A compelling historical story set in 1500s
This is a beautifully captivating story. It is full of mystery and drama.
It was very atmospheric and the characters were not unlikeable.

This novel had a very interesting premise because it’s focus was on witchcraft. However, there were many graphic and disturbing scenes that made my reading uncomfortable. Martha was a very hard character to like and often made choices that I did not agree with. The best feature in the novel was its setting because it was very atmospheric. Thus, the novel was well-written but was not for me.

A beautiful story, which is well written, drawing you into the story. The language is beautiful and so descriptive. The characters are solid and interesting. I look forward to seeing more from this author.

I This is my second book by Eleanor Porter and that one 'The Good Wife' I really enjoyed, so I came into this book with just as many great expectations. I ended reading this with mixed feelings, I neither loved it nor hated it, I fall somewhere in between, definitely more on in the liked it camp though.

I was surprised that I was instantly taken with this book, I loved the sound of the back blurb I have a deep fascination with this era especially when it coincides with witches and free-thinking women who are charged with being something they are not just because they choose to use their brains and that is exactly what happens to Martha in this story.

The research which has gone into the story is exemplary, Ms Porter has put so much of her heart and time into the story which is very clear to see from reading, it's richly detailed, at times shockingly detail's as there are some quite harrowing and haunting scenes which will open your eyes as tho what women in the 16th century had to endure, but its's very knowledgeable and insightful.

I think what mainly put me off was how slow it was, if the pacing was brought up a notch I would have enjoyed it a whole lot better than I did, but despite liking a good 90% it was the feeling that I was dragging my feet on the journey that I remember most about it, which is a real shame as this has got so much to love about it.

This story is set in Elizabethan England in the late sixteenth century when religious persecution was rife and witchhunts common. Martha is a young woman raised by her grandmother and father. Educated, intelligent with independent ways that make the villagers' distrustful of her. After her grandmother's death, there is no one to protect Martha from her father's drinking, and she is vulnerable to the dangerous, pious priest and the villagers' superstitions.

Martha experiences coming of age in a dangerous world with little sympathetic support and much superstition. The story is claustrophobic and immersive, as the reader experiences the danger, superstitions and treachery of this historical period from Martha's point of view.

Authentic, often unlikeable characters draw the reader into this story. Martha is easy to empathise with, and you want her to survive.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I really enjoy reading historical novels and I am fascinated by the witch trials that took place – both in England and America. However, I am finding books few and far between that really absorb me in this time period: often they are rather dry depictions of this time and do not capture my imagination. Alas, this was the case with Porter’s novel.

This book feels like it was written hundreds of years ago, rather than in 2020. I found that Porter’s narrative style is considerably heavy-going and wordy. The text felt dense and I did not get a sense of pace nor action. From the first few chapters I struggled to engage with the story, but hoped I could adapt to Porter’s style. However, this never happened and instead I drifted through the book with little engagement or interest.

I think it is the writing style that really deterred me. The blurb and plot itself is exactly to my tastes. The persecution of Martha and how she escapes the judgement from those around her is just what I was seeking. Yet, Porter’s depiction did not seem to convey this too well. I felt like I was reading more of an academia piece of writing over historical fiction.

It is clear that Porter has done her research on this period. I think it will suit fans of historical fiction but the book needs to be approached with determination and grit – similar to a classic like Austen or Dickens! I’m not asking for a young adult story, but I would have wanted something more engaging and exciting; I could not find it in this narrative.

This is the beginning of the series. The novel does end on an intriguing cliff-hanger but I am going to have to leave it a while before I attempt the sequel. Although just slightly curious to see what happens next, I think I need to build myself up to Porter’s writing style again before I embark on the next adventure. Alas, this book did not appeal to my reading this time.

With thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this a really well written story that was hard to put down. I recommend for all fiction readers

I was drawn to this book because it seemed like an Elizabethan Salem and it did not disappoint. I am excited to read more from Ms. Porter. She has a very elegant writing style and I was blown away by what the novel described.

'The Wheelwright's Daughter' is a historical novel with such a lovely writing style. The author knows how to tell a great story and I was blown away by the way things were told. A very detailed setting made it even better. The story came to life and the historical aspect of it was very lovely. Besides, the characters were ideal for the plotline and made it even more interesting. They were very full characters and one of the most interesting ones I've read in a while.

4☆ A Compelling Historical Story shrouded in Mystery and Superstition.

The Wheelwright’s Daughter is a compelling story set in 1500s, shrouded in mystery and superstition.

Martha is a young woman who is educated, free spirited, feisty, and loves nature and herbs. Which unfortunately doesn't go down well with the villagers. Especially when these are times where anyone seen as being different was accused of witchcraft was rife.

Her father is not a very nice man, his drunk and expects Martha to do everything including earning.
Martha helps out in her village school teaching the children to read and write. Which also doesn't go down well, as some believe words and books are magic and not to be trusted.

But when an act of nature happens in the village, some villagers blame the devil and of course Martha bares the brunt of the allegations as she dabbles with herbal remedies and is educated with books. Which in these times cause for suspicions.

But can Martha clear her name and prove she is not a witch?

The Wheelwright’s Daughter is a beautifully captivating and highly compelling historical story.
It's a story that's poignant, shrouded in mystery and superstition, drama and unpleasantness.
It felt authentic, wonderfully intriguing and Porter captures the atmosphere perfectly, and successfully transporting me right into the heart of story.

I loved the superstition and mystery surrounding witchcraft and herbal remedies, I found it fascinating but at the same time heartbreaking and shocking as to how people were treated appallingly due to being different!
The characters are complex, not all likeable, but there not meant to be especially Father Paul, they evoked the right emotions.

If you are looking for a new Historical Fiction that delves into witchcraft, mystery and superstition set in the 1500s, that will keep you enthralled then I highly recommend reading The Wheelwright’s Daughter!


Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Wheelwright's Daughter is Eleanor Porter's debut novel. This historical fiction novel was an amazing read for me that was set in the mid to late 1500’s Elizabethan period.
The protagonist is Martha, raised only by her father, the village wheelwright –in Herefordshire Village. Martha is a brilliant character and a strong woman. She runs the household, helps in the school, is well educated and able to read. This gives her knowledge on the basics of herbal remedies. It’s so unfortunate that her small village, townsfolks are more prone to religious bigotry, suspicions, gossips and superstitious beliefs. Martha longs for independence and to live a life where women are respected. Instead, an unfortunate incident in the village points fingers to Martha blaming her and suspecting her of being a witch.

The Wheelwright’s Daughter was exceptionally written Historical Fiction read that transported me to 1500 Elizabethan period with the beautiful language used appropriate for the time set in this story. The research was impeccable and found this adds to make this book an even more powerful, and a captivating read that I really enjoyed from the very first page. I loved the characters and most especially Martha our heroine who was so ahead of her time. What a spellbinding read I thoroughly enjoyed!!

I’m a huge fan of books about witchcraft so you can imagine how much this book appealed to me. I especially liked that this book was set in a village near to where I live as I felt I could picture the setting of this story.

The historical details in this book was superb and I felt fully transported back to the 16th Century with all the little details about village life. I particularly liked the descriptions of the seasonal celebrations as I hadn’t heard of them before.

Martha was a fantastic main character who I warmed to instantly. She’s definitely ahead of her time being headstrong and independent in a time when women weren’t expected to be. It must have been very difficult to be a single women at the time, particularly if you happened to be good at herbal medicine. The amount of superstition over magic and witchcraft was amazing and made me wonder how on earth people could believe in that stuff. The church helped fuel these superstitions to gain power and help keep people fearful, which makes the priest in this book not a very likeable character. There’s something evil about him and I found myself hoping he would meet a sticky end somehow.

Overall I thought this was a very interesting read which was an impressive debut novel. The ending was interesting as the author leaves it open for the reader to draw their own conclusions. I’m hopeful that this means there is a sequel planned.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for a female protagonist who knows her mind and isn’t afraid to stick it to anyone who’s trying to make her less than who she really is. Unfortunately for Martha, this particularly endearing trait runs the risk of costing her life. Set at a time when anyone could be accused of witchcraft simply because their neighbours didn’t like them, the who story is overwrought with a sense of fear. Every instance of rebellion and sass is met with rumour and degradation, even when the villagers are all to happy to ask for her help when their ailing and desperate. Trust me my friends, the hypocrisy will leave you raging!

Now add in a father who is neither a papist or a separatist, but a man of knowledge, and you have a whole other kettle of trouble brewing on the side. A priest who is not only cruel but inclined towards some sexual misconduct, and a neighbour who loves gossip more than her own life and family and you have the makings of some serious drama. And let’s not forget that tantalizingly forbidden little love story which will keep the pages turning faster than the action itself.

Porter’s writing is absolutely sublime. Not only does it give you the feel of Elizabethan England, but it’s the kind of emotional rollercoaster that’s easy to get lost in. I loved that the ambiguity in the telling, which was so well done that I caught myself questioning whether or not Martha had actually caused some of the scenarios she’d been accused of. You feel the fear, the confusion, the loss and the love so completely that you don’t even realize that you’re trucking that much closer to the end.

My only complaint was that I could have used a little more description, that creepy priest? Give me more! A moonlight walk with the feeling of someone lurking in the bush? More! That feeling of longing that Martha gets around Jacob? Mooooaaarr! But, I know that’s my preference over anything else. The upside of this is that while Porter deliver a twisty, all-encompassing read that it doesn’t take an age and a half to read (which can’t be said for all historical dramas).

If you love beautifully written historical fiction with the kind of characters that suck you and refuse to let you go, then this one might just be for you – I highly recommend it!

This was a detailed and absorbing study of village life during a time of superstition and religious fervour. Martha and her father are unpopular in the village where they live and we see the village collectively blame her and accuse her of witchcraft. Martha doesn’t help herself by being pretty flippant to the villagers. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

One of the things that I had to remember about this time period is that women that were educated were always seen as being witches or just… incorrect in some way. Whether it was just being well-read, or even just learning medicinal properties more than what was expected of them to know, anything more than that and a woman was “causing trouble”. So I had to keep my anger in check when she started getting blamed for something that wasn’t even her fault. Because witches, or whatever.

Anyway, I think that Porter wrote this book well, and it really did make me feel like I was going back in time to a period where women like me would not have been accepted. It just made me want to appreciate that even though things aren’t perfect right now, I have the opportunity to not be literally executed for witchcraft, ya feel? So having that feeling of danger and anxiousness surrounding me as I read this because that’s what Martha was going through was an excellent touch.

I also think that even though this book did talk about religious bigotry as one of the main reasons for Martha’s troubles, Porter did a good job at not vilifying religion as a whole. There are some people that are strong in their faith and religion, and when books make all religion sound cruel and punishing, it can turn off a lot of potential readers. This wasn’t the case in this book, which I’m glad to see because it would have turned me off as well.

Martha Dynely is a girl ahead of her time, living in England in Elizabethan times. She is feisty, not subservient to boys or men, and she can read and write. She also has a knowledge of plants and herbs and their healing properties. This makes her somewhat of a enigma in those times. It made people mistrustful of her.

Her father is a drunk and her mother is dead, the nature of her death sparks many a rumour in the village. The priest in the village believes Martha contains demons and wants to save her soul.

It is a lot for a young girl to handle especially as in these times she could conceivably be considered a witch. Can she prove otherwise?

This a brilliantly written novel and gives such insight into the period, I particularly liked the language used by the author.

Recommended.

Eleanor Porter’s impressive debut novel The Wheelwright’s Daughter is a superb historical novel rich in atmosphere, drama, intrigue and intensity. Set during a time of terror, blackmail and suspicion, The Wheelwright’s Daughter is an accomplished first novel that will blow historical fiction aficionados away.

Martha is an intelligent and erudite woman who lives in an English village during Elizabethan times and spends her life looking after her wheelwright father’s household and helping out at the local school. Martha finds the shackles binding her to the village and her wheelwright father constricting, claustrophobic and confining. Her brain is desperate for succour and knowledge yet her life is a constant and exhausting trap of chores, triviality and duty that leaves her frustrated each and every day. Martha yearns for escape and for a better life than the one she is forced to endure. She longs to leave the village and its small-minded bigotry and hatred behind her yet as a woman on her own she knows that this is a dream which she might not be able to turn into reality.
With a love of reading and learning, Martha spends her days trying her utmost to widen her horizons and increase her knowledge by reading as much as she possibly can. Well-versed in herbal remedies, the village rumour mill quickly begins to gain ground as they begin to suspect her of being a witch. Relentless in their pursuit of Martha, the villagers’ ill-founded suspicions begin to gain traction and when a landslip occurs in the village, the wheelwright’s daughter is blamed for this tragic accident.

Martha’s life is in jeopardy. She knows that the villagers will not rest until they wreak their revenge by claiming her life. Yet, courageous Martha knows that she cannot simply surrender and wait for the villagers to come and kill her. She will not succumb to their ignorance and suspicions. With only Jacob, the stable hand whom she is in love with, on her side, Martha will need all of her wits and resolve to emerge out of this unscathed and unharmed. Will the Wheelwright’s Daughter manage to triumph over ignorance, callowness and ridiculous conjecture and succeed in finding the happiness which her station in life has denied her for so long? Or will she end up paying the ultimate price for merely being a brave and intelligent woman?

The Wheelwright’s Daughter is an outstanding historical novel that is wonderfully evocative, powerfully written and spiced with danger, suspense and atmosphere that plunges the reader into the 16th Century with élan and aplomb. Eleanor Porter brings the Elizabethan Age to life by penning an intriguing, engrossing and captivating tale of love, superstition and betrayal that has at its heart a courageous, clever and bold heroine readers cannot help but admire.

The Wheelwright’s Daughter is a spellbinding historical novel and one which augurs a bright future for its talented author: Eleanor Porter.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. Strong female lead, articulate, independent and feisty in sixteenth century England so of course she's accused of being a witch. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction and I absolutely loved this book. Fans of Beth Underwood's The Witchfinders sister will love this.

Martha Dynely is the eponymous Wheelwright's daughter living in a small Herefordshire village in the middle years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1. Martha is feisty and spiky, given to bouts of unpredictability, speaks her mind with a cutting edge and doesn't suffer fools, and because of this she is treated with suspicion, not just by the villagers, but also by the minister who suspects evil around every corner and finds more than enough devilment in Martha to cause him sleepless nights.

Martha's knowledge of herb lore and her ability to read and write sets her apart from the rest of the village and when some unusual things start to happen, the mistrust which has always festered under the surface threatens to destroy Martha. The characters who inhabit the village below Marcle Ridge have their own petty jealousies, their peevishness towards others, and an ingrained fear of authority casts a shadow which is difficult to expunge, and even their esteemed lord in his manor is not without his own dangerous secrets.

This fascinating story, written with an interesting turn of phrase, gives an authenticity to Martha's words and brings a sense of darkness to this shadowy corner of Elizabethan England. Brooding with an underlying menace and as with all stories which look at the persecution of women for witchcraft, The Wheelwright's Daughter gives us an imagined glimpse into our dark and dangerous past.

'Martha is a feisty and articulate young woman, the daughter of a wheelwright, living in a Herefordshire village in Elizabethan England. With no mother Martha's life is spent running her father's meagre household and helping out at the local school whilst longing to escape the confines and small-mindedness of a community driven by religious bigotry and poverty.

As she is able to read and is well-versed in herbal remedies she is suspected of being a witch. When a landslip occurs - opening up a huge chasm in the centre of the village - she is blamed for it and pursued remorselessly by the villagers.

But can her own wits and the love of local stablehand Jacob save her from a witch's persecution and death...'
___________________________________

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

The Wheelwright's Daughter is Eleanor Porter's debut novel and I look forward to reading more from her.

The book takes place in the late 1500s and the author very seemlessly uses a historic voice that makes everything seem more real and helps this story of Elizabethan England come to life. The wording she used sets the perfect tone for this time period so that you feel immersed, but not to so far as to make it hard to understand. But if you're not a native English speaker reading this book, it may be a  little tough.

There is a large cast of characters in this book and many of them are quite unlikable, but your not meant to. And as for our main character, Martha is also often difficult to like. She is constantly making more trouble for herself. She is in a percarious position in her village with almost no protection, but still she lashes out and invites danger everytime she meets with opposition. Her pride and naivety make her foolish. The further I read, the more sympathetic I became with her character and then I was so invested in her fate. She may be prideful and angry, but she is also young and lonely. The poor girl has such terrible luck, I'm sure if she didn't have her pride then she would feel as though she had nothing. And not having all the facts puts her at a disadvantage for far too long. But I'll say no more on that, you'll have to read to see for yourself.

I rated this book 4.5 stars instead of 5 because I found the book a little slow to start and therefore it took me a bit longer to become invested in the story. Plus I was a little disappointed that the book ended on a cliffhanger. There is enough information given that I can infer as to how way things may have turned out for Martha, but then I still won't know for certain. With all that happened over the course of the book and how the storyline pulled me in, I would have preferred to have a little more closure at the end of the book by knowing Martha's fate. But perhaps there will be a sequel and I'll find out for certain? I nearly rounded my 4.5 down to four stars, but after thinking on it, I really think this book deserves to be rounded up to the five instead. Any book that can start(and continue until about the halfway point) with my not really liking the main character much and to then so fully pull me in and have me rooting for her character? That is deserving of 5 stars for me.

The Wheelwright's Daughter is a little slow to start, but then it really pulls you in and through both the mundane and fantastical you'll want to keep going side-by-side with Martha to see how her fate plays out. This was a brilliant debut novel and I look forward to seeing more by Eleanor Porter in the future and would be interested to see if Martha's story is ever expanded upon. If you like historical fiction and have ever been intruiged by the poor women forced to endure witch trials, then I strongly recommend this book to you.
_____

I would like to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sharing a copy of The Wheelwright's Daughter by Eleanor Porter with me for reviewing purposes. This is my honest review.