Her Kind
The gripping story of Ireland’s first witch hunt
by Niamh Boyce
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Pub Date 4 Apr 2019 | Archive Date 24 Jul 2019
Penguin Books (UK) | Penguin Ireland
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Description
The eagerly awaited new novel from the award-winning author of No 1 bestseller, The Herbalist ('The most entertaining yet substantial historical novel since Joseph O'Connor's Star of the Sea' Irish Times)
Inspired by a true story, Her Kind is a tense, moving and atmospheric re-imagining of the events leading up to the Kilkenny Witch Trial of 1324.
1324, Kilkenny.
A woman seeks refuge for herself and her daughter in the household of a childhood friend.
The friend, Alice Kytler, gives her former companion a new name, Petronelle, a job as a servant, and warns her to hide their old connection.
In the months that follow Petronelle learns that in the city pride, greed and envy are as dangerous as the wolves that prowl the savage countryside. And she realizes that Alice's household is no place of safety.
Once again, Petronelle decides to flee with her daughter. But this time she confronts forces greater than she could ever have imagined and she finds herself fighting for more than her freedom ...
Praise for The Herbalist:
'Niamh Boyce's compelling female characters push against the rigid social parameters of 1930s Ireland, yearning for the light of the outside world, which comes in the shape of a stranger trading in herbs, cures, complications and danger' Dermot Bolger
'An elegant morality tale about the inescapable strictures of women's lives ... Her publisher describes her as "a dazzling new voice". I cannot disagree' Sunday Times
'A vividly imagined tale of love, lust and longing ... a compelling read with a cathartic ending that deserves a wide readership. It remains authentic and moving to the end' Sunday Business Post
'Boyce's subject matter may be dark, and she treats it with the seriousness it deserves, but she writes with a lightness of touch not often seen in the genre ... just as the readers of The Herbalist share the women's fear as we read, we share their wonder and excitement as well ... hugely impressive and wonderfully assured' Irish Times
'There's a lot going on that is slowly revealed and the writing is beautiful ... a serious new literary talent' TV3
'Comparisons to Edna O'Brien and Pat McCabe are more than justified. That said, Boyce has a unique voice and sensibility, one that's entirely her own' Image Magazine
'A powerful plot full of betrayal, morality and love ... Not only is this a book that will keep you captivated, it will remain with you long after you've read the last words and closed the cover' Country Living
'She has a real lightness of touch and it's a wonderfully told story' Marian Finucane, RTE
'A riveting story that electrifies and dazzles' Writing.ie
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781844884339 |
| PRICE | £12.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 320 |
Featured Reviews
Rebecca A, Reviewer
Her Kind is a novel which can be compared to the tapestry so often referred to in the novel itself. Various threads of stories and characters come together, interweave and eventually paint an inevitable picture. Woven around historical fact, the story however is one which could take place (which elemental alterations) even now.
The inevitably of the story is that you suspect how it will end, ever before you reach the climax, not because the story isn't complex enough, but the gist of the story is an age-old, familiar one. It doesn't ruin the story, the journey to get to the end is what makes this novel so enjoyable. A Gentle tale for the most part, the undercurrent of distrust, worry, suspicion and hysteria which runs through and comes to a climax late on keeps the reader interested.
The alternating viewpoints are a useful narrative tool, however I do feel Petronelle would have sufficed fine as the individual narrator and it wouldn't have changed the story too much.
To say this novel is based around the theme of magic is too simple ; it is a novel of medieval Ireland, of everyday life, of women and how society treats them.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC to review.
Vikki P, Book Trade Professional
There seems to have been an increase of late in the amount of books written during a time where accusations of witchcraft were rife. I really enjoy books set during such periods, and am particularly enjoying the feminist perspective on the topic.
Her Kind was a gripping read, drawing me into the character's lives and allowing an insight into the time period. A brilliant writer and absorbing storyline.
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