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The Familiars
- Narrated by: Katy Sobey
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction
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Critic reviews
"Assured and alluring, this beautiful tale of women and witchcraft and the fight against power was a delight from start to finish." (Jessie Burton, best-selling author of The Miniaturist)
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What listeners say about The Familiars
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Rebecca
- 07-08-19
Wonderful book and beautifully read!
Living in Clitheroe so close to Pendle Hill, the stories about the Pendle witches are not just fable, but our vivid history. It was so lovely to hear such a beautiful fictional account of it and so eloquently read too. I will be reading the book as well.
60 people found this helpful
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- R W
- 22-04-19
Captivating
A perfect collaboration between historical accuracy and insightful narrative. I listened to The Familiars on a car trip with my 12 year old daughter. We were both absolutely captivated by this story, brilliantly narrated and written with an insight, passion and flair that is mesmerizing. My daughter loved learning about the Pendle witch trials and I was on the edge of my seat as the plot and characters continued to surprise me with each chapter. Stacey Halls just became my new favourite author, her perfectly smooth and sharp hand is beyond anything I have read for ages.
48 people found this helpful
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- Chevonne Hobbs
- 23-05-19
A wonderful tale of mysteries that gently unfold.
A lovely novel and a number of moments that are brilliantly articulated that makes you feel like you're in the room with the characters. Moments that will make you feel gobsmacked and some that make you cry as you feel the emotion.
42 people found this helpful
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- claudib00
- 19-06-19
Great story based loosely on reality, I enjoyed
loved it and couldn't wait to find out what happened in the end. recommended light read
28 people found this helpful
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- Jo
- 11-08-19
Great read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The narration was brilliant. I’m fascinated by this part of history and so this was right up my street.
I loved Fleetwood and Alice. This book really portrays strong women and bravery and determination. The same struggles that have gone on throughout history. It also shows the greed of some men for power. If you’re interested in the Pendle witches and history, then you’ll enjoy this book.
24 people found this helpful
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- Mary Ann
- 16-04-19
Simply wonderful!
I really enjoyed listening to this book and kept going back for more chapters until I finished it in a couple of days. I know the story of the Pendle Witches and have visited Pendle Hill and read factual books on the trials and also was lucky enough to meet the fascinating Simon Entwhistle who is an expert on the subject. This book is historically accurate and the author has done her research very well and ended up with a story that, although fiction, is based on historical reality and thus entirely believable. The characters are very well portrayed as was the era which was a difficult time for women. As a first novel it's excellent and I will keep an eye out for more from this author. Simply wonderful.
17 people found this helpful
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- SuzieC
- 14-04-19
Storytelling at its best
A Beautifully written book; the writer is gifted in the art of storytelling and I was thoroughly impressed with the way that historical fact and some authentic fiction were intertwined. A delight to read (despite the Sad subject matter) as the writing is compelling. I thought that the role of women in society was fascinating and drew many comparisons with today. I shall seek out more from this author
33 people found this helpful
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- Bel
- 22-08-19
Great book, wonderful narration
A wonderful book about a horrible time and affair. Katy Sobey does a great job narrating it. It drew me in right from the start, and it made me look up the Pendle witches.I may read Thomas Potts's "The Discovery of Witches" next.
I love it when a book educates me while entertaining and fascinating me at the same time.
This novel certainly scores high on all accounts.
If you're interested in a very dark age,read this book (or rather listen to it).
11 people found this helpful
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- Musebeliever
- 08-08-20
Bleak story and coward ending.
I was surprised by the hollowness of the book and the cowardice of the author in the last two chapters. Some characters get an easy redemption for the sake of a heteronormative ending. Do not expect a book about witchcraft either. Heroine is barely bearable.
8 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 10-06-19
Great story
Really good audiobook I was hooked from the start. Great twist at the end which I did not expect!
14 people found this helpful