"Set in 17th-century Lancashire, this character-driven debut sizzles with sorcery, forbidden love, and the patriarchal prejudice of a God-fearing village."
Abundant in atmosphere, well-rounded characters, and dreadful dilemmas, Cunning Women is a smoothly readable, 1620-set treat for fans of The Essex Serpent, The Leviathan, The Binding and The Familiars.
Though ten years have passed since the infamous Pendle Witch Trials that saw ten women hanged as witches, an atmosphere of paranoia still permeates the region. This is especially so in the Lancashire fishing village where the “cunning women" of the desperately poor Haworth family live as outcasts, offering herbal remedies that are in high demand, but considered the lowest of the low, for the women’s salves and balms are believed to be the work of witches.
Sarah Haworth lives a tormented existence. While part of her aches for a normal life, especially when it comes to her younger sister, “the girl with the stormy eyes and sharp tongue” also longs to know the extent of her powers. Amidst this vividly evoked internal maelstrom, Sarah meets Daniel, a farmer’s son who finds himself captivated by her, as she is by him. They see each other for who they really are, not tainted by the prejudice of others. But when a magistrate arrives to investigate a furry of odd deaths, Sarah is in the firing line, and their love is threatened, along with her very life.
Part evocative family drama, part historic thriller, Cunning Women tells an emotionally engaging tale of prejudice, superstition, revenge and love.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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A gripping story of forbidden love set during the early seventeenth Century with the backdrop of public fear and hysteria against those who follow supernatural healing and witch craft. A real page turner!
The story is set in the early seventeenth century and focuses on Sarah, daughter of an impoverished supernatural healer and spell maker. Sarah has been brought up to believe that she has been marked out and also has the gift to be a 'cunning woman' but she and her family struggle to make a living as they are ostracised from the rest of the village due to the general hysteria against them. A chance encounter with Daniel, son of a wealthy farmer, as he impresses Sarah with his gift to calm horses, marks the beginning of their forbidden and secret love affair. The arrival of a new magistrate to the village and his determination to wipe out witchcraft after a spate of unusual deaths, makes their situation all the more perilous but they are helped by the local Parson and make plans to escape.... Read Full Review
A truly atmospheric and engaging story written around a blossoming love story and set in the fragile and hysterical setting of early 17th century puritan England
The beginning of the book put me in mind of The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory and the start did make me think it was going to be quite witchy, dark and twisted but it turned out to be a much more gentle story overall. There is a depth of mystic that lurks at the back but the author didn't follow that path as strongly as I thought she might.
Instead it tells of a tentative, growing love story between the young girl of the family and the son of the local farmer. The daughter has been brought up to believe that she has been specifically chosen to live a life of darkness and follow in the footsteps of her mother but gradually she sees a way to break away from those beliefs.... Read Full Review
Cunning Women is a story of the fears and risks of communities in the times when healers, especially women, were accused of witchcraft. It convincingly describes the hysteria and dangers that these fears can arouse.
Set in Lancashire in 1620, just a few years after the nearby Pendle witch trials, Cunning Women is the story of Sarah and Daniel, from the poorest and the richest families in their community. Sarah’s family are cunning folk, they are healers and beggars, distrusted and feared by most. They live in extreme poverty in the hills beyond the boundary of community. Daniel’s family are wealthy, the owners of the only farm in the village. Falling in love and knowing they will never be allowed to marry, they create a plan which will make Sarah into a suitable bride for Daniel who will be accepted by his father.... Read Full Review
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