Tidelands

In 1648 England, Alinor Reekie lives as a midwife and herbalist in the tidelands of Sussex during the English Civil War. A widow struggling to support her two children, she exists on the margins of her small community where suspicion and superstition run deep. The arrival of a stranger seeking shelter intertwines with Alinor's life as political and religious tensions escalate in the broader conflict between Parliamentarians and Royalists. Her status as a woman with knowledge of healing puts her in an increasingly precarious position as accusations begin to circulate. The tidelands themselves - neither sea nor shore - mirror the liminal space Alinor occupies in her society as she navigates between classes, between old and new beliefs, and between safety and danger. The novel brings to life a period when women's autonomy and wisdom could mark them as either valued healers or dangerous witches. The story examines questions of power, faith, and survival in a time of upheaval, while exploring how gender and class determined the boundaries of possibility in seventeenth-century England.

Readers note the detailed historical atmosphere and vivid descriptions of life in 1640s England. Many point to Gregory's portrayal of poverty, herb lore, and tidal marsh living conditions as highlights. Readers appreciated: - Accurate period details about midwifery and folk medicine - Strong female protagonist dealing with real historical constraints - Rich descriptions of the landscape and natural environment Common criticisms: - Slower pacing compared to Gregory's royal court novels - Romance subplot feels forced to some readers - Repetitive descriptions of daily activities - Abrupt ending that leaves questions unanswered Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (28,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (5,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) "The level of research into 17th century healing practices and daily life is impressive," notes one Amazon reviewer, while a Goodreads review states "the plot meanders too much through mundane details before reaching any real action."

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🌊 The novel's setting, the tidelands of Sussex, was a real and treacherous landscape where the boundary between land and sea shifted constantly, making it a perfect hiding place for fugitives during the English Civil War. 👑 Author Philippa Gregory, best known for her Tudor Court novels, made a significant departure with "Tidelands," choosing to focus on common people rather than royalty for the first time in her career. ⚔️ The book takes place in 1648, during a pivotal moment when King Charles I was held prisoner on the Isle of Wight, just across the water from where the story unfolds. 🌿 The protagonist's knowledge of herbal medicine reflects the authentic practices of 17th-century wise women, who were often mistakenly accused of witchcraft during this period. 📚 "Tidelands" is the first book in Gregory's Fairmile series, marking her first venture into writing a multi-generational family saga spanning several centuries.