Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York : St. Martin's Press, 2023.
Description
"2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century. 1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha's mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom. 1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives--and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom. Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world"--… (more)
Media reviews
Thoughtful and at times harrowing, this novel is a successful blend of historical fiction and modern feminism. ...Three generations of women struggle against the bounds of patriarchy in this debut novel... an engaging novel that captures the ways patriarchy has sought to limit women for all of
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history and the ways women have found to carve out freedom for themselves. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member FlowerchildReads
“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet. - Adrienne Rich”
I first read Emilia Hart’s debut Weyward in October and was so enthralled by it I posted then to urge y’all to beg/borrow/steal an
Weyward is the story of three women in very different timelines, with deep connections to nature. It’s a story of how women hide their gifts to survive, of secrets, and breaking free. Spanning five decades Hart weaves a story of Altha accused of witchcraft in 1619, Violet disowned by her family in 1942, and Kate running from an abusive partner in 2019. The woman of their family share a gift, one that’s been exploited and demonized. All find solace and answers in a family cottage, Weyward. I loved the connections to the natural world, the elemental beauty of this book.
I strongly recommend for lovers of historical fiction, especially with a magical element. I think this makes a fantastic book club and buddy read as there’s so much to discuss. It’s perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Laurie Lico Albanese’s (Hester), as well as Alex E Harrow (The One And Future Witches). I can’t wait to see what Emilia Hart writes next!
Thank you to St Martin’s Press, Emilia Hart, and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
I first read Emilia Hart’s debut Weyward in October and was so enthralled by it I posted then to urge y’all to beg/borrow/steal an
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early copy. I knew it was going to be a bestseller. I read it again last week…that’s right…I read it twice before publication. Both times I binge read in less than a day.Weyward is the story of three women in very different timelines, with deep connections to nature. It’s a story of how women hide their gifts to survive, of secrets, and breaking free. Spanning five decades Hart weaves a story of Altha accused of witchcraft in 1619, Violet disowned by her family in 1942, and Kate running from an abusive partner in 2019. The woman of their family share a gift, one that’s been exploited and demonized. All find solace and answers in a family cottage, Weyward. I loved the connections to the natural world, the elemental beauty of this book.
I strongly recommend for lovers of historical fiction, especially with a magical element. I think this makes a fantastic book club and buddy read as there’s so much to discuss. It’s perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Laurie Lico Albanese’s (Hester), as well as Alex E Harrow (The One And Future Witches). I can’t wait to see what Emilia Hart writes next!
Thank you to St Martin’s Press, Emilia Hart, and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
To say I was disappointed to listen to this book is putting it mildly. It won best historical fiction in the 2023 GoodReads Best Books for 2023, and as historical fiction is my favourite genre, I thought I should read it. Well this isn't historical fiction. Far from it. There are zero historical
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facts in this book, just witches, women with bad luck and troubles, women who can't seem to make their own minds, nothing butmagical realism, and some very hateful men. The book should be rated as feminist fiction, and no where did I see that in any of the reviews that I did read. I was stretched to the limit with horrible, evil men, and thought to myself--"how misleading". Not every man is a chauvinistic, mean bully. I know lots of really loving, kind men, including my father and my husband. I couldn't take it after I was about halfway through the book and sent it back to the library where I borrowed it from. Show Less
LibraryThing member jo_lafaith
“Perhaps that was what he really had a problem with. That he could control her body but not her mind.”
— Emilia Hart, Weyward (pg 22)
4.5
‘Weyward’ tells the stories of three women, across time; Altha (1619), Violet (1942) and Kate (2019). Each women is facing a terrible truth, at the hands
When I look for a book that implies “witches”, what I’m really looking for is something terribly specific. I don’t enjoy whimsical, silly books about casting spells and getting into high jinks. I don’t even particularly like paranormal dramas. I want a novel that honors both women and the natural world, that relies on the history and truths based down, body to body, that reflects the persecution of those deemed “witch”. I want something atmospheric and relatable, something to find myself in. I want a book that gives a sense of vindication. I want a book written by someone, who gets it. Emilia Hart… gets it.
There is a huge focus on the natural world and communion with nature, through a love of animals but also the study of those animals. It’s beautifully rendered, atmospheric and with a true sense of place. The main setting is an integral part of the book and it feels firmly realized. A commonality between each story in the book is the sense of being trapped. That truth of having very little say in a given situation, and none of the proper tools to overcome that oppression. Of course there is acknowledgement that at each shifting of the centuries things improve for women, but some things remain, and those realities are overwhelming. I saw, or perhaps wanted to see, nods to things like ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. I was amazed by the thoughtful explorations of domestic violence, rape and pregnancy in this book. I can tell Emilia Hart was full of love and tenderness for these characters and the women whose situations they portray. I felt a sense of understanding, and warmth from that.
I want to touch on the audiobook, for a moment, as I was kindly provided the audio via Libro.FM. I mean… amazing. Its features three narrators; Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley and Nell Barlow. Each have a portrayal that bring the words to life and infuses it with a sense of humanity and depth. A perfect pairing. If you’re looking to get into audiobooks this is fantastic. I, myself, like to listen as I read along in my physical copy. A truly immersive experience.
I highly recommend this book, with the added note to look up trigger warnings. While nothing is gratuitous in this novel, there are difficult topics and scenes and they could be difficult for some readers. Always stay safe.
+ PERSONAL REFLECTION / POSSIBLE SPOILERS +
Kate’s storyline deals with an abusive partner and a long term relationship with that partner, which she is in hiding from. I, myself, was locked in an abusive marriage for seven years. During that time I faced physical abuse and emotional torment. No part of my body belonged to myself. And in that desperate situation, with no help and no way out, I ended up with three children. The things Kate faces, the inability to take birth control, to refuse advances, all of it — it felt so similar to my situation. When I finally got out it was frightening. I lived in fear for years and on some level always will. But my biggest call to action was to protect my children. To keep them safe. I end up with sole custody. He doesn’t even have visitation. But our lives are lived in very deliberate ways that make it hard to form connections and to feel, truly, free. The way Kate’s experience is written felt absolutely true to me. I had never felt so seen. I had women say to me, in flippant tones; “Oh well, you knew” as if staying was my choice, as if getting out was something I didn’t want badly enough… Emilia Hart wasn’t saying that. Emilia Hart was hugging me. And I needed that.
+ SPOILER +
This does involve magic. Actual magic, not implied. But it doesn’t overtake the novel and is only present in the conclusion. I took a note though, in the margins; “I wasn’t sure how I’d feel if they were really “witches” — But I think of myself at 6, 13, 18, 20, 26… and how I’d have given anything to have that kind of gift. A power. Hours, always, spent communing with nature or lost in thought with a false hope I could pull “it” from somewhere inside. — I’m glad they could.”
— Emilia Hart, Weyward (pg 22)
4.5
‘Weyward’ tells the stories of three women, across time; Altha (1619), Violet (1942) and Kate (2019). Each women is facing a terrible truth, at the hands
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of society — or more specifically — the hands of men in their lives. This is a “witchy” novel, as you might gather, and one that follows some familiar themes, but this debut blew me away, and Emilia Hart has crafted something quite special.When I look for a book that implies “witches”, what I’m really looking for is something terribly specific. I don’t enjoy whimsical, silly books about casting spells and getting into high jinks. I don’t even particularly like paranormal dramas. I want a novel that honors both women and the natural world, that relies on the history and truths based down, body to body, that reflects the persecution of those deemed “witch”. I want something atmospheric and relatable, something to find myself in. I want a book that gives a sense of vindication. I want a book written by someone, who gets it. Emilia Hart… gets it.
There is a huge focus on the natural world and communion with nature, through a love of animals but also the study of those animals. It’s beautifully rendered, atmospheric and with a true sense of place. The main setting is an integral part of the book and it feels firmly realized. A commonality between each story in the book is the sense of being trapped. That truth of having very little say in a given situation, and none of the proper tools to overcome that oppression. Of course there is acknowledgement that at each shifting of the centuries things improve for women, but some things remain, and those realities are overwhelming. I saw, or perhaps wanted to see, nods to things like ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. I was amazed by the thoughtful explorations of domestic violence, rape and pregnancy in this book. I can tell Emilia Hart was full of love and tenderness for these characters and the women whose situations they portray. I felt a sense of understanding, and warmth from that.
I want to touch on the audiobook, for a moment, as I was kindly provided the audio via Libro.FM. I mean… amazing. Its features three narrators; Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley and Nell Barlow. Each have a portrayal that bring the words to life and infuses it with a sense of humanity and depth. A perfect pairing. If you’re looking to get into audiobooks this is fantastic. I, myself, like to listen as I read along in my physical copy. A truly immersive experience.
I highly recommend this book, with the added note to look up trigger warnings. While nothing is gratuitous in this novel, there are difficult topics and scenes and they could be difficult for some readers. Always stay safe.
+ PERSONAL REFLECTION / POSSIBLE SPOILERS +
Kate’s storyline deals with an abusive partner and a long term relationship with that partner, which she is in hiding from. I, myself, was locked in an abusive marriage for seven years. During that time I faced physical abuse and emotional torment. No part of my body belonged to myself. And in that desperate situation, with no help and no way out, I ended up with three children. The things Kate faces, the inability to take birth control, to refuse advances, all of it — it felt so similar to my situation. When I finally got out it was frightening. I lived in fear for years and on some level always will. But my biggest call to action was to protect my children. To keep them safe. I end up with sole custody. He doesn’t even have visitation. But our lives are lived in very deliberate ways that make it hard to form connections and to feel, truly, free. The way Kate’s experience is written felt absolutely true to me. I had never felt so seen. I had women say to me, in flippant tones; “Oh well, you knew” as if staying was my choice, as if getting out was something I didn’t want badly enough… Emilia Hart wasn’t saying that. Emilia Hart was hugging me. And I needed that.
+ SPOILER +
This does involve magic. Actual magic, not implied. But it doesn’t overtake the novel and is only present in the conclusion. I took a note though, in the margins; “I wasn’t sure how I’d feel if they were really “witches” — But I think of myself at 6, 13, 18, 20, 26… and how I’d have given anything to have that kind of gift. A power. Hours, always, spent communing with nature or lost in thought with a false hope I could pull “it” from somewhere inside. — I’m glad they could.”
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LibraryThing member ladycato
I received an advance copy via NetGalley.
I read a description of this book in one of the publishing emails I receive, and I was thrilled to then find the book on NetGalley and be approved to read it. Weyward sounded like my kind of book, and it is: a sprawling work of feminism mixed with magic.
The book follows three women across the centuries: Kate, a contemporary woman escaping an abuse man by fleeing to the Cumbrian countryside and the remote cottage she inherited from a great-aunt she hardly knew. Violet, a teenager during World War II, sheltered from the outside world and her own truth by a viscount father, at odds with her younger brother, and wanting nothing more than to study the insects that she loves. And then there's Altha in the 1600s, a village healer on trial for witchcraft. The tales are twined together, tension kept high through all three narratives. The book was an incredibly fast read for me, and a hard one at times because of the things they had to endure.
I read a description of this book in one of the publishing emails I receive, and I was thrilled to then find the book on NetGalley and be approved to read it. Weyward sounded like my kind of book, and it is: a sprawling work of feminism mixed with magic.
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Trigger warning straight up: rape and abuse are very much present in this work, along with the repercussions of such acts, but it is NOT depicted through the male viewpoint, and is handled with sensitivity. Weyward women are nothing is not resilient.The book follows three women across the centuries: Kate, a contemporary woman escaping an abuse man by fleeing to the Cumbrian countryside and the remote cottage she inherited from a great-aunt she hardly knew. Violet, a teenager during World War II, sheltered from the outside world and her own truth by a viscount father, at odds with her younger brother, and wanting nothing more than to study the insects that she loves. And then there's Altha in the 1600s, a village healer on trial for witchcraft. The tales are twined together, tension kept high through all three narratives. The book was an incredibly fast read for me, and a hard one at times because of the things they had to endure.
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LibraryThing member susan0316
This is a beautifully written story about three women who are part of the Weyword family and their connection over four centuries. The women are all fighting against evil in their lives and use their love and nature - and a bit of magic - to survive. The story is told by each woman in alternating
Altha in 1619. She and her mother are healers and help the people in their small village. Someone dies and she is accused of witchcraft and thrown into a dark, dank cell and then put on trial. Will the jury find here guilty and put her to death for being a witch?
Violet in 1942. She is only 16 and has been kept sequestered in her home and ruled by a cold father, taken care of by servants. Her mother is dead and even though she tries to find out more about her, no one will tell her anything. She loves the outdoors and connects with the bugs and the bees. When her father brings a male cousin to the house on holiday, it eventually causes huge changes in Violet's life.
Kate in 2019. Kate is in an abusive relationship - both physical and psychological. Her husband has forced her to quit her job and give up her friendships and has total power over her. But she has a secret -- her great aunt has left Weyward cottage to her in her will and her husband doesn't know anything about it. When she sneaks away to the cottage to find freedom, she is in great fear that her husband will find her. As she finds out about her ancestors - especially her Aunt Violet - she realizes that there has been power in the women in her family for generations and begins to learn how to harness that personal power to make her stronger and more resilient.
Often in a book with more than one timeline, it's easy to enjoy one story more than the others. In this book, all three story lines were equally compelling and interesting. It's difficult to do this with two time lines but the author does a fantastic job of intermingling all three story lines. I was surprised to read that this is a debut novel for Emilia Hart and can't wait to read whatever she writes in the future.
I will admit that I don't usually like books with any magic in them but this book is a definite exception. The main focus in this book is on the three women and how they gain personal power to defeat the negativity in their lives. I highly recommend it!
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chapters.Altha in 1619. She and her mother are healers and help the people in their small village. Someone dies and she is accused of witchcraft and thrown into a dark, dank cell and then put on trial. Will the jury find here guilty and put her to death for being a witch?
Violet in 1942. She is only 16 and has been kept sequestered in her home and ruled by a cold father, taken care of by servants. Her mother is dead and even though she tries to find out more about her, no one will tell her anything. She loves the outdoors and connects with the bugs and the bees. When her father brings a male cousin to the house on holiday, it eventually causes huge changes in Violet's life.
Kate in 2019. Kate is in an abusive relationship - both physical and psychological. Her husband has forced her to quit her job and give up her friendships and has total power over her. But she has a secret -- her great aunt has left Weyward cottage to her in her will and her husband doesn't know anything about it. When she sneaks away to the cottage to find freedom, she is in great fear that her husband will find her. As she finds out about her ancestors - especially her Aunt Violet - she realizes that there has been power in the women in her family for generations and begins to learn how to harness that personal power to make her stronger and more resilient.
Often in a book with more than one timeline, it's easy to enjoy one story more than the others. In this book, all three story lines were equally compelling and interesting. It's difficult to do this with two time lines but the author does a fantastic job of intermingling all three story lines. I was surprised to read that this is a debut novel for Emilia Hart and can't wait to read whatever she writes in the future.
I will admit that I don't usually like books with any magic in them but this book is a definite exception. The main focus in this book is on the three women and how they gain personal power to defeat the negativity in their lives. I highly recommend it!
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LibraryThing member tamidale
I’ve been privileged to be reading some great books lately and Weyward is one of those books. In the story there are three timelines featuring women from the same family line. Set in England, the main part of the story takes place in a small village that is home to a grand family estate called
In 2019, Kate flees an abusive husband and finds refuge in Weyward cottage, a home that she inherited from her aunt Violet, whom she barely knew. Luckily Kate was wise enough to keep the inheritance from her husband, so he has no idea where she has gone.
In 1942, Violet is living in the family estate of Orton Hall, with a domineering father and a household staff that is secretive about her late mother. Violet is let to believe she died in childbirth, but no one will talk about her mother, which arouses Violet’s curiosity even more.
In 1619, Altha, a young woman with the gift of healing is put on trial for witchcraft. Altha keeps a record of her life and her healing methods and these records have been handed down through the generations of Weyward women.
When a tragedy occurs and Violet is cast out of Orton Hall, she is send to live at Wayward cottage. She soon learns to love the cottage and it is there that she discovers the history of her mother and the generations of women that came before her.
Like Violet, Kate makes some discoveries as well. As the story builds, Kate faces her greatest fear and proves how strong the bloodline of the Weyward line of women has become.
I really enjoyed reading this. It was one book I looked forward to reading each day. Highly recommend for historical fiction readers, those who love witchy stories and those with a penchant for family history.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance review copy. I am happy to recommend this to readers and give my honest review.
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Orton Hall and Weyward cottage, a small home nearby.In 2019, Kate flees an abusive husband and finds refuge in Weyward cottage, a home that she inherited from her aunt Violet, whom she barely knew. Luckily Kate was wise enough to keep the inheritance from her husband, so he has no idea where she has gone.
In 1942, Violet is living in the family estate of Orton Hall, with a domineering father and a household staff that is secretive about her late mother. Violet is let to believe she died in childbirth, but no one will talk about her mother, which arouses Violet’s curiosity even more.
In 1619, Altha, a young woman with the gift of healing is put on trial for witchcraft. Altha keeps a record of her life and her healing methods and these records have been handed down through the generations of Weyward women.
When a tragedy occurs and Violet is cast out of Orton Hall, she is send to live at Wayward cottage. She soon learns to love the cottage and it is there that she discovers the history of her mother and the generations of women that came before her.
Like Violet, Kate makes some discoveries as well. As the story builds, Kate faces her greatest fear and proves how strong the bloodline of the Weyward line of women has become.
I really enjoyed reading this. It was one book I looked forward to reading each day. Highly recommend for historical fiction readers, those who love witchy stories and those with a penchant for family history.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance review copy. I am happy to recommend this to readers and give my honest review.
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LibraryThing member jmoura01
This engaging story of three women is told in multiple timelines spanning 5 centuries. Altha (1619), Violet (1942) and Kate (2019), all have an affinity with nature. They each find themselves trapped in their own lives, through societal norms or abusive men in positions of power.
The writing of
Thank you to Shelf Awareness, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The writing of
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this book was stunning. Amelia Hart did a wonderful job of weaving the three stories and holding my interest. I also enjoyed the three narrators. Even though there were three separate stories and timelines, I had no problem following due to fantastic narration by Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley and Nell Barlow. Thank you to Shelf Awareness, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Weyward by Emilia Hart is one of those novels I know I loved. I have notes that say I did, and my immediate ratings reflect that I loved it. Unfortunately, even though I finished it one month ago, I could not remember anything about the book, even though I do remember details about books read
The story occurs over three different timelines. From the outset, you know the three protagonists share the same bloodline, and part of the fun is attempting to predict how they relate to one another. Thankfully, Ms. Hart does keep us guessing. What could be a very predictable bloodline ends up being a pleasant surprise.
We spend most of our time switching between modern-day Kate and World War II-era Violet. It makes sense to have Kate as the main protagonist because hers is the modern timeline and also because we can better relate to her flight from an abusive marriage and the whimsy of living in a remote cottage. Violet’s narrative, however, drives most of the story, as hers sets up Kate’s future. Altha’s story exists to emphasize that their family has a history of being bossed around (i.e., abused) by men who profess to have their best interests at heart. While Altha’s story has her confronting the reality of the death penalty, what the other two women face is just as haunting.
One cannot discuss Weyward without discussing the abuse all three women face. Ms. Hart does not fade to black during those scenes. She shows us exactly what each woman experiences at the hands of men. These scenes are ugly, raw, and uncomfortable. The worst part is that the abuse is not just physical or sexual but also psychological and emotional. You cannot escape any of it. As if that isn’t enough, Ms. Hart heaps on misogyny and gaslighting to further her point about men ruling over women. It is a brutal picture of female-male relationships.
Thankfully, Ms. Hart also includes some positive female-male relationships to show that it isn’t all men or all relationships. The relationship between Violet and her brother is particularly heartwarming. Graham makes mistakes, but his love for Violet is unconditional. The steps he takes to rectify his mistakes are the ones that have the most impact on Kate’s life. More importantly, they help show that women are capable of anything without patriarchal oppression.
Interwoven throughout the three narratives is a familial magic that makes the women highly attuned to nature. Altha, in particular, is also knowledgeable in plant medicine, which, of course, makes her a witch. While their abilities play a large role in their fates, I feel the magic isn’t as important as their interactions with others, especially with men. In my opinion, Weyward is a novel of self-discovery and healing, and the magic is simply an added but perhaps unnecessary bonus.
Despite its darkness, Weyward is a beautiful story. Ms. Hart brings 1619 and 1942 back to life in a way few authors can achieve. While each woman undergoes traumatic hardships, it is obvious that Ms. Hart cares for her protagonists and celebrates their successes as much as we do. It is so unfortunate that I forgot all of this in a matter of weeks. A truly great novel has staying power, and I cannot consider Weyward to be a truly great novel simply because I could not remember a single thing about it until I read the synopsis.
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before and after it. I had to read the synopsis before finally remembering the story. Now that I remember Weyward, I still stand by my initial reaction, but I will have to adjust my ratings because the story has no longevity.The story occurs over three different timelines. From the outset, you know the three protagonists share the same bloodline, and part of the fun is attempting to predict how they relate to one another. Thankfully, Ms. Hart does keep us guessing. What could be a very predictable bloodline ends up being a pleasant surprise.
We spend most of our time switching between modern-day Kate and World War II-era Violet. It makes sense to have Kate as the main protagonist because hers is the modern timeline and also because we can better relate to her flight from an abusive marriage and the whimsy of living in a remote cottage. Violet’s narrative, however, drives most of the story, as hers sets up Kate’s future. Altha’s story exists to emphasize that their family has a history of being bossed around (i.e., abused) by men who profess to have their best interests at heart. While Altha’s story has her confronting the reality of the death penalty, what the other two women face is just as haunting.
One cannot discuss Weyward without discussing the abuse all three women face. Ms. Hart does not fade to black during those scenes. She shows us exactly what each woman experiences at the hands of men. These scenes are ugly, raw, and uncomfortable. The worst part is that the abuse is not just physical or sexual but also psychological and emotional. You cannot escape any of it. As if that isn’t enough, Ms. Hart heaps on misogyny and gaslighting to further her point about men ruling over women. It is a brutal picture of female-male relationships.
Thankfully, Ms. Hart also includes some positive female-male relationships to show that it isn’t all men or all relationships. The relationship between Violet and her brother is particularly heartwarming. Graham makes mistakes, but his love for Violet is unconditional. The steps he takes to rectify his mistakes are the ones that have the most impact on Kate’s life. More importantly, they help show that women are capable of anything without patriarchal oppression.
Interwoven throughout the three narratives is a familial magic that makes the women highly attuned to nature. Altha, in particular, is also knowledgeable in plant medicine, which, of course, makes her a witch. While their abilities play a large role in their fates, I feel the magic isn’t as important as their interactions with others, especially with men. In my opinion, Weyward is a novel of self-discovery and healing, and the magic is simply an added but perhaps unnecessary bonus.
Despite its darkness, Weyward is a beautiful story. Ms. Hart brings 1619 and 1942 back to life in a way few authors can achieve. While each woman undergoes traumatic hardships, it is obvious that Ms. Hart cares for her protagonists and celebrates their successes as much as we do. It is so unfortunate that I forgot all of this in a matter of weeks. A truly great novel has staying power, and I cannot consider Weyward to be a truly great novel simply because I could not remember a single thing about it until I read the synopsis.
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LibraryThing member smorton11
Our three protagonists, Altha, Violet and Kate, immediately pulled me into their lives, the lives of the Weyward women of Cumbria. Across the centuries, the three women endured unspeakable horrors at the hands of the men around them. Unspeakable, but alas not uncommon. In telling their stories
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across the centuries, Emilia has forged the subtle, and not so subtle, connections between them and their experiences, ones that all women can relate to, even if they’ve never been tried for witchcraft, imprisoned in their own home, or on the run from an abusive partner. Despite these horrific beginnings, each woman comes into her own “power,” her understanding of her own great strength, and her reasons for hope in this cruel world. And the occasional ability to torment their abuser with decades long mayfly infestations. I am at the age where I have a number of friends who are currently pregnant, raising young children, or both, and one in particular has been very into exploring the transitions women make from maiden, to mother, to crone, and how nature roots us all. I couldn’t have imagined a more timely correlation between my conversations with her and the themes Emilia explores in Weyward. Needless to say, I already know of one person I will be enthusiastically recommending Weyward to and I’m sure there will be many more to follow. Show Less
LibraryThing member vancouverdeb
A fabulous read that I recommend to most everybody. The story is told in three timelines.
1619 Altha is awaiting a trial for murder and witchcraft
1942 Violet is living on her father's crumbling , country estate. Her mother is long dead, and Violet longs for an education like her brother Graham is
2019 Kate flees an abusive marriage. In the ramshackle cottage of Weyward, Kate attempts to heal and restart her life.
All three women are related, and their stories are woven together. Though the story may seem to be somewhat about the supernatural , it is really about the women's connection to nature, female agency, and the unfortunate effect patriarchy has had on women.
A gripping , hard to put down wonderful read.
4.5 stars
1619 Altha is awaiting a trial for murder and witchcraft
1942 Violet is living on her father's crumbling , country estate. Her mother is long dead, and Violet longs for an education like her brother Graham is
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receiving .2019 Kate flees an abusive marriage. In the ramshackle cottage of Weyward, Kate attempts to heal and restart her life.
All three women are related, and their stories are woven together. Though the story may seem to be somewhat about the supernatural , it is really about the women's connection to nature, female agency, and the unfortunate effect patriarchy has had on women.
A gripping , hard to put down wonderful read.
4.5 stars
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LibraryThing member AdonisGuilfoyle
First of all, I have to challenge the promotional taglines for this novel - in no way is Weyward 'unique', 'original' or 'unforgettable'. For all the hype, I wouldn't rate the story or the writing higher than mediocre, albeit a swift and sensationalised mediocre that I got through in a day.
The
(Spoilers, I guess?)
Weyward, they called us, when we would not submit, would not bend to their will. But we learned to wear the name with pride.
Which brings me to my second problem with this book: the men. Now, I'm not a flowery romantic who likes to read about true love, and yes, some men are abusive and controlling, but out of the three narratives, the overriding message appears to be that men are evil rapists out to dominate women in one way or another. I think only Violet's brother Graham is a 'nice guy' - and that, I assume, is because someone has to carry on the line for Kate's sake (he's her grandfather). All of the women are strong and powerful, sharing an affinity with nature which protects them - kind of like witchcraft, except we don't use the word 'witch' in the Weyward family. Altha is accused of causing the death of her friend's 'beastly' (hoho) husband - which she did - while Violet plagues her rapist cousin with sixty years of mayflies and Kate turns Hitchcock on Simon and he gets charged with assault. The subplots are Grimm, pun intended, and the characters are thin, but hey, girl power! Seriously, Emilia, who hurt you? Why can I imagine the author sitting down at her computer, cracking her knuckles, and announcing 'RIGHT! Here's what I think of men!'
Snarking aside, I really wanted to like the story and the women, because three generations of one family - with a bit of a gap - sharing the same power and even the house usually works for me. But instead of Practical Magic - the film, not the book - I got The Manningtree Witches meets Catherine Cookson. Not my witch's brew, I'm afraid. Nice cover, though.
The
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narrative is shared between three women from different generations of the Weyward family: Altha in the 1600s (or so we are told but bar accusations of witchcraft and a stray 'prithee', the century is hard to tell), Violet in the 1940s (only she travelled into the future to invent tights like Peggy Sue) and Kate in the present day (bar her Yahoo Henry abusive partner). Altha stands trial for the murder of her best friend's husband, Violet is held prisoner by her almost comically cruel father and then raped by a cousin, while Kate escapes from her possessive and violent boyfriend Simon (red flag right there, Kate) to hide in her family's cottage in Cumbria.(Spoilers, I guess?)
Weyward, they called us, when we would not submit, would not bend to their will. But we learned to wear the name with pride.
Which brings me to my second problem with this book: the men. Now, I'm not a flowery romantic who likes to read about true love, and yes, some men are abusive and controlling, but out of the three narratives, the overriding message appears to be that men are evil rapists out to dominate women in one way or another. I think only Violet's brother Graham is a 'nice guy' - and that, I assume, is because someone has to carry on the line for Kate's sake (he's her grandfather). All of the women are strong and powerful, sharing an affinity with nature which protects them - kind of like witchcraft, except we don't use the word 'witch' in the Weyward family. Altha is accused of causing the death of her friend's 'beastly' (hoho) husband - which she did - while Violet plagues her rapist cousin with sixty years of mayflies and Kate turns Hitchcock on Simon and he gets charged with assault. The subplots are Grimm, pun intended, and the characters are thin, but hey, girl power! Seriously, Emilia, who hurt you? Why can I imagine the author sitting down at her computer, cracking her knuckles, and announcing 'RIGHT! Here's what I think of men!'
Snarking aside, I really wanted to like the story and the women, because three generations of one family - with a bit of a gap - sharing the same power and even the house usually works for me. But instead of Practical Magic - the film, not the book - I got The Manningtree Witches meets Catherine Cookson. Not my witch's brew, I'm afraid. Nice cover, though.
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LibraryThing member Hccpsk
If you seek a feminist, historical fantasy then look no further — Weyward by debut author Emilia Hart fits the bill. The women of the Weyward family have had a connection to nature and animals for generations, and through rotating chapters, we meet three of them living in the English countryside
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in different eras — from the 17th century to modern times. Hart uses these women to explore feminist themes of body autonomy, rape, and power dynamics while giving readers a great connected story. The delivery of family history and the tidy ending may feel trite, but who cares? Weyward was an excellent book for readers who enjoy T. Kingfisher, Holly Black, and other magical realism writers. Show Less
LibraryThing member spiritedstardust
Story about women being resilient in the face of abuse and oppression who chose how they live their own lives
Heavy on the insects - also included on page rape and abortion
What brought it down for me was finding out how Violet “tried to help Kate” - why didn’t you just try actually being
Heavy on the insects - also included on page rape and abortion
What brought it down for me was finding out how Violet “tried to help Kate” - why didn’t you just try actually being
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around?? Show Less
LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
What an amazing debut by Emilia Hart! Narrated by Altha in 1619, Violet in 1942, and Kate in 2019, we learn the history of the Weyward women and their stories of female resistance. Also, a beautiful cover! Recommended
LibraryThing member carolfoisset
Fairly light read (tough topics but the writing style keeps it somewhat light) liked the link to the natural world. Story is told thru 3 woman in three different time periods. Liked the representation of strong women.
LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Weyward is three stories of 'weird' women. Altha was accused of witchcraft in Lancashire in 1619, shortly after the Pendle witchcraft trials. Violet is her descendant, a wealthy young woman who has been isolated at her father's estate in the 1940s. And Kate is a current descendant of Altha's who is
The three POVs alternate in short chapters that keep the pace of the stories moving. All three have mysteries that are interrelated and made clear as the book progresses. The writing is well-crafted but there were no surprises, and while there are some supernatural elements, the paranormal sometimes felt forced into the stories, especially Kate's. It's a quick, entertaining read.
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pregnant and escaping an abusive boyfriend. All three women are eerily attuned to nature, especially insects and birds. The three stories are joined together by Weyward Cottage, the small home where each of them ends up. The three POVs alternate in short chapters that keep the pace of the stories moving. All three have mysteries that are interrelated and made clear as the book progresses. The writing is well-crafted but there were no surprises, and while there are some supernatural elements, the paranormal sometimes felt forced into the stories, especially Kate's. It's a quick, entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member Twink
Oh, look that cover - isn't it gorgeous? Even better is the story that awaits you in Emilia Hart's debut novel, Weyward.
Hart's book unfolds through the narrative of three women over the course of five centuries. In 1619, Altha is on trial for witchcraft. In 1942, Violet is virtually a prisoner in
What ties the three together is their family tree and Weyward Cottage. There's more of course, but not all of them are aware yet of their strengths, abilities or what came before.
Hart tells her story in rotating points of view, often ending at a place I couldn't wait to return to. (Makes for lots of late night reading!) And as those time periods flip, you realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same. 'Nuff said. "The thought sparks fury in her. She's not sure if it's a new feeling, or if it was always there, smothered by fear. But now it burns bright in her blood."
Hart's descriptions of nature are beautiful and remind us to appreciate what grows and lives in a garden. And to take solace and peace from Mother Earth. "For I had begun to suspect that nature, to us, was as much a life force as the very air we breathed."
Weyward is a brilliant, bewitching debut. I can't wait to read what Hart writes next.
Hart's book unfolds through the narrative of three women over the course of five centuries. In 1619, Altha is on trial for witchcraft. In 1942, Violet is virtually a prisoner in
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her family's manor house. And in 2019, Kate is on the run from her life in London.What ties the three together is their family tree and Weyward Cottage. There's more of course, but not all of them are aware yet of their strengths, abilities or what came before.
Hart tells her story in rotating points of view, often ending at a place I couldn't wait to return to. (Makes for lots of late night reading!) And as those time periods flip, you realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same. 'Nuff said. "The thought sparks fury in her. She's not sure if it's a new feeling, or if it was always there, smothered by fear. But now it burns bright in her blood."
Hart's descriptions of nature are beautiful and remind us to appreciate what grows and lives in a garden. And to take solace and peace from Mother Earth. "For I had begun to suspect that nature, to us, was as much a life force as the very air we breathed."
Weyward is a brilliant, bewitching debut. I can't wait to read what Hart writes next.
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LibraryThing member Kathl33n
Beautifully told family history through the narratives of three women from three points in history and I absolutely loved every word. Throughout the timelines you assume the three women are related, but the author unfurls the relationships and their poetic likenesses, through small bits of
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information that plays out slowly as you read. These amazing women and their completely different, yet amazingly similar lives, were exquisitely written with compassion and depth and as a reader I found myself completely engrossed. If you love a witchy book then I wholeheartedly recommend this one goes on your TBR. And how about that cover! It's definitely in my top five favorites. Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy. Show Less
LibraryThing member KallieGrace
I loved this. Three generations from the same line of women with similar stories. The powerful women, the very real trouble they face, and the gentle magical connection they have with nature spin a beautiful tale.
LibraryThing member scmdanforth
WEYWARD is the book that arrived precisely when it was meant to - during Women’s History Month. Our three protagonists, Altha, Violet and Kate, immediately pulled me into their lives, the lives of the Weyward women of Cumbria. Across the centuries, the three women endured unspeakable horrors at
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the hands of the men around them. Unspeakable, but alas not uncommon. In telling their stories across the centuries, Emilia has forged the subtle, and not so subtle, connections between them and their experiences, ones that all women can relate to, even if they’ve never been tried for witchcraft, imprisoned in their own home, or on the run from an abusive partner. Despite these horrific beginnings, each woman comes into her own “power,” her understanding of her own great strength, and her reasons for hope in this cruel world. And the occasional ability to torment their abuser with decades long mayfly infestations. I am at the age where I have a number of friends who are currently pregnant, raising young children, or both, and one in particular has been very into exploring the transitions women make from maiden, to mother, to crone, and how nature roots us all. I couldn’t have imagined a more timely correlation between my conversations with her and the themes Emilia explores in Weyward. Needless to say, I already know of one person I will be enthusiastically recommending Weyward to and I’m sure there will be many more to follow. Show Less
LibraryThing member srms.reads
4.5⭐
In 2019, twenty-nine-year-old Kate Ayres flees London to escape an abusive relationship and finds sanctuary in Weyward Cottage, Crows Beck, Cumbria – a property left for her by her late Aunt Violet. As she embarks on rebuilding her life, her curiosity about the property prompts her to
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research her family history. As she learns more about her incredible legacy and the women who came before her, not only does Kate begin to see herself in a new light but also understands that she too possesses the power to take control of her life just like her ancestors.In 1942, sixteen-year-old Violet Ayres leads a suffocating life in her home at Orton Hall where lives with her father and younger brother. She does not know much about her late mother except for what she overhears in hushed conversations among the household staff. She dreams of becoming a scientist, studying animals and traveling the world. But an unfortunate turn of events finds her cast out of her home, fending for herself alone in a cottage that once belonged to her mother.
In 1619, twenty-one-year-old Altha Weyward, a healer with a deep connection to nature just like her late mother Jennet is on trial after the death of a man in her village. Accused of witchcraft and imprisoned in a dark cell, she waits for the verdict which will seal her fate.
“I am trying to think of where the beginning is. Who decides where things begin and end? I do not know if time moves in a straight line, or a circle. Here, the years do not pass so much as loop back on themselves: winter becomes spring becomes summer becomes autumn becomes winter again. Sometimes I think that all of time is happening at once. So you could say that this story begins now, as I sit down to write it, or you could say that it began when the first Weyward woman was born, so many moons ago.”
Combining elements of women’s fiction, historical fiction and magical realism author Emilia Hart expertly weaves the three different threads of this story into a compelling narrative. The narrative is shared through multiple perspectives. We follow Kate’s story in the present day with separate chapters detailing Violet‘s and Altha’s stories interspersed throughout the novel. Superb characterizations, vivid imagery, atmospheric settings and simple yet elegant writing make for an immersive reading experience. The narrative has strong feminine overtones and though several (not all) of the male characters are unlikable, the author does not indulge in verbose male-bashing or farfetched revenge drama but instead weaves a narrative highlighting the personal growth and resilience of these women and the comfort and strength they harness from their deep connection to nature, that sees them through the adversity they face in their lives. It is sad that despite living centuries apart each of these women had to endure instances of neglect, abuse and oppression. The symbolism of Weyward cottage and how it continues to be a safe haven and a source of strength for the Weyward women through the centuries is particularly significant. This is a story about family, legacy and courage. Emilia Hart’s Weyward is an impressive debut that I would not hesitate to recommend. I also must mention that the cover art for this novel is absolutely stunning.
Many thanks to author Emilia Hart, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Witch. The word slithers from the mouth like a serpent, drips from the tongue as thick and black as tar. We never thought of ourselves as witches, my mother and I. For this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those who speak it, not those it describes. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses.”
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LibraryThing member khoyt
What a wonderful debut. This is a beautiful story of magic and mystery. Wonderful prose keeps the reader turning pages and getting involved in the lives of the heroines in this story. I will read anything Emilia Hart produces in the future.
LibraryThing member rmarcin
3 generations of women tell their story of control by men and how they are connected to each other, and how they overcome.
Altha (1619), Violet (1942), and Kate (2019) have abusive husbands or fathers, or witness abuse of their friends. But, they won't stand for this treatment and call upon their
It is a story of the power of women. Very interesting.
Altha (1619), Violet (1942), and Kate (2019) have abusive husbands or fathers, or witness abuse of their friends. But, they won't stand for this treatment and call upon their
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bonds as Weywards to overcome the abuse and control of their lives. They pass on this knowledge and power to the female descendants in their family. It is a story of the power of women. Very interesting.
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LibraryThing member FerneMysteryReader
Three women tell the reader their story—Altha in 1619, Kate in 2019, and Violet in 1942. Each woman's story is poignant, and there is wonder how their lives are connected across the 5 centuries of storytelling.
Their lives all have the home of Orton Hall, Crows Beck, England, in common.
I found the
I loved the strength of the women, the determination, reaching deep within themselves, confident that the natural world empowers them and that their legacy from the past is greater than the men who wish to control them. I found the women resilient and inspiring. They are women to remember not as characters but as the women who came before us and why their strength can become ours.
The book is rich in quality, from the beautiful cover design, the epigraph, the illustration selection from the natural world to the historical mirror of storytelling to the last quote by Adrienne Rich. A book that is a gift to the reader to experience in every way. It is a book that becomes a unique part of each reader. Once read, always remembered.
Their lives all have the home of Orton Hall, Crows Beck, England, in common.
I found the
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following passage one of the most descriptive of women's past experiences and excruciatingly continues around the world in many different ways today. "We never thought of ourselves as witches, my mother and I. For this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those who speak it, not those it describes. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses. No. It was not a word we ever used." An author's debut that is stunning in storytelling and beautifully written, atmospheric, and immersive. Utilizing multiple POVs across 3 timelines is in itself an exquisite accomplishment. Ease of transition is flawless from one storyteller to another. Each woman's voice is distinctive, and the reader is more invested with each transition. The reader knows the stories will converge but not at what point precisely, yet confident the reveal will be meaningful and riveting.I loved the strength of the women, the determination, reaching deep within themselves, confident that the natural world empowers them and that their legacy from the past is greater than the men who wish to control them. I found the women resilient and inspiring. They are women to remember not as characters but as the women who came before us and why their strength can become ours.
The book is rich in quality, from the beautiful cover design, the epigraph, the illustration selection from the natural world to the historical mirror of storytelling to the last quote by Adrienne Rich. A book that is a gift to the reader to experience in every way. It is a book that becomes a unique part of each reader. Once read, always remembered.
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LibraryThing member MyFathersDragon
The story isn’t the continuous telling of one character. It rotates through three different characters of the Weyward family in three different time periods.
Awards
Caledonia Novel Award (Highly Commended — 2021)
HWA Crown Awards (Longlist — Debut — 2023)
NPR: Books We Love (2023)
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — March 2023)
Language
Original publication date
2023-02-23
Physical description
329 p.; 25 cm
ISBN
9781250280800