Mary Sharratt

Hildegard von Bingen is probably one of the most fascinating figures of the Medieval era that we know about.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It offered an intimate look into the life of a fascinating character. However, I felt that the main character was not Hildegard of Bingen that I know about from the historical sources.

I felt that Mary Sharratt wrote for a particular audience who wanted Hildegard more subversive than mystical, more a feminist than a Christian nun. In reality, she could have been all these things to an extent, but the way Sharratt portrays her seems anachronistic.

If only there was more emphasis on the mystical, religious experience, that would make Hildegard more authentic to me. In this book, her faith was described more like background noise, than something that she was wholeheartedly celebrating in everything she did.

Also, some things felt like forced dramatic elements: the depiction of Jutta as the "bride of death", her brother as sexually abusing her and sapphic feelings between Hildegard and her fellow nun.

That aside, the first part of the novel was especially poignant. The life of an anchorite is described in such great detail. It was very moving, terrifying really.

So, for me, this is a 3.5 stars read, rounded up to 4 because it did hold my attention to the end, despite its flaws.… (meer)

A fictionalized retelling of the Pendle of The Witch Trials of 1612, inspired by true events. Sharratt’s Pendle is a town where Grandmother Bess and Granddaughter Alizon live below the poverty line. Locals suspect them of bad things happening to them because they are poor and vulnerable. To feed their small family, Bess provides healing, herbal remedies, and fortune-telling. Her craft is also being taught to Alizon and her neighbor Anne. The situation worsens as a magistrate manipulates Alizon into admitting to witchcraft.

Towards the end of the book, I wasn’t sure what I felt.

It explores the interesting idea of a thin line between religion and superstition, but does not provide a real conflict between the two. The book's treatment of accused women's witchcraft cannot captivate.

The author never explains the familiars. They seemed unnecessary to the plot. I found this story to be very relational, and I enjoyed the emphasis on friendship, family, and loyalty. Also, the author handles the arrests and trials of the suspected witches. She presents an accurate portrayal of the legal system in that era in her text.

The bad news is that it wasn’t the right choice for me.

You can see all my reviews here… (meer)