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David McK (3705 KP) rated Just William (Just William #1) in Books

May 15, 2021

The first in Richmal Compton's classic 1920s comedy series, about a young child who causes chaos wherever he goes, all the time whilst thinking that he is helping.

Yes, it's very much a product of its time - complete with clear distinction between the Upper, Middle and Lower classes and, yes, this particular entry (the very first) is really more a collection of short(ish) stories rather than having an over-arching plot but, for all that - and once you get into the right frame of mind - there is a reason these are enduring stories!

(Oh, and if you want to see the impact William has had on English literature? Try Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch and tell me you don't spot the similarities ...)

Kudos

Amy Wolfs (521 KP) rated The Familiars in Books

Oct 6, 2019

The Familiars

Stacey Halls | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Thriller

8.5

(8 Ratings)

Book Rating

Historically accurate (1 more)

Overall plot

Some character development a bit lacking (1 more)

Verbiage hard to grasp

It's a good book, but a bit of a struggle

The book is set in the 1600’s and depicts a young lady, Fleetwood, who has had the misfortune of loosing 3 pregnancies, and is pregnant with her third. Worried she is unable to sustain a pregnancy, after finding a letter to her husband stating it could kill her, she turns to a mysterious stranger for support.

Although not historically accurate in terms of the characters story, the book is set around the time of the Pendle Witch Trials in 1612. Some of the characters themselves are named after real people of historical significance. The relevance of this, is that her mysterious stranger / employed midwife becomes an object of suspicion herself.