking one of the inks below.
This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you Liked this review, Buy me a coffee
