The characters of The Familiars are exceptionally well conceived and the rich historical detail makes this a thoroughly real read. Reeling from this discovery, Fleetwood also learns things about her husband's life outside the home that guides the narrative of the first half of the book. To make things all the more potentially devastating, Fleetwood has discovered a doctor's letter which advises her husband Richard that she will die if there are any more attempts to conceive. Married at 13 (don't forget this was an everyday reality for early modern women), and three miscarriages later, Fleetwood has enlisted Alice's help to deliver a healthy baby. Drawn from real-life figures, Hall's novel tells the story of Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a 17-year-old pregnant noblewoman who finds herself caught up in the trials when her midwife, Alice Gray, is accused of witchcraft. Magic was used to supress, villainise and even murder women. A fictionalised account of the Pendle witch trials in 17th-century Lancashire, The Familiars is an insightful account of the brutal way women were treated by a patriarchal society heavily influenced by magic and the supernatural. A must-read novel.Stacy Hall's debut novel, The Familiars, casts a spell on the reader. Ultimately it raises the question: Was witch hunting really just women hunting? “A rich and atmospheric reimagining of a historical period rife with religious tensions, superstitions, misogyny and fear.” - The New York Times Book Review “An intricate and sensitive portrayal of a brave, tenacious young girl carving her place in the world. Set against the real Pendle witch trials, this compelling novel draws its characters from historical figures as it explores the lives of seventeenth-century women. With both their lives at stake, Fleetwood must prove Alice’s innocence.

And Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft. Even woodland creatures or “familiars” are thought to be dark companions of the unholy. But a witch-obsessed frenzy sweeps the countryside. Alice Gray claims she is a local midwife and promises to help Fleetwood deliver a healthy baby. Devastated, Fleetwood wanders the estate grounds, where she catches a young woman poaching. Anxious to produce an heir, she is distraught to find a letter from her physician that warns her husband she will not survive this pregnancy. Fleetwood Shuttleworth, the mistress of Pendle Hill’s Gawthorpe Hall, is with child. But in a time of suspicion and accusation, to be a woman may be the greatest risk of all. “Assured and alluring, this beautiful tale of women, witchcraft and the fight against power is a delight.” -Jessie Burton, New York Times –bestselling author In 1612 Lancaster, England, the hunt for witches has reached a fever pitch . . .

The familiars book