The Glass Woman review
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Just finished this book today. I was reluctant to read it at first but I was pulled in, by the beauty of the writing, the vivid portrayals of the unforgiving land of Iceland in the 16th Century, and the sensitive depiction of the characters, with all their flaws and apprehensions. She builds a believable picture of how people lived in small settlements, and scratched livings from the sea and the land as best they could. The power of gossip and fear of strangers, of any difference and the merging of the old beliefs of witchcraft, with the comparatively new religion, Christianity, weaves a powerful sense of the fears that stalked every day of every life. The powerlessness of women and girls who are schooled to 'be obedient'...in order to be judged as good wives leaps off the page. Most of all Caroline Lea depicts the harshest of pictires of the weather, the stiflng snow, the sea, the ice, and which can swallow anyone and leave no trace.
I think I'll read it again now to see how she weaves the magic!
I think I'll read it again now to see how she weaves the magic!
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