Genre: Historical Fiction / Fantasy
Release Date: March 7th, 2023
Pages: 336
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“Three women. Five centuries. One secret.
‘I had nature in my heart, she said. Like she did, and her mother before her. There was something about us – the Weyward women – that bonded us more tightly with the natural world.
We can feel it, she said, the same way we feel rage, sorrow or joy.’
In 2019, Kate flees an abusive relationship in London for Crows Beck, a remote Cumbrian village. Her destination is Weyward Cottage, inherited from her great Aunt Violet, an eccentric entomologist.
As Kate struggles with the trauma of her past, she uncovers a secret about the women in her family. A secret dating back to 1619, when her ancestor Altha Weyward was put on trial for witchcraft…
Weyward is a stunning debut novel about gender and control – about the long echoes of male violence through the centuries. But more than that, it is a celebration of nature, female power and breaking free.”
My Review:
In 1619, Alta was tried for witchcraft and murder. In 1942, 16 year old Violet wanted nothing more than to be able to do things that women weren’t allowed. Today, in 2019, 29 year old Kate is escaping her abusive, controlling boyfriend.
As these three perspectives unfold, the connections between these three women become more entwined and their lives are mirrors of each other.
On a personal level, I felt a deep connection to these women. As someone who has experienced the type of relationship that Kate is in, I understood her fears and worries. And as someone who was always more of a tomboy growing up, I felt for Violet’s desires to be independent and free.
This is such a heart-breakingly emotional story, while at the same time uplifting and inspirational to all women. Historically, the treatment of women by society has had its dark moments, and still today some of these beliefs are in other ways perpetuated in the shadowy corners of our lives.
Even when hopelessly tragic, it speaks to the truth that we only need to believe in ourselves and what we are capable of. The ferocity of all three of these women encourages readers to confidently navigate our own path in life and create a future that upholds our dreams – regardless of what anyone else thinks about it.
The affinity for nature and all the creatures of the earth is heart-warming and endearing. I love that all these women have reverence and respect for the natural world.
An ode to the power of women, this story illustrates the fear that it has instilled in men throughout history, and maybe even still to this day. The stories of these three women show how we are finally taking our power back and are stronger than ever before, especially when we champion one another.
This story touches on themes that will have you reflecting and contemplating on the world we live in. One such theme that I found particularly intriguing is the advancements in modern medicine. In previous times, there were some seriously crazy treatments and pervasive ideas within the medical community. But at that time, it was considered normal and factual. It begs the question of what more we will learn in a few hundred years and, when they look back on us, what things will they see as ridiculous that we hold as truth? As humans, we just don’t know what we don’t know.
I highly recommend this book! It will truly sweep you away and keep you enraptured within the entire experience. I mean, wow. Unbelievably, because this book is just that good, it is a debut. And I can’t wait to see what this author blesses us with in the future. I’m just blown away by this one and so excited for everyone else to read it too.
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for gifting me an early copy of this amazing story! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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