Title- The Familiars
Author- Stacey Halls
Series- N/A
Published- 2019
Page Count- 448 pages
Publishing House- Zaffre Publishing
Genre- historical fiction, gothic, feminist
Rating- 4/5 stars
About the Author
Stacey Halls was born in 1989 and grew up in Rossendale, Lancashire. She studied journalism at the University of Central Lancashire and has written for publications including the Guardian, Stylist, Psychologies, The Independent, The Sun and Fabulous.
Her first book The Familiars was the bestselling debut novel of 2019. The Foundling is her second novel.
Taken from Stacey's website.
Plot
Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a noblewoman, is with child again. None of her previous pregnancies have borne fruit, and her husband, Richard, is anxious for an heir. Then Fleetwood discovers a hidden doctor’s letter that carries a dire prediction: she will not survive another birth. By chance she meets a midwife named Alice Grey, who promises to help her deliver a healthy baby. But Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft.
Is there more to Alice than meets the eye? Fleetwood must risk everything to prove her innocence. As the two women’s lives become intertwined, the Witch Trials of 1612 loom. Time is running out; both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.
Rich and compelling, set against the frenzy of the real Pendle Hill Witch Trials, this novel explores the rights of 17th-century women and raises the question: Was witch-hunting really women-hunting? Fleetwood Shuttleworth, Alice Grey and the other characters are actual historical figures. King James I was obsessed with asserting power over the lawless countryside (even woodland creatures, or “familiars,” were suspected of dark magic) by capturing “witches”—in reality mostly poor and illiterate women.
Taken from Goodreads.
Opinions
My reason for picking up this book is because Lancashire is my home county. Despite that, I have never visited Pendle. I know a lot about the witch trials and how they are some of the most famous in the UK. I remember watching a documentary on it when I was about 10-11 years old. So, when in November 2020, I stumbled across a book all about this real event that took place in the county I grew up in, I had to get it. And it's written by a local author! I'm annoyed it took me this long to read it.
Before I get into the specifics, I just want to say that I loved this book. I zoomed through it in four days. There's a part of me that wishes I had now read this in October as despite it being set in March-August 1612, the gothic vibes would be perfect for the Halloween season. I found the story engaging, the writing engaging. Basically, I loved it. I know I gave it 4 stars, but I would still consider this one of my favourite books of the year (so far). If you take one thing away from this blog post, it would be that I love this book and that you should read it.
One of the things I found so compelling was the relationship between Fleetwood (who has an excellent name) and Alice. It felt very real and honest. Despite the fact that they were from different social classes, they both were fierce women in a time when it wasn't really allowed to be one. They had power and were just great. Although we follow from Fleetwood's POV, in a first person POV which isn't my favourite, I did find Alice the more compelling character. The mystery surrounding her at the end was so good. I would love to read more stories where the women are equal and feel real. This has really set the bar for what I like and look for in female relationships in books now. Go Fleetwood and Alice!
I will say that I did find the ending a bit predictable. As it was told from a first person perspective, I kinda knew that Fleetwood wouldn't die during childbirth. I also knew that her child would survive. I cannot believe that the child had to be called Richard because Richard (the father of the child) was horrible. He had an affair, got another women pregnant and yet was made to look like this great character. Richard was bad and baby Richard deserved better.
I have already bought Stacey's other book, The Foundlings, and cannot wait to devour that. I have a feeling that she will become an auto-buy author for me as I enjoy her books and she's from my home county, so I've got to support her. This gothic mystery with witchy feminist vibes will have you not wanting to put it down and will make you mad that women were ever (and in some cases, still are) treated that way. I'd highly recommend looking into the Pendle Witches as they were an interesting bunch.
