The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
- Narrated by:
- Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins
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- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:06-09-09
- Publisher: Hyperion AudioBooks
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Audible Editor Reviews
A darkly quirky tale with enough twists and turns to make a tornado seem like a gentle rainfall, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane will keep you on the edge of your seat. The suspense is due partly, of course, to debut novelist Katherine Howe's frequent cliffhangers (who knew a story with frequent library scenes could be so compelling!), but it's also due to narrator Katherine Kellgren's expert inflections and pacing. A master of accents and tone, Kellgren's skills are put to good use in this tale that flashes back and forth between the academic world of Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1991 and the Puritanical one of Salem, Massachusetts 300 years earlier. You believe her equally as young Ph.D. candidate Connie Goodwin, embittered sextagenarian academic Manning Chilton, and the cold judges and hysterical accusers of the Salem Witch Trials.
Authors and historians (Howe is both) learned long ago that any account of the Salem Witch Trials offers a mesmerizing narrative. But Howe takes the conceit one step further. As Connie, read by Kellgren in a perfectly-cast sing-songy voice, begins considering her dissertation in American Colonial studies in earnest, she must move to her grandmother's thoroughly unmodern house for the summer. While there, a mysterious key and a piece of paper with the name Deliverance Dane drops out of a family Bible. In flashbacks to the 1690s, we learn of the real Deliverance Dane's life as a town healer and, ultimately, her conviction of practicing witchcraft. Meanwhile, back in the 20th century, we follow Connie's exhaustive search for Deliverance's elusive journal — of recipes, of witchcraft, she doesn't know — first for academic reasons then to save the life of her love interest. Along the way, as Kellgren's narration gets faster, louder, raspier, and stronger, we, like Connie, discover that perhaps there really were some magical women in Salem then, and now. —Kelly Marages
Publisher's Summary
Connie is looking forward to starting work on her graduate thesis over the summer, when her mother asks her to sell an abandoned house once owned by her grandmother in Salem, Mass. Relunctantly, Connie moves to the small town and inhabits the crumbling, ancient house, trying to restore it to a semblance of order.
Curious things start to happen when Connie finds the name "Deliverance Dane" on a yellowed scrap of paper inside an old Bible, and begins to have visions of a long ago woman condemned for practicing "physick," or herbal healing, on her neighbors in 1690s Salem.
Interspersed with modern-day sections are chapters on the actual witch trials, revealing the fascinating story of Deliverance Dane and how she got caught up in the tragic events. Connie meets an intriguing young steeplejack named Sam, who's also interested in the history of the area. But just as Connie starts to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding Deliverance's identity, Sam has a horrifying accident, and Connie has to figure out a way to save him that involves an ancient and mystical cure. And to do that, she needs to locate the actual "physick book" once owned by Deliverance Dane herself.
Immediately compelling, with powerful historic insight and detail, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane is that rare find - a literary first novel with a very commercial premise and pacing.
©2009 Katherine Howe; (P)2009 Hyperion
What the Critics Say
"In all, a keen and magical historical mystery laced with romance and sly digs at society's persistent underestimation of women." (Booklist)
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What Members Say
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"Wonderful"
I really enjoyed this one. I saw it on the summer reading list in Real Simple and decided to check it out. I found myself getting excited to listen to this one and couldn't wait to get back to it every time I put it away. Great narration as well.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Kathryn WATERFORD, MI, United States 09-23-09 Member Since 2008
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 13
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 39
- 5
"Fun for fall but a bit predictable."
I enjoyed this story, it was a fun listen especially heading in to the autumn but either I am an especially cunning listener or the story was a bit obvious. Still just because you figure out the mystery pretty early on it doesn't make it less interesting to listen to. The historical aspect was very interesting and (I have no idea but guessed) was well researched.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"very slow"
I had to fast forward, used lots of words to basically say nothing and not add anything to the plot. The book went at a snails pace and then went nowhere.I was very disappointed, seemed like it would have been better.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"Good idea bad execution"
The idea for this novel was good it's the way it is carried out that is a problem.The parallel story lines opened the story to a lot of repetition which quickly bothered me as I listened to this audiobook.The writer Kathrine Howe is also overdescribes when it really isn't necessary . I didn't really like the lead character Connie either . She was as other reviewers have wrote is dumb for a PHD candiate. For me honestly there were no characters that I cared about .It made it hard for me to get through the book.The author did a through job of researching the history of the witch trails that you can hear throughout the only really interesting story of the colonial witches.The endings for both stories were somewhat predictable. Overall this book is just okay ,nothing too exciting or mentally demanding.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful -
Glori-Read 08-28-09Glori-Read 08-28-09To read, to dream, to love, to experience, to aspire...
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 81
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 126
- 45
"Fun read."
Enjoyed the story. It proves that books can be good without descriptive violence. As witch books go it is one of the best. I would love to read more books by this author that are bound to be better than a 1st book.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Nice summer reading"
I enjoyed this book and hearing about the history surrounding the Salem Witch trials. This was an easy book to follow and so was a good book to carry along while I did other things.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"A Decent Summer Read (Listen)"
The historical part of the story was well written and provided an interesting take on the Salem Witch Trials. However, the characters and events in the modern day part of the story were VERY contrived, making the whole story a little silly, in my opinion. That being said, the book served its purpose as a fun diversion on a seemingly endless summer driving trip.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"A little slow at beginning"
It started out a little slow but picked up towards the end. Although unfortunately it was predictable towards the end. I usually don't enjoy witches and spells but this wasn't over done with some well written historical scenes mixed in.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful -
"Not really worth it."
I didn't care for the music at the start of each chapter. The narrator also made all the characters share the same tones of emotion to their voice, which made it hard to get a compete picture of each individual. (some of that could also be the writing ) Its a cool story but lacks strong characters with the only exception being the main antagonist.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful -
"Great read!"
This book is full of readable twists and true-to-history fiction... loved it.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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