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It is quite a deep and dark read. It is intense yet a slow burn at the same time. The story is set not that long ago when women had few rights at work and at home. They were expected to do anything without questioning it or objecting because they could be easily replaced. But, at the same time, women were thought of as fragile and unable to cope with life’s tragedies. Ivy was determined to seek the truth out in the past and present, but could she bear the truth? On the fieldJuly seems to have been designated as white ball month, with enjoyable ODI & T20 series between England and both Sri Lanka & Pakistan. Complete domination against Sri Lanka was spoiled by Bristolian rain (*shakes fist*), but it was the ODI series against Pakistan that was the most satisfying; England had to pretty […] The Hundred: Initial Reaction
The Witchfinder’s Sister – Mind the blog The Witchfinder’s Sister – Mind the blog
I liked it that the story is told alternating between 1888 and 1918. It is beautifully written with touching stories about WWI, which show how much the world has changed between 1888 and 1918. My verdict? A chilling show that links the 17th and 21st centuries in a truly terrifying way – atmospheric sound design takes the production to a whole new level. The story is told from the point of view of Ivy Cardew who in 1888 is the daughter of the local doctor. He is struggling with his own health but carries on looking after his patients. We are introduced to many interesting characters including the family living in Polneath House and their few servants.Told in split timelines, one in 1888-89 and one in 1918-19, we slowly uncover the truths behind what happened in the past and what's happening as a result in the present. Ivy's ready to reveal her secrets, and other players have their own secrets to share with us. I still dream, every night, of Polneath on fire. Smoke unfurling out of an upper window and a hectic orange light cascading across the terrace. I still dream, every night, of Polneath on fire. Smoke unfurling out of an upper window and a hectic orange light cascading across the terrace’.
Play Review: The Witchfinder’s Sister - The London Horror Play Review: The Witchfinder’s Sister - The London Horror
The story shows how women were both powerful and powerless at the same time, more than a hundred years ago, although I know that in some places this didn't change much. In putting Alice centre stage, Underdown has to work out how, without violating period norms, her heroine can discover what Matthew is up to. Thankfully, there is only one episode of overhearing a conversation through the wall, that other trusty standby. Gradually she puts things together; there’s a slow burn of horror, the sense of something huge she is powerless to stop. There’s a chilling twist, indicating that the darkness never really goes away
I absolutely adored the secretive, atmospheric story-line. I often find if plots are gentle in motion, if the writing style isn’t quite ‘up to it’, I become a little bored when revelations take their time to unfold. But not here, I found it so immersive, the gothic feels, dark tension, cleverly haunting reveals, and characters so vivid in my mind, it made for some breathtaking reading. There was a haunting Gothic feel right the way through, in this great piece of historical fiction, together with well expressed emotional content for the two boys who had lost their lives. The grief was handled in a sensitive manner, and was very poignant to read. The author captures the many faces of a country community, from the rich and privileged to the servants below stairs. Very enjoyable! I really wanted to love this book, as the blurb sounded like something right up my alley, but unfortunately I did not. Set almost 400 years in the past, the core themes of this story could apply to any aspect of female life in the 21st century. Even following a period of 28 weeks in which 81 women were killed, with male suspects in every case, women still aren’t being listened to (extra police presence will not make us feel safer) and will routinely get shut down in debates with men for being hysterical or too emotional, even for calmly stating reasonable arguments. Alice is continually treated in this manner by both Matthew and Mary, especially as she digs deeper into what’s been happening in her absence.
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