The White Witch

I'm just finishing reading my 42nd Goudge book, so I can definitely say that this novel is one of her best. It is set in during the English Civil War (mid 1600's) and is a very interesting read. The war was fought between the Royalist (those who backed King Charles I, mostly Anglicans and Catholics) and the Parlimentarians (lead by the Puritans and later Oliver Cromwell). Its themes of self-sacrifice, humility v. pride, loyalty, friendship & love make it a decidedly Christian book. It is also filled with gypsy, fairy, magic and herbal lore from ages past. Only Goudge can combine these seemingly contradictory elements into such a compellingly unified story.

The time in history was violent and filled with war. There was mention of noted theologians and church leaders but I felt that all the characters were touched on too briefly.

This novel is set amidst a turbulent time in history, the English Civil War. The main character Froniga is a healer, an independent woman in tune with nature. Froniga is "The White Witch" of the title.This is a beautifully written, gently unfolding novel of good versus evil, spirituality, and the immeasurable toll of a Civil War that divided families and communities. The prose, as others have noted already is lyrical and emotive.If you enjoy this period in history, then this is well worth a look at.

I read this book when I was in high school (about 45 years ago). It's just as good as it was then, and perhaps more interesting from an adult point of view. The history is accurate regarding the conflict between the Cavaliers and the Roundheads and Ms Goudge makes the period come alive. This book influenced my interests in herb lore, herb gardening and herbal and alternative medicine integrated with main stream medicine. For a good story and a look at England in the time of Charles I, and to learn a little, too, read this book!

As with every book I have read by Elizabeth Goudge, I treasured every minute I was reading it. She writes poetry in prose. The characters were charming and the history fasinating. Would recommend this book highly along with any other of her books.

I am a long time fan of Elizabeth Goudge. She is better known for her books Green Dolphin Street and The Child from the Sea than for this one, but I found this very readable and very engrossing. Goudge is good with her history, and she tells a fascinating story.

This book illustrated the dilemmas of both sides during a difficult time in English History while still developing enjoyable and believable characters.

It's Elizabeth Goudge..enough said. If you know her, you get it. If you havent read her yet, lucky you!!

Excellent historical fiction novel by one of my favourite writers.

One of my favourite authors excels herself in this historical novel full of the beauties of nature and the journeys of the characters' souls. I'm transported into that world.

I read the White Witch many years ago, having loved Elizabeth Goudge's "The Little White Horse" when I was a child. recently I re-read The White Witch after purchasing a copy for my Kindle and it was as powerful and beautifully written as I had remembered. The depth of historical detail and language only adds to the intricate tapestry of this book and as with the Little White Horse, there is magic - but here it is interwoven with quite profound and unexpected descriptions of the emotional and spiritual journey of the characters.The characters are challenged deeply on many levels and there is a hard-won growth and strengthening of each that arises from the grim situations they pass through or witness. It is definitely not a light read as many of the gruelling aspects of the English Civil War and life in those times, are witnessed through the eyes of those in this book and it doesn't make for comfortable reading.Because of my personal interests I loved all the details of Froniga's garden and the wild plants and herbs she used - this was an added magical detail (similar to the descriptions of the wise woman's garden in the children's book "The Armourer's Hour" by Rosemary Sutcliffe.). There are many love stories running through this book - but not the normal boy meets girl, man meets woman and eventually their love triumphs.... here the love stories are more real and there is much loss and many twists of fate as a deeper kind of love prevails and is created.A rare book with extraordinary depth - both subtle and powerful in it's descriptive passages, particularly those describing the emotional experiences and spiritual redemptive experiences of it's individual characters. I've never read anything like it, before or since.....

Having previously read and enjoyed The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge, a charming book for children, I decided to read The White Witch, a novel intended for older readers. This is a beautifully written book detailing the lives of the Haselwood family and through them various other characters during the English civil war years of 1642-1643. A large part of the story is seen through the eyes of Froniga Haselwood (the white witch of the title) and John Loggin, a royalist spy and cavalry officer. They, and the other characters, who make up the rich and colourful tapestry of the story, are portrayed with very great realism, their faults and virtues equally described as the story unfolds and they work their way through the heartbreak and bleakness of the civil war. I could not put this book down, it was a wonderful and highly satisfying read.

I’d not read The White Witch for about forty years. It was even better than I remembered. If you’ve never read Elizabeth Goodge before, start here!