The Hemlock Cure: "A beautifully written story of the women of Eyam" Jennifer Saint, author of ARIADNE

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When Mae makes a horrifying discovery, Isabel is the only person she can turn to. But helping Mae will place them both in unimaginable peril.Meanwhile another danger is on its way from London. One that threatens to engulf them all. . . And meanwhile another danger is on its way from London. One that threatens to engulf them all . . . Mae, the apothecary's youngest daughter, dreads her father's rage if he discovers what she keeps from him: her feelings for Rafe, Isabel's ward, or the fact that she studies from her father's books at night.

The Hemlock Cure by Joanne Burn - Fantastic Fiction The Hemlock Cure by Joanne Burn - Fantastic Fiction

Mae is just reaching puberty, but she is having to hide the signs from her father as she knows he will not be happy and she will no doubt be in for another beating if he finds out. She has tried to be the best daughter she can, running the home following the deaths of her mother and sister but he is never happy. Her father is the village’s apothecary and highly regarded but not many know what sort of a man he really is. He has done some terrible things in his life but he is a very strong believer in God, and in his twisted mind he believes he is following God’s signs. Mae was hoping to follow in her father’s footsteps, even trying to teach herself new apothecary skills but she is devastated Em when her father takes on young Sam as his trainee.It also focusses on the tensions that have been created by the plague. The distrust, and the sense of hopelessness. Not sure if or how you should help your neighbours. For me it didn’t hold my attention like I was hoping it would but I enjoyed it for what it was, a good historical fiction. In a wholly original take on the Eyam story, Joanne Burn's elegant prose, rich in authentic detail, results in a rewarding and timely read.” Most of the secondary characters are based on actual people who lived there at the time, but for artistic licence the author has based the main storyline around fictitious characters. As I wandered through those low-ceilinged rooms, stepping across worm-eaten oak floorboards, I imagined bunches of herbs strung up to dry from the beams overhead, and pictured unusual ingredients – dried earth worms, woodlice soaked in boiled oil, toads and bezoar stones – waiting upon the shelves. This serendipitous visit had gifted me a setting, a nod in the direction of a character or two, but it would be more than a decade before I would begin the process of writing my story – one of ambition and persecution, bravery and belonging.

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Overall, I thought it was a little slow-paced, and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters but still found it an enjoyable, entertaining read. Share this event Save this event: NCA Band 5 Nursing Recruitment Event - Rochdale Care Organisation

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What really captivated me about this was the fact that it's all told from the perspective of Leah, Mae's older, and long dead, sister. I cannot stress enough how well this was done. Leah's character, despite not being able to directly interact with any of the other characters, is so well thought out. She is flawed and sometimes really unlikeable, but altogether human. Isabel shares a mysterious history with Mae's father, and she lives in fear of what might befall Mae while living under his roof. I really liked the layout of this story. We had the main chapters which followed Mae and her story but interspersed were entries from Wulfric’s diary as well as Leah, Mae’s older sister. These diary entries gave not only insight into Wulfric’s state of mind but the events that lead up to both Leah and her mother’s death.

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Many thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review. An intricate, detailed and beautifully written story of the women of Eyam. It’s vivid and poetic, powerfully building tension as their secrets unravel.’ Mae lives alone with her father, the village pharmacist, in the English town of Eyam after her mother and sister Leah both died. Mae’s father Wulfric is strict and doesn’t know that his daughter is secretly visiting Isabel, the village midwife. Isabel was Mae’s mother’s best friend and does not trust Wulfric at all. She has even been branded a witch by him. And then the plague threatens to come to Eyam… Dig out all the plant(s), including the long taproot, (alternatively, glyphosate treatment can be used to eradicate the plant).Like so many other writers, I discovered my love of writing when I was very young. I wrote poetry and short stories as a child and teenager; it’s how I made sense of the world. I was delighted when my teacher in primary school bound one of my stories into a ‘proper book’ and read it to the class at the end of the school day. My first audience! I could not have been happier. People are looking for answers. It's also a time with great political and religious unrest; not to mention what they consider the real threat of witches. Share this event Save this event: We Are Wakefield First Friday Networking 3rd November - Wakefield Trinity I liked the historical accuracy and the in-depth knowledge of herblore and healing at the time, which the story expressed with some passion.

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In a wholly original take on the Eyam story, Joanne Burn's elegant prose, rich in authentic detail, results in a rewarding and timely read." - Sarah Burton This book will hook you in and not let you go until you are done. It's dark and suspenseful and eery; the atmosphere created in this book is like none other. The book is paced in a beautiful way with the story unravelling so satisfyingly. There was not a moment while reading that I was bored. The characters are mysterious and intriguing. This author did an excellent job of keeping the reader interested. The way the POV of Mae was written was also very unique. I loved the use of diary entries and past memories to help slowly unwind the story. I could not have predicted where the story would go in the end, and finally finding out what the title meant was extremely gratifying. Mae, Wulfric's youngest daughter, dreads her father's rage if he discovers what she keeps from him. Like her feelings for Rafe, Isabel's ward, or that she studies from Wulfric's forbidden books at night. But, our focus is upon Mae, the apothecary's daughter and Isabel, the local midwife who is teaching our young protagonist her craft. But pious, controlling Wulfric doesn't want his daughter associating with the midwife let alone befriending her. Wulfric blames Isabel for the loss of his wife and all but deems her a witch. Over the course of the novel we learn that Mae and Isabel have more to fear than just the plague.I could not help but feel for Mae throughout the story. I was constantly worried what was going to happen to her and did not trust her father at all. At points I was almost scared to read on for fear of Mae’s life! This was a slow burning read where all the small events lead up to a dramatic finale. I kept hoping and praying that Mae would finally be free of that dreadful home but I hadn’t quite imagined events to unfold as they did. In a wholly original take on the Eyam story, Joanne Burn’s elegant prose, rich in authentic detail, results in a rewarding and timely read.’ What I discovered, during my research, is that it wasn’t only male herbalists and apothecaries, midwives and ‘cunning women’ who made medicines in 17 th century England. In fact, women at all levels of society in the early modern period, whether rich or poor, were involved in creating herbal remedies of one kind or another for the health and wellbeing of their families and communities. Large houses often had a ‘stillroom’ – a place set apart from the smoky kitchen, where confectionery, preserves, cosmetics and medicines were prepared. It was the woman of the house who oversaw the work of the stillroom, meaning that many gentlewomen worked with herbs too. Mae, Wulfric’s youngest daughter, dreads her father’s rage if he discovers what she keeps from him. Like her feelings for Rafe, Isabel’s ward, or the fact that she studies from Wulfric’s books at night. Interestingly, the novel is narrated by Mae’s sister who has passed away before the events of the novel. It is a fascinating narration choice and one I enjoyed in the moments when it was most relevant. I sometimes found myself forgetting this narration choice and remembering only when the writing specifically reminded me which was sometimes jarring. However, it doesn’t overshadow the novel and for some readers I think this will add depth to the narration.