Summary
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness blends elements of fantasy, romance, and historical fiction to create a unique world where vampires, witches, and demons live hidden among humans. Launching Harkness's All Souls trilogy in 2011, this inventive novel introduced readers to Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch and scholar who uncovers an enchanted alchemical manuscript. Harkness, a historian, drew on her academic background to infuse the story with fascinating details about alchemy, genetics, and the occult. This scholarly approach, combined with a forbidden supernatural romance, earned comparisons to works by Anne Rice and Diana Gabaldon.
Plot
A Discovery of Witches unfolds against a backdrop of historical intrigue and scientific discovery, blending elements of fantasy, romance, and academic pursuit. While conducting research at Oxford's Bodleian Library, Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch, inadvertently calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript known as Ashmole 782. This discovery sets off a chain of events that draws supernatural creatures to the library, as the long-lost book is coveted by witches, vampires, and daemons alike. Despite her attempts to avoid magic, Diana finds herself at the center of a brewing conflict in the supernatural world.
Enter Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist and vampire, who has been searching for Ashmole 782 for centuries. Driven by both scientific curiosity and a desire to protect his colleague, Matthew forms an alliance with Diana. As they work together to unravel the mystery of the manuscript, their relationship deepens into a forbidden romance that challenges long-standing taboos between witches and vampires.
As Diana begins to embrace her magical heritage, she discovers latent powers that have long been dormant. With Matthew's help, she starts to explore and develop these abilities, realizing that she may be far more powerful than she ever imagined. Meanwhile, the pair must navigate the complex politics of the supernatural world, facing opposition from witches, vampires, and other creatures who seek to possess Ashmole 782.
Diana and Matthew's quest to understand the secrets of Ashmole 782 leads them on a journey that not only threatens to upend the delicate balance between supernatural species but also challenges their own identities and the very nature of their existence.
Themes
Forbidden romance
Rediscovery of heritage and abilities
Conflict between science and magic
Power of knowledge and ancient texts
Coexistence of supernatural creatures in the human world
Quest for origins and identity
Breaking with tradition and overcoming prejudice
Setting
A Discovery of Witches is set in the present day, primarily in Oxford, England. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the historic University of Oxford, with much of the action taking place in and around the prestigious Bodleian Library. This venerable institution serves as a critical nexus for the plot, housing the mysterious manuscript, Ashmole 782, which sets the story in motion.
As the story progresses, readers are taken to various locations across Europe, including France and Venice. These international settings add depth and intrigue to the narrative, providing a broader context for the novel’s magical world, a hidden realm of supernatural creatures. Vampires, witches, and daemons coexist alongside humans, maintaining a delicate balance in modern society. This juxtaposition of the mundane and the magical creates a rich, multi-layered setting that serves as a compelling backdrop for the unfolding drama between Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont.
Characters
Diana Bishop: The protagonist, a historian and reluctant witch. While studying alchemy at Oxford University, Diana discovers a magical manuscript that sets off a chain of events, forcing her to confront her supernatural heritage. Fiercely independent and highly intelligent, she gradually learns to embrace her powers.
Matthew Clairmont: A centuries-old vampire and geneticist. Matthew becomes deeply involved with Diana after the discovery of the manuscript. He is protective, charming, and complex, with a wealth of historical knowledge due to his long life. Matthew's relationship with Diana challenges long-standing taboos between vampires and witches.
Sarah Bishop: Diana's aunt and a powerful witch. Sarah raised Diana after the death of her parents and is fiercely protective of her. She is skeptical of Matthew at first but eventually becomes an ally.
Emily Mather: Sarah's partner and also a witch. Emily is more open-minded than Sarah and often serves as a mediator between Diana and her aunt.
Ysabeau de Clermont: Matthew's vampire mother. Ysabeau is formidable and fiercely loyal to her son. While initially hostile, she eventually warms to Diana.
Marcus Whitmore: Matthew's vampire son and a geneticist. Marcus is youthful in appearance but centuries old. He becomes a friend and ally to Diana.
Miriam Shephard: A vampire and scientist who works with Matthew. Miriam is highly intelligent and initially wary of Diana but becomes a valuable ally.
Hamish Osborne: A daemon and Matthew's close friend. Hamish is a financial wizard and provides support to Matthew and Diana throughout their journey.
Domenico Michele: A vampire and member of the Congregation. Domenico is antagonistic towards Matthew and Diana's relationship and poses a threat to their safety.
Satu Järvinen: A powerful and dangerous witch who becomes an enemy to Diana. Satu is ruthless in her pursuit of magical knowledge and power.
Quick facts
A Discovery of Witches began as a “thought experiment” after Deborah Harkness noticed many vampire novels at an airport bookshop.
Harkness claims she had not read Twilight or other popular vampire fiction before writing the book.
Harkness wrote the novel in the early mornings before her day job teaching at the University of Southern California.
The Bodleian Library at Oxford, where much of the book is set, is a real place where Harkness has done research.
Ashmole 782, the magical manuscript in the book, is based on a real missing alchemical text from the Ashmole collection.
A Discovery of Witches debuted at #2 on The New York Times bestseller list.
The novel is the first in the All Souls trilogy, followed by Shadow of Night and The Book of Life.
A Discovery of Witches has been translated into more than 38 languages.
Warner Bros. purchased the film rights in 2011, though a movie was never produced.
A Discovery of Witches was adapted into a television series by Sky One. Starring Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode, the series premiered in 2018 and ran for three seasons.
About the Author
Deborah Harkness is an American scholar and novelist. Her foray into fiction began in 2011 with A Discovery of Witches, introducing her All Souls series. The bestselling trilogy, which includes Shadow of Night and The Book of Life, has been translated into 38 languages and adapted into a popular television series. Her latest novel, The Black Bird Oracle, further expands the rich world she created.
Born in 1965 near Philadelphia, Harkness holds degrees from Mount Holyoke College, Northwestern University, and the University of California, Davis. Her academic background in history and science has significantly influenced her writing. As a professor of history at the University of Southern California, she has received numerous accolades, including Fulbright, Guggenheim, and National Humanities Center fellowships. Her scholarly work includes publications on topics such as the influence of theatrical conventions on occult sciences and female medical practice in early modern London. Her most recent scholarly work is The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution.
Beyond her writing and academic pursuits, Harkness is an executive producer for the television adaptation of A Discovery of Witches. She lives in Southern California with her longtime partner, Karen Halttunen.
