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The Familiars
- Narrated by: Katy Sobey
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
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The Familiars
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Summary
Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 years old, married, and pregnant for the fourth time. But as the mistress at Gawthorpe Hall, she still has no living child, and her husband Richard is anxious for an heir. When Fleetwood finds a letter she isn't supposed to read from the doctor who delivered her third stillbirth, she is dealt the crushing blow that she will not survive another pregnancy.
Then she crosses paths by chance with Alice Gray, a young midwife. Alice promises to help her give birth to a healthy baby, and to prove the physician wrong.
As Alice is drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the North-West, Fleetwood risks everything by trying to help her. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye?
Soon the two women's lives will become inextricably bound together as the legendary trial at Lancaster approaches, and Fleetwood's stomach continues to grow. Time is running out, and both their lives are at stake.
Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.
Stacey Halls is the Winner of the Women's Prize Futures Award for her novel Mrs England.
'Assured and alluring, this beautiful tale of women and witchcraft and the fight against power was a delight from start to finish' Jessie Burton, bestselling 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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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
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33 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jessica wight
- 07-09-19
Thrilling read
Loved the performance with decent accents and character voices.
The story is a thrilling read that had me needing breaks for fear of the characters. But the ending is exciting and I highly recommend for any historical fiction lover.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michelle Dixon
- 02-07-20
EXCELLENT
I THOUGHT THAT THE FAMILIARS WAS A REALLY GOOD BOOK. I DIDN'T WANT TO STOP LISTENING TO IT.
IT WAS REALLY WELL WRITTEN.
I HAVE PUT IT WITH MY FAVOURITES. 5 STARS. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF A SEQUEL
COULD BE WRITTEN.
BRILLIANT NARRATION.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- NMcD
- 31-08-19
Gripping ..
I was pulled straight in to this story that is based on some historical events. It was a great performance . Can't wait to hear/read more.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ella
- 30-08-19
the best book I've heard in years
Abolutely captivating and beautifully written. A tale of women and tenderness against a harsh society.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- glynis brown
- 29-08-19
had me gripped from the start
I have been obssesd with the pendle witches forever and this book was Amazing. Thanks
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- K. Bridges
- 29-06-20
Interesting take on the Pendle witches
Having lived in Lancashire for the last 16 years, I do love a tale of the Pendle witches. The Familiars is a clever take on real people from the time, cleverly woven into the natural landscape of distrust. I loved Fleetwood Shuttleworth’s bravery and the way that she fought for her family and her friend despite the opposition of the men around her. This is a really well written and well read story and I enjoyed it very much.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lilly
- 10-06-20
A fantastic novel, loved this from start to finish
The pendle witch trials helped build the atmosphere and set the tone of the book. The scope and gravity of the trials (particularly to those who don't know about them and this period of witch hunting in England) is revealed over time in the book, as the main characters are drawn deeper into their own misfortunes. The suspense of if, when and how the characters are going to be drawn into the witch trials keeps the reader hooked. The main female characters are written beautifully and are both of their time and before their time. This allows a modern reader to connect to them, and feel the suspense and threat that hangs over these characters throughout the story. A fantastic novel, I loved this from start to finish. The historical setting of the Pendle witch trials and this book has made me more curious about this moment in History. The characters and atmosphere were gripping and drew me in from the beginning. Read expertly by Kate Sobey.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- sarah
- 08-06-20
slow but beautiful
a very slow book but very peaceful and beautiful.
wish there was more witchcraft and mystery
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anna Sinclair
- 16-12-20
Wonderful
I really enjoyed this book.
Historically accurate with a fictional twist.
The details and charming accents added to the authenticity of the story.
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