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

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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. Unfortunately, I found this book very boring. Nothing happens in the plot, and because of ghost-Leah's narration, all of the characters are held at a distance, and I never felt connected to any of them; and they could not carry the story through the many lulls.

Author - Joanne Burn

In hindsight, I thought it helped add her understanding of what really happens. But I mostly found it awkward, confusing and unnecessary. While the premise really triggered my interest, I found the story a bit all over the place. Leah’s odd perspective had little added value and there are a lot of plot lines that are only slowly dealt with. By the middle of the book, it all feels blended into each other and you have no clue to where we’re going. The writing is rich and beautiful and I liked the fantastic descriptions of the healing arts employed at that time, from herbal draughts to bezoar stones. The smells, flavours, flora and potions transport you to this tiny village in the darkest of times. But the story progressed really slowly and I felt my attention waning throughout. The other issue for me was the timehop that was sometimes a little confusing. 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.

Hidden in the Derbyshire Dales, in a hollow where the crags of the Dark Peak meet the hills of the White Peak, is the village of Eyam – an ancient place, settled in Anglo-Saxon times, known by some as ‘the plague village’. I was hoping so much that Mae would make it through the plague and away from her father and I have whizzed through the last chapters as I had to know the end. Of course I can’t tell you but you will find out when you read the book.

Hemlock | The Wildlife Trusts Hemlock | The Wildlife Trusts

What could have been just another book about how witches lived in the 17th century turned out to be quite satisfying. Consuming any part of the plant can lead to poisoning which affects the nervous and respiratory systems and can lead to respiratory failure. Struggling to manage the grief of those around her, she escapes to a remote cottage by the coast where she swims in the winter sea, cooks the forgotten Keralan dishes of her childhood and begins the search for her husband’s lover. Mae woont nog alleen met haar vader, de dorpsapotheker, in het Engelse stadje Eyam nadat haar moeder en zusje Leah allebei zijn gestorven. Mae's vader Wulfric is streng en weet niet dat zijn dochter stiekem bezoekjes brengt aan Isabel, de vroedvrouw van het dorp. Isabel was de beste vriendin van Mae's moeder en vertrouwt Wulfric helemaal niet. Isabel is door hem zelfs al eens als heks bestempeld. En dan dreigt de pest naar Eyam te komen... When Mae makes a horrifying discovery, Isabel is the only person she can turn to. But helping Mae will place them both in unspeakable peril.Isabel shares a mysterious history with Mae's father, and she lives in fear of what might befall Mae while living under his roof. During the story we are also introduced to Isabel, the local midwife who feels a strong attachment to Mae. As Isabel was Mae’s mothers friend she too feels protective of her and is constantly worried for her safety. As a woman in the 1600’s though there is little she can do without causing too much distress on her own family. I adored the relationship between these two women and it was my favourite part of the story. 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…

The Hemlock Cure by Joanne Burn | Waterstones

Baseado em factos reais, a história que nos é contada em “A Cura da Cicuta” é passada na vila de Eyam, entre 1665 e 1666 (período em que Inglaterra se debatia com a peste negra). Também Eyam passará por um período de quarentena com o objetivo de minimizar as consequências da peste. 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.

An intricate, detailed and beautifully written story of the women of Eyam. It’s vivid and poetic, powerfully building tension as their secrets unravel.’