The Familiars
13 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by 
earthcaroleanne
from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Thursday, December 5, 2019
earthcaroleanne from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Thursday, December 5, 2019
Welcome to BookCrossing!
Thank you for picking up this book. If you’re new to BookCrossing and find this book and this site (www.bookcrossing.com), please make a journal entry to let me know that this book has found a good home with you. You may choose to remain anonymous or to join.
I hope you'll join BookCrossing (doesn't cost anything to join!) and if you do, please consider using me, earthcaroleanne, as your referring member. When you’ve finished reading this book and are ready to send it on its way again, make a journal entry if you are giving or sending this book to a known person, or a release note if you are leaving it “in the wild” again for anyone to catch. Then watch its journey. You’ll be alerted by e mail each time someone makes another journal entry. And it’s confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free.
Enjoy the site, the book and hopefully the BookCrossing community. If you’re already a BookCrossing member, thank you for picking up this book.
Happy BookCrossings!
Thank you for picking up this book. If you’re new to BookCrossing and find this book and this site (www.bookcrossing.com), please make a journal entry to let me know that this book has found a good home with you. You may choose to remain anonymous or to join.
I hope you'll join BookCrossing (doesn't cost anything to join!) and if you do, please consider using me, earthcaroleanne, as your referring member. When you’ve finished reading this book and are ready to send it on its way again, make a journal entry if you are giving or sending this book to a known person, or a release note if you are leaving it “in the wild” again for anyone to catch. Then watch its journey. You’ll be alerted by e mail each time someone makes another journal entry. And it’s confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free.
Enjoy the site, the book and hopefully the BookCrossing community. If you’re already a BookCrossing member, thank you for picking up this book.
Happy BookCrossings!
Journal Entry 2 by earthcaroleanne at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, December 5, 2019
earthcaroleanne at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, December 5, 2019
I loved the character of Fleetwood and found her narrative to be engaging and believed in her life in Lancashire in 1612. Her world soon changes after discovering a letter, hidden by her husband Richard that another pregnancy could be disastrous for her. Her trust and belief in him is drastically changed. This is an intriguing story of a young girl trying to survive in a time of accusation, hypocrisy, persecution and betrayal. I found myself backing Fleetwood wholeheartedly (loved watching her strength and endurance come through) and felt such rage at the magistrate. Some people are unable to relinquish power and make a final push to gain just a little more notoriety.
I find the witch trials fascinating and this book is based on actual places, people and events. Although this is a work of fiction, I love that these characters were imagined from real people. The book isn’t primarily about the famous trials as it goes on, but more about the women who suffered and the treatment of women at the time in general. There are no spells or creepy rituals as you might imagine. The witchcraft practices they were accused of where nothing more than using herbs as medicines and the many techniques the midwives used at the time. You might think these women were accused of dark magic or worse, but no. That’s what makes this story all the more tragic. However, the Pendle theme lingers throughout. This is a slow build read, but a satisfying one at that.
I find the witch trials fascinating and this book is based on actual places, people and events. Although this is a work of fiction, I love that these characters were imagined from real people. The book isn’t primarily about the famous trials as it goes on, but more about the women who suffered and the treatment of women at the time in general. There are no spells or creepy rituals as you might imagine. The witchcraft practices they were accused of where nothing more than using herbs as medicines and the many techniques the midwives used at the time. You might think these women were accused of dark magic or worse, but no. That’s what makes this story all the more tragic. However, the Pendle theme lingers throughout. This is a slow build read, but a satisfying one at that.
Journal Entry 3 by earthcaroleanne at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 19, 2019
earthcaroleanne at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 19, 2019
Released 4 yrs ago (12/19/2019 UTC) at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending out for the Favourite Book of 2019 Roundabout.
Cross-Patch
greenbadger
Estelle1806
Fifna
dutch-book
Lamilla
Icila
Billbooks
Math-Girl40
Mcsar Canada
Valpete
original-slicey
Dark-Draco
Cross-Patch
greenbadger
Estelle1806
Fifna
dutch-book
Lamilla
Icila
Billbooks
Math-Girl40
Mcsar Canada
Valpete
original-slicey
Dark-Draco
Journal Entry 4 by 
Cross-patch
at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Thank you. Very much looking forward to reading this book!
Journal Entry 5 by Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 4, 2020
Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 4, 2020
I’ve always avoided books that take witch trials as their theme, mainly because the theme is really baseless persecution of women, indeed mainly elderly women considered of no further use to society. I was fully engaged in Fleetwood’s story and was rooting for her and Alice all the way. In many ways it was an old fashioned love and betrayal story much in the mode of Georgette Heyer. Thank you for the chance to share.
Journal Entry 6 by Cross-patch at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, January 4, 2020
Cross-patch at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, January 4, 2020
Released 4 yrs ago (1/6/2020 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to the next participant in the book roundabout of favourite books of 2019.
Journal Entry 7 by 
greenbadger
at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, January 10, 2020
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, January 10, 2020
It's arrived, thank you!
Journal Entry 8 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, February 15, 2020
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, February 15, 2020
Loved this story of the Pendle witches told from a totally new angle - through the eyes of the young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, mistress of nearby Gawthorpe Hall and terrified of losing her fourth pregnancy and being unable to provide her husband with an heir, or of losing her own life in childbirth. By chance she meets Alice Gray, a midwife who uses herbs and other mysterious methods, but soon it's clear that Alice is connected to the women who are accused by the child Jennet Device. Alice's life is in danger, and Fleetwood is certain that Alice is the only person who can keep her and her child alive. This is a brilliant and captivating story, exploring the extremes of poverty and the powerlessness of women at the time.
Journal Entry 9 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, February 23, 2020
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, February 23, 2020
Released 4 yrs ago (2/23/2020 UTC) at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Estelle1806, next in the roundabout.
Just here, thanks!
This was a good read. I liked the story and the relation to nature throughout. Maybe the characters were a bit under-developed, but the fact that they have lived at the time the tale was set is a bonus to the plot...
Ready to go to the next reader now.
Ready to go to the next reader now.
On its way to Fifna, enjoy!
Please let us know when you release it again...
Please let us know when you release it again...
Arrived today, thanks estelle1806, and thank you for the International Bookcrossing Day label!
I found this to be a very engaging story - and what a difficult time to be a woman, whether well-to-do or not. I liked how Fleetwood took matters into her own hand, in so far as she could. She was certainly not one for just sitting at home with her embroidery (absolutely no offence to embroidery intended, by the way), and I really was rooting for her to prevail. Thanks for sharing! I'll now see if I can get to a post office. We're not on total lockdown, so hopefully I'll be able to find something that's open.
Released 4 yrs ago (4/6/2020 UTC) at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to dutch-book.
Journal Entry 16 by 
dutch-book
at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Thursday, April 9, 2020
dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Thursday, April 9, 2020
This book arrived yesterday. An interesting theme, and I look forward to reading this one.
Journal Entry 17 by dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Monday, May 11, 2020
dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Monday, May 11, 2020
I've started this book just after I finished Wolf Hall, which is about the same time period and the same country as this one. At first it was a bit difficult and it couldn't really catch me, but after a certain event in this book it started to pull me in and I have basically finished it in one go.
I've enjoyed it and it will be sent on shortly to Lamilla.
I've enjoyed it and it will be sent on shortly to Lamilla.
Journal Entry 18 by dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Wednesday, May 13, 2020
dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Released 3 yrs ago (5/13/2020 UTC) at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to Lamilla. I hope you'll enjoy this one too.
Received today
Sent only today, sorry for the delay
You've found a travelling book. Hurray!
The book's journey continues by its finder's cooperation and creativity. By making a journal entry on this book, you can add to the book's story as it travels from reader to reader around the world.
Enjoy your reading!
Привет!
Спасибо, что нашли время зайти на сайт и сделать запись в журнале! Напишите, когда и где вы нашли книгу.
Перед тем, как попасть к Вам, она побывала в других уголках света. История ее путешествий записана на сайте, и теперь к ней добавился еще один пункт. Я очень рада, что она нашла нового читателя в Вашем лице.
You've found a travelling book. Hurray!
The book's journey continues by its finder's cooperation and creativity. By making a journal entry on this book, you can add to the book's story as it travels from reader to reader around the world.
Enjoy your reading!
Привет!
Спасибо, что нашли время зайти на сайт и сделать запись в журнале! Напишите, когда и где вы нашли книгу.
Перед тем, как попасть к Вам, она побывала в других уголках света. История ее путешествий записана на сайте, и теперь к ней добавился еще один пункт. Я очень рада, что она нашла нового читателя в Вашем лице.
Arrived yesterday, thank you.
Thank you earthcaroleanne for choosing this book for the roundabout.
I wasn't too keen when I received it but from the first pages I was hooked. I read it without knowing it was based upon a real history event.
I found Fleetwood (what a strange name) very modern and free, all things considered.
The author note was an eye-opening and I read more about the Pendle witches on Wikipedia.
I wasn't too keen when I received it but from the first pages I was hooked. I read it without knowing it was based upon a real history event.
I found Fleetwood (what a strange name) very modern and free, all things considered.
The author note was an eye-opening and I read more about the Pendle witches on Wikipedia.
On its way to Mathgirl40 in Canada.
This book has arrived in Canada. Looking forward to reading it!
I found this novel to be an enjoyable and gripping story, set in an interesting time in history. Thank you, earthcaroleanne, for contributing it to the roundabout.
This book is on its way to mcsar now.
The book is here. I will start soon. Thank you, mathgirl40, for sending again.
The plight of women at the time was truly tragic. I was so afraid for Fleetwood and Alice. This was a very immersive read. Every time I picked up the book, I was quickly transported into the story. Another wonderful book from the roundabout.
Travelling to valpete.
Received today! Will start it ASAP. Merry Christmas everyone!
The Familiars is a fictionalized account of the famous Pendle witch trials, from the point of view of a young noblewoman.
It is 1612, Lancashire, and seventeen year old Fleetwood Shuttleworth, has found a letter addressed to her husband from a doctor, explaining that after three miscarriages, a further pregnancy will kill her. Unfortunately she’s already conceived again, so is devastated that he would keep this from her, and prioritize his yearning for a son over her life. Meeting talented young midwife Alice Gray gives her hope, but soon Alice is caught up in the spider’s web of accusations of witchcraft between terrified local women, encouraged by a malignant ambitious magistrate hoping to raise his profile with the king. Fleetwood may be rich but her only power is her determination to save her friend’s - and thus her own life, from a terrible fate.
This was smoothly written in the first person, so we only get Fleetwood’s perspective. She’s impulsive and reckless and I found it hard to believe that she would’ve been allowed such latitude to ride around the country alone at whim, but I had to admire her perseverance. She herself doesn’t believe in witchcraft - although throughout it’s presence is left ambiguous. In the afterword it’s explained that many of the characters, including Alice, were real, but the relationship between her and Fleetwood is fictional.
It is 1612, Lancashire, and seventeen year old Fleetwood Shuttleworth, has found a letter addressed to her husband from a doctor, explaining that after three miscarriages, a further pregnancy will kill her. Unfortunately she’s already conceived again, so is devastated that he would keep this from her, and prioritize his yearning for a son over her life. Meeting talented young midwife Alice Gray gives her hope, but soon Alice is caught up in the spider’s web of accusations of witchcraft between terrified local women, encouraged by a malignant ambitious magistrate hoping to raise his profile with the king. Fleetwood may be rich but her only power is her determination to save her friend’s - and thus her own life, from a terrible fate.
This was smoothly written in the first person, so we only get Fleetwood’s perspective. She’s impulsive and reckless and I found it hard to believe that she would’ve been allowed such latitude to ride around the country alone at whim, but I had to admire her perseverance. She herself doesn’t believe in witchcraft - although throughout it’s presence is left ambiguous. In the afterword it’s explained that many of the characters, including Alice, were real, but the relationship between her and Fleetwood is fictional.
Off to the last reader in the 2019 Roundabout.
Journal Entry 33 by 
dark-draco
at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
dark-draco at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Oh, this looks like it’s right up my street... looking forward reading it.
Journal Entry 34 by dark-draco at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Friday, February 19, 2021
dark-draco at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Friday, February 19, 2021
So, this was a bit of a 'Meh' book for me. I did read it all the way through, but I can't say I rushed to pick it up at any point. It definitely got better towards the end as the final trial and Fleetwood's labour approached. I suppose, for me, I would have liked it if the witchy bits were more overt, and I got a bit bored by Fleetwood's everyday, tedious life. It only got really interesting once Richard's big secret was discovered.
So, an ok read, but I think I've read better fictional accounts of the Pendle witch trials.
So, an ok read, but I think I've read better fictional accounts of the Pendle witch trials.
Journal Entry 35 by dark-draco at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, June 19, 2021
dark-draco at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, June 19, 2021
Released 2 yrs ago (6/18/2021 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Congratulations! You have found a traveling book.
Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and letting us know what this book has been up to since it was released into the wild. I hope you enjoy reading it, but even if it isn’t your type of thing, then I’m sure there will be someone out there who will love it. This book is now yours, so feel free to keep it. However, I would be grateful if you could leave all the stickers in place and pass it on again once you’ve finished with it – you could give it to a friend, donate it to a charity shop or just leave it lying around somewhere to be picked up again by a total stranger. If you would like to get regular updates on what the book is doing in the future, then why not join Bookcrossing too…it’s fun, friendly and free.
Thanks again and happy reading!
Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and letting us know what this book has been up to since it was released into the wild. I hope you enjoy reading it, but even if it isn’t your type of thing, then I’m sure there will be someone out there who will love it. This book is now yours, so feel free to keep it. However, I would be grateful if you could leave all the stickers in place and pass it on again once you’ve finished with it – you could give it to a friend, donate it to a charity shop or just leave it lying around somewhere to be picked up again by a total stranger. If you would like to get regular updates on what the book is doing in the future, then why not join Bookcrossing too…it’s fun, friendly and free.
Thanks again and happy reading!
Thank you so much for the amazing!!! surprise box of wish granting RABCKS! (This book being one of the 6 enclosed titles.) Did they travel here alone you ask? No! Also a big bundle of labels (always super useful as I now have a LFL), sweeties, party poppers and a Tip-Ex mouse. You do the BEST book boxes! It really brightened up a crappy time. I hope one day I can do the same for you.
