The Lights Go Out in Lychford

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-lights-go-out-in-lychford-by-paul-cornell/

This is the fourth book in the Lychford series, where once again the village is under attack from hostile magical forces and the three women who have become the central characters of the series have to try and stop it. It’s lyrically done, with the old world’s natural crumbling being given extra momentum by the external threat; characters float in and out of different stages of awareness – there’s a sympathetic portrayal of dementia – and it all comes across beautifully. Quite a short book but it packs a lot into its 162 pages.

I enjoyed this sad but hopeful story. It includes the effects of dementia and will be poignant for many.Paul Cornell does not shy away from including real life issues in his stories.

This story brought me to tears. The second time Paul Cornell did that to me.

One of the Lychford witches is suffering from dementia, but has to hang on long enough to stop another assault on the town. If anything, it’s a little too easy in its portrait of dementia, where magic can help the sufferer at key points.

This story was sad and at the same time full of hope. This particular Lychford coven story is my favorite yet.

[I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.]