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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I liked this book a lot and 75% of it was genuinely creepy and tense to me. However, *spoiler* the end was extremely anticlimactic. It seems to me you can do more with a character who slips people hallucinogenic drugs/poisons them and then breaks into their homes (not to mention abuses animals) than just marry her happily off to a local farmer.
If you like books about the quiet English countryside, enchanting houses, and the power of love and friendship, Thornyhold will be right up your alley.
Thornyhold tells the story of a young woman who has never felt that she belongs anywhere. Neglected by her parents, bullied by her classmates at boarding school, and unsure of the ways of the heart, she has only ever felt comfortable with her mysterious Aunt Geillis (whom our heroine is named after). Though she has only met Aunt Geillis a handful of times, Gilly feels a a kinship with her through their love of the natural world. When Aunt Geillis dies and leaves Gilly a house in the secluded countryside, she leaps at the opportunity to start anew.
At Thornyhold, Gilly discovers an innate skill for herbalism and white witchcraft, and quickly attracts attention of all kinds from her curious neighbors. The cast of characters is small but it suits the theme of the book. There's Agnes, the rival witch, and her son Jessamy; the reclusive writer Christopher John and his son William who welcome Gilly with open arms and hearts; and the free-spirited cat, Hodge.
There are a few moments of tension between Agnes and Gilly, but otherwise the story is driven by Gilly's search to understand herself and her aunt. Add in a dash of romance, a hint of mystery, and Thornyhold presents itself as a timeless read that I easily gobbled down in a day or two.
I absolutely adore Mary Stewart's writing. Her descriptions are gorgeous and prosaic, and I could picture myself at Thornyhold, smelling the herb and flower gardens, feeling a cool breeze on my face, and listening to the quiet sounds of the country all around me. I spent a semester in England during college and Mary Stewart has beautifully captured the land in all its essence.
If you're looking for a book with excitement and drama, you might not find Thornyhold to be to your liking. But if you're like me and simply need an escape from the strange reality in which we currently live, I think Thornyhold will be your cup of tea.
Thornyhold tells the story of a young woman who has never felt that she belongs anywhere. Neglected by her parents, bullied by her classmates at boarding school, and unsure of the ways of the heart, she has only ever felt comfortable with her mysterious Aunt Geillis (whom our heroine is named after). Though she has only met Aunt Geillis a handful of times, Gilly feels a a kinship with her through their love of the natural world. When Aunt Geillis dies and leaves Gilly a house in the secluded countryside, she leaps at the opportunity to start anew.
At Thornyhold, Gilly discovers an innate skill for herbalism and white witchcraft, and quickly attracts attention of all kinds from her curious neighbors. The cast of characters is small but it suits the theme of the book. There's Agnes, the rival witch, and her son Jessamy; the reclusive writer Christopher John and his son William who welcome Gilly with open arms and hearts; and the free-spirited cat, Hodge.
There are a few moments of tension between Agnes and Gilly, but otherwise the story is driven by Gilly's search to understand herself and her aunt. Add in a dash of romance, a hint of mystery, and Thornyhold presents itself as a timeless read that I easily gobbled down in a day or two.
I absolutely adore Mary Stewart's writing. Her descriptions are gorgeous and prosaic, and I could picture myself at Thornyhold, smelling the herb and flower gardens, feeling a cool breeze on my face, and listening to the quiet sounds of the country all around me. I spent a semester in England during college and Mary Stewart has beautifully captured the land in all its essence.
If you're looking for a book with excitement and drama, you might not find Thornyhold to be to your liking. But if you're like me and simply need an escape from the strange reality in which we currently live, I think Thornyhold will be your cup of tea.
This is a character driven story told from the point of view of Gilly, a young woman who after the deaths of her parents, inherits a mysterious house from her mother’s cousin. This cousin, Geilis, believed to be a witch by her small English village, also passes on her cat, rooms of herbs and cures, and a mysterious reputation.
Gilly is more or less modeled after Jane Eyre. A young girl who experiences a bleak, poverty stricken childhood and then is sent to a school run by rather cruel caretakers, there are a lot of similarities. I admire her for working very hard to get over her childhood mistreatment and working to carve a place of her own.
There are two main differences though. First off, this novel takes place in post WWII England, which was a very different time. Additionally unlike Jane, Gilly has a fairy godmother in her cousin Geilies. This cousin not only befriends her and provides for her education, but also wills her Thornyhold, her mysterious and isolated home in the north of England.
A lot of detail is centered on Thornyhold itself. There are detailed descriptions of the house and grounds, and while it makes it a little easier to visualize, it definitely slows down the story and takes too much attention away from what Gilly does. However the history of the house is very interesting, but the book doesn’t cover as much as I would like.
You could almost describe the book as magical realism. While there aren’t that many fantastical elements, there is a lot of mystery and folkloric influences. It appears as though anything that’s happens that could be deemed “magical” has completely logical explanations. Still, it does leave the reader to wonder.
As far as romance goes, there really isn’t much of it. That’s where the novel differs from a Jane Eyre retelling. Apart from an infatuation that’s free of any angst and the like, it’s not prevalent. Gilly is completely self sufficient and more than that, completely content in her own company. WE LOVE TO SEE IT!
Atmospherically while Stewart’s non Arthurian books are usually gothic/mystery/ romances, Thornyhold is basically a cottagecore lovers perfect novel. If you love a pastoral setting, and old houses with lots of plants and animals, you would absolutely adore this book. It’s a light-hearted read that’s quick and will put you in a restful mood. It’s not a fast paced read by any stretch of the imagination, and if you’re looking for action you may want to look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a quiet escape for a bit this book will do you good!
Gilly is more or less modeled after Jane Eyre. A young girl who experiences a bleak, poverty stricken childhood and then is sent to a school run by rather cruel caretakers, there are a lot of similarities. I admire her for working very hard to get over her childhood mistreatment and working to carve a place of her own.
There are two main differences though. First off, this novel takes place in post WWII England, which was a very different time. Additionally unlike Jane, Gilly has a fairy godmother in her cousin Geilies. This cousin not only befriends her and provides for her education, but also wills her Thornyhold, her mysterious and isolated home in the north of England.
A lot of detail is centered on Thornyhold itself. There are detailed descriptions of the house and grounds, and while it makes it a little easier to visualize, it definitely slows down the story and takes too much attention away from what Gilly does. However the history of the house is very interesting, but the book doesn’t cover as much as I would like.
You could almost describe the book as magical realism. While there aren’t that many fantastical elements, there is a lot of mystery and folkloric influences. It appears as though anything that’s happens that could be deemed “magical” has completely logical explanations. Still, it does leave the reader to wonder.
As far as romance goes, there really isn’t much of it. That’s where the novel differs from a Jane Eyre retelling. Apart from an infatuation that’s free of any angst and the like, it’s not prevalent. Gilly is completely self sufficient and more than that, completely content in her own company. WE LOVE TO SEE IT!
Atmospherically while Stewart’s non Arthurian books are usually gothic/mystery/ romances, Thornyhold is basically a cottagecore lovers perfect novel. If you love a pastoral setting, and old houses with lots of plants and animals, you would absolutely adore this book. It’s a light-hearted read that’s quick and will put you in a restful mood. It’s not a fast paced read by any stretch of the imagination, and if you’re looking for action you may want to look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a quiet escape for a bit this book will do you good!
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love a good gothic novel but don't love the dark themes that so many newer gothics carry. I really enjoyed Thornyhold because, while the story does contain a bit of witchcraftiness, it's seen to be a negative, even an ungodly, thing and the heroine keeps a pure heart. It's a simple story---a novella, really---and was a refreshing short read during a busy few days.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
This was a delightful little booked filled with witchcraft, old houses, and love. I must read more from Mary Stewart!
