8 Mar 2018

A POCKETFUL OF CROWS.


A POCKETFUL OF CROWS by JOANNE HARRIS (With illustrations by BONNIE HELEN HAWKINS).


Love made her a prisoner.

Revenge will set her free.

A modern fairytale of love, loss and revenge.
- Back Cover Blurb

The year it turns, and turns, and turns.
- May Eve

Now I am in everything. Now I am the wind, the rain, the love-knots in the hawthorn tree. Now I am the beetles that will feed on his shroud, come May Day.
-Memorable Moment, Page 219

SOURCE ... A Christmas present from Mr T.

READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No.

MY THOUGHTS ...  A 'fairy tale' with a distinctly Pagan vibe. Traditional and yet modern all at the same time. Definitely not for wee ones, indeed those who like their fairy tales 'disneyfied' may well want to proceed with caution. For myself, one of the most hauntingly beautiful books I have read in a long while.

Revolving around the wheel of the year, the novella covers twelve months in the life of a fourteen year old ... witch? Certainly 'she' - I refer to her as 'she' for as we learn 'a named thing is a tamed thing' - is a traveller, her people being 'the wolves, the hare, the wild bees in the forest'.  

Set apart by her brown skin, her woodland home, her ability to ??? 

Ah! That would be telling. 

At least she is no different from many another lass when it comes to matters of the heart.

The outstanding gold-foil embossed cover, the cleverly woven inclusion of ballads, proverbs and traditional rhymes (those of you familiar with the 'Child Ballads' and in particular its 'The Brown Girl' may well recognise aspects of A Pocketful Of Crows which has its roots in the ballad) and, oh my goodness, those illustrations*.

Rumour has it that a second book, this one based on selkies, is in the pipeline. I certainly hope so.

* View the illustrations here


17 comments:

Kelly said...

While not a genre I read often, you certainly make this sound intriguing - and I do love a novel with good illustrations.

I've read a couple of her books in the past (and enjoyed them) and have two more in my TBR pile. Maybe this will join them, eventually.

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Quite unlike her other books Kelly. I'd be interested in what you thought of it. I hope you took a look at the illustrations as linked to at the end of my post, they are quite something.

Brian Joseph said...

This sounds very good. I tend to really like dark fairy tale like stories. The plot sounds both interesting and atmospheric.

I love the cover. You have made me curious about the illustrations.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Tracy,

I loved the illustrations and artwork, although I doubt that this is one I will read anytime soon, simply because of the genre.

That doesn't stop me appreciating a good descriptive writing style and some lovely words and Joanne is definitely at the top of her game in those departments.

She is certainly adept at 'ringing the changes' with the diversity of genres in which she writes and I think I might enjoy the 'Chocolat' series and the 'French' novels, none of which I have yet read.

Thanks for sharing :)

Yvonne

Suko said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this beautiful gift book, Tracy. Wonderful review, as always!

Natasha said...

This sounds like another one I will have to add to my list, it sounds just like the kind of thing I'd love, especially if there is a fairytale element or theme to it and the cover looks so pretty! great review as always Tracy! - Tasha

Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer said...

This sounds delightful Tracy!

Anonymous said...

Tracy,
What you said in your excellent review
about this dark fairy tale, definitely
piqued my curiosity. And I have added
the book to my list. And I loved the
illustrations!
Raven

Angela said...

I think I read another book by this author, but I have such a bad memory when it comes to the books that I've read that I can't remember for sure.
It sounds like an interesting book!

Melliane said...

It's an author that I really wanted to try so I confess that I'm curious

Karen said...

Nice. You've read (reviewed) a few really good books recently.

Karen @ For What It's Worth

sherry fundin said...

Did someone say Selkies?
sherry @ fundinmental

Lindsi said...

I haven't heard of this one! I love that the next book might be about selkies. You don't read about them too often.

Do You Dog-ear?

Romance Reader said...

Your review made me want to read this book.

Lindsay said...

It sounds like this was a cracking read for you Tracy. This is an author who I think I've only read one book by but always have it in the back of my mind to read some more of hers, in fact you've reminded me I've got one on the tbr pile.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Looks and sounds like a wonderful book!!

Sherry Ellis said...

The cover is certainly lavish! Glad you enjoyed the book.