BOOK NOOK; The Familiars by Stacey Halls

The Familiars by Stacey Hall is a novel based upon the Pendle Witch Trials held in Lancashire in 1612.   All the main characters in the novel are based on historical figures from those trials and the author has woven a work of fiction around that framework. The author has a very atmospheric writing style and the tension builds as the day of the witch trials draws ever closer.

Of course, we already know what happened in Pendle in 1612 and the hanging of 10 people denounced as witches, based on the testimony of a young child and daughter of one of the accused,  is infamous here in the North of England.  But knowing the main outcome of the events of that time does not diminish one's enjoyment of the novel.  

In The Familiars the lady of Gawthorpe Hall, Fleetwood,  is desperate to have a child.  Her previous pregnancies have ended in miscarriage and she is determined to do all she can to carry this child full term, thus presenting her husband with the heir he requires of her.

Out in the woods one day she meets a young woman, Alice, who claims to be a midwife and Fleetwood decides to hire her.  Alice is skilled in herbs and healing and a friendship soon develops between these two young women.  That is, until events overtake them and Alice is taken up on a charge of witchcraft and thrown into the dungeons of Lancaster Castle.   

Convinced of Alice's innocence and that she will not be able to bear a living child without her midwife, Fleetwood embarks on a collision course with the male authorities and protocols of the time, as she sets about trying to help her friend and prevent her from swinging as a witch. 

The Familiars isn't spooky or scary, but it is an authentic retelling of historical events and one that sympathizes with the plight of the witches, and indeed, of the powerlessness of women during that precarious period of history, because as Fleetwood herself says in the book "I wouldn't wish a girls life on anyone".   It's a great book to curl up with on a chilly autumn day and the perfect witchy read for October. 

Blessed Be

Marie x

MUSICAL DOLL; Come Little Children...

 I'll take thee away, into a land of enchantment...

BOOK NOOK; Zero Negativity by Ant Middleton

"Adults, increasingly, are acting like teenagers. Teenagers, more and more, are acting like children.  Children are regressing into babies.  There are adults who can barely look after themselves.  They play the victim all the time and think only of me, me, me."p304

I have to deal with infantile adults all the time, whenever I'm working at the practice.  It is annoying and infuriating, but it's not my job to bring them up.  They have to decide to step up and take personal responsibility for their own lives.  Sadly, I know that most of them never will - not because they're not capable of doing so, but because they can't be bothered. It's too much effort.  Too much like hard work.  I wish I could give them this book, but even if I did, they probably wouldn't read it anyway!

Zero Negativity is the final book in Ant Middleton's self-help trilogy.  I had planned to buy a signed copy at his seminar that was due to take place this November, but due to corona virus, it has been pushed back to next year now.  I still have tickets though, so it is something to look forward to.  However, I didn't want to have to wait that long to read his latest book, so I ordered it on Amazon and it arrived yesterday.  I've spent a few happy hours getting into this man's positive head-space and I finished the book today.

Just like his first two volumes, this book is about encouraging people to be their best selves and achieve their goals.  It's a great pep talk and it does act as a bit of a brain-wash, in a good way, because it cleanses away the negative programming that society inflicts on us on a daily basis.  It differs from his other books, because here he admits that his TV hard man image is merely a persona - the leftovers of his time in the special forces, and that he's really a gentle spirited man.  I did feel that this softer side of his personality comes across more in this book than in the first two, which are very much written by the Chief Instructor.  Here the author has a more self-reflective voice and an almost wistful dream of the future.

Another way in which the book differs from the first two is that Ant's wife finally gets to have her say!  I must admit that I have been curious about her from the beginning and I have often wondered what her take is on all this 'life on the edge' stuff he does, not to mention the number of random strangers tweeting their knickers at the man she loves!  Her sections are some of the most heart-warming and we get to see the man behind the persona through her eyes and how his fame has had an effect on their family life.

It's an easy read at just over 300 pages and it is very absorbing and engaging.  I do feel that it fits in well with Ant's earlier books, but I also hoping that this is not his last self-help book, as I haven't quite had my fill of him yet.  I think I'm going to re-read the trilogy from scratch, beginning with book one First Man In.  And Foxy has another new book coming out this month too, so that should keep me going for a bit.  If you like military style self-help, you have enjoyed Ant's earlier books or you simply admire the man or the SAS TV show then I expect you will enjoy reading Zero Negativity.  I've consumed it like a vulture! And I still plan to buy a signed copy when I go to see him on tour next year. I'm so much looking forward to that as I had such a great time at his last seminar in 2018, so I can't wait. In the meantime, I'm going to re-read his trilogy and pre-order new Foxy's book too.

Happy reading!

Marie x