Elizabeth Lee (6)

“Observe your womenfolk for wantonness above their usual failing, watch for the meeting of covens without a man to give spiritual strength. You must keep an attentive eye for secret knowledge of herbuse, the mark of the Devil upon the skin, for these are the signs of Wickedness”

Set in Lancashire, England during the 1620’s, Cunning Women is a debut historical fiction novel of love, loss, superstition and fate from Elizabeth Lee.

Sarah Haworth remembers a time before her father was show more swallowed by the sea, when her mother was looked upon kindly by her neighbours, and sought out for her healing tinctures and potions, but now, each morning, Sarah wakes and frantically searches her younger sister’s body for a sign that the devil has marked her as a witch during the night, as she and her mother are marked by the red stains on their skin. Sarah’s greatest wish is that Annie be spared her own inevitable fate, and one day escape their tiny, derelict home on Plague hill to lead a normal life, like the villagers below who shun them.

During the reign of King James, a cunning woman, one with knowledge of cures and medicines, as well as charms and curses, was condemned as a witch, though in small villages, they were still often secretly called upon for aid. Lee sets her story amongst this climate of fear and superstition, in which Ruth Haworth, left destitute and vulnerable by her husband’s death, attempts to eke out a living for herself and her three children.

When she was twelve, Sarah learnt from her mother that she too is a cunning woman and as such an ordinary life as a wife and a mother is not hers to have. It’s a destiny Sarah does not want, actively rejecting her mother’s lessons, focusing on the wellbeing of Annie, the sister gifted to them by the woods. Sarah is a sympathetic character, barely fourteen her life is one of deprivation and humiliation, yet she clings tightly to a slender thread of hope that things can change.

Lee introduces romance into the story when Sarah encounters the local farmers son. Daniel is inexplicably drawn to Sarah despite the Haworth’s reputation, and the grudge held against her family by his father. I think Lee develops the relationship quite well within the demands of the story. As love blooms between the couple, Sarah begins to imagine that a new life is with her grasp, until tragedy threatens to rip it away.

It takes a little while for the narrative to gain momentum, but suspense is woven into several threads, and when one snaps it increases the tension among the others. There were a few elements in the plot that I didn’t expect, and the ending was somewhat of a surprise too.

I’ve read a few books set in this period with similar themes recently, and I think this story compares well. Cunning Women is a bewitching and atmospheric tale. show less

Set not long after the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, this tells the love story of Sarah Haworth, who is marked as a witch, Daniel, a farmer’s son, and their hope for a better future together.

Cunning Women is quite a slow burner of a read. It gets off to a leisurely start and then the action begins to pick up from the middle of the book. It’s beautifully written and quite dark in its composition. It’s very atmospheric and occasionally put a shiver down my spine. It’s written in show more alternating voices, that of Sarah in the first person and Daniel in the third person. Sarah’s voice is so very believable and I felt for her and her family. It really brings to the fore the ignorance of people in this era. I can thoroughly recommend this engrossing and eerie story to those who enjoy their books on the darker side! show less

1620, Lancashire Sarah Haworth lives with her mother, brother John and sister Annie in a small hamlet abandoned since the plague. Sarah's mother makes potions and cures and is known as a cunning woman. Fear for the family is always not far away as they have to take care as they can be accused of witchcraft. Daniel is a farmer's son who meets Sarah and they both know that their relationship cannot be.

I really enjoyed this book. The story followed Sarah and Daniel and what happens to them show more both.

What I enjoyed was following Sarah and her family trying to survive in turbulent times. The village with it's superstitions and how they shun a poor family. Then Daniel comes into the mix and there is a romance plodding along through the story.

The first half of the book sets the scene, introducing the characters, the good and the bad. When I knew there was going to be a romance I just hoped that it wouldn't spoil the story too much.

I felt the second half of the book was the best as this is when the story starts to speed up and becomes very interesting. I was really invested in the characters and wanted that happy ending for them.

The story is dark in places and doesn't lose the witchcraft theme, the romance isn't too much as to take away for me what the story is about. The book reminded me and gave me the feel of Philippa Gregory before she went onto to her Tudor books. Really enjoyed this book. show less