The Merrybegot (aka The Minister's Daughter)

by Julie Hearn | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0192791575 Global Overview for this book
Registered by rem_STP-921375 on 1/3/2006
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6 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by rem_STP-921375 on Tuesday, January 3, 2006
This is a fabulous book. I think it is actually aimed at teenagers, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is set in the West Country during the time of the witch trials. The characters are interesting and I thought the time and place were really brought to life. It's a quick read, but the author manages to packs lots in including issues such as the sexism behind the witch trials and the conflict between Christianity and the 'old ways'. When you read the book you can certainly understand how someone with a grudge against the local healer could easily create an atmosphere of hysteria and suspicion. I will certainly be reading Julie Hearn's other books.

http://www.julie-hearn.com/

"This is the story of Nell who lives with her grandmother, the local cunning woman and healer, in a west country village in the seventeenth century. When one of the minister's daughters falls pregnant she and her sister attempt to conceal it by accusing Nell of putting a curse on them. The witchfinder general, Matthew Hopkins, is called in and in an atmosphere of fear, the local villagers turn nasty and Nell's grandmother falls victim to their hatred. Nell is all alone, and in great danger ..."

Journal Entry 2 by rem_STP-921375 on Friday, January 6, 2006
I am sending this out on a bookring. The members are:

heathwitch
Heaven-Ali
Rillaith
nyassa
Then back to me - pennywhistler

Journal Entry 3 by heathwitch from Glossop, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Monday, January 9, 2006
Received today from pennywhistler. Just got to finish the last third of another book first, then I'll start on this one. :)

Journal Entry 4 by heathwitch from Glossop, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 25, 2006
An interesting read, but what really let it down for me was the inclusion of all that Wicca :( The story is set in both 1642 and 1692, and Wicca did not come along until the 1950s -- so while the herbal remedies and so forth were exceptionally well researched, the inclusion of aspects of Wicca (the four quarters and elements, the circle, and so on) was just laughable.

I enjoyed it for the herbal aspects, but that's about it, which disappointed me. Mailing on to Heaven-Ali today.

Journal Entry 5 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, January 27, 2006
Arrived safely today - I'll probably start this sometime over this weekend when I've finished the book I'm reading.

Journal Entry 6 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, January 29, 2006
I really stepped outside my comfort zone with this one. It's a really quick read too, perfect for the weekend! I was really intrested by the witch trials stuff, and the mere mention of Matthew Hopkins sent shivers down my spine. I suppose I would have been intrested in further deeper exloration of this - the natural remedies and folk lore was a real eye opener.

Thanks for sharing this - I like discovering new things and trying books I wouldn't usually read, thats the great thing about bookcrossing.

I pm'd Rillaith for her address, and will send this on as soon as I can.

Edited 01/02/06 - sent to Rillaith first class - enjoy!

Journal Entry 7 by Rillaith from Wokingham, Berkshire United Kingdom on Monday, February 6, 2006
Arrived at the weekend, although I've had now 6 ring books arrive together, so it may be a short while before I can read this and pass it on. Good thing I get 2+ hours of uninterrupted commuting reading time each day :) Looking forward to reading this one.

Journal Entry 8 by Rillaith from Wokingham, Berkshire United Kingdom on Monday, February 20, 2006
I really enjoyed reading this book, and as pennywhistler said, it was a surprisingly quick read for its apparent size. The story is well put together, covering the hypocrisy and bigotry asssociated with the witch trials in a way that illustrates their horrific nature to everyone, and weaving that into a story which is engaging in its own right.

Thank you very much for arranging this, Pennywhistler!

Journal Entry 9 by Rillaith at Bookring in a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 20, 2006

Released 18 yrs ago (2/20/2006 UTC) at Bookring in a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I already have Nyassa's address from my own bookring last week, so will pop this in the post at lunchtime!

Journal Entry 10 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Arrived with absolute perfect timing - I put down one book with regret last night, and this morning The Merrybegot arrives!

Journal Entry 11 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Friday, March 24, 2006
It didn't let me down at all - I really did enjoy it. It was interesting as well as entertaining.

Many thanks.

Journal Entry 12 by rem_STP-921375 on Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Thanks to everyone for taking part in this bookring!

Journal Entry 13 by rem_STP-921375 on Friday, June 9, 2006
Sending to purple-pixie as part of the "UK only - Older kids & teenagers" relay. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 14 by purple-pixie from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Arrived safely this morning, thank you!

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