BelEdit Book Reviews
Blue Hawk is an immersive and gripping historical novel. Set in Gloucestershire in the 17th century, it recounts the life of Joan, a textile worker’s daughter. Joan is intelligent, creative and hardworking, but her life is a struggle. Her many burdens include a hapless father who squanders the family’s money by making poor business decisions and succumbing to drink, a husband who means well but lacks her intelligence and nous, a feckless sister, and, of course, being a woman. To rebuilt her father’s legacy, Joan teaches herself the art of creating textile colours from local plants, with help from a nearby woman.
I love historical novels that focus not on royalty and grand events but on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people. Blue Hawk is a totally immersive read that plunges the reader into Joan’s life, from the dreary humdrum of her work to the highs of achieving success in her business. It celebrates female tenacity and ingenuity.
There is an ever-present threat of being accused of witchcraft, mainly because of her jealous sister’s gossip. It never really materialises but it serves as an effective way to communicate the sense of dread that might have been experienced by any woman in that time and place who strived to succeed in business on their own. Violence, or the threat of it, is never far away, be it from a father, a husband or a stranger, while gossiping neighbours or condemnation by church authorities represented a constant risk of social ostracism, or worse.
Highly recommended for any readers who love to lose themselves in stories of women’s lives.
Thanks to the author, publisher @DeixisPress and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
#NetGalley #bookreview
You might also like: Weyward | Emilia Hart