The Witch
The Witch
In this important new novel, Miss Johnston goes back to the field of some of her earlier successes -- the spacious Elizabethan times. The story opens in the death chamber of the great Queen, and with that uncanny power of historic resurrection of which Miss Johnston is master, the reader is made to feel the great issues that are hanging in the balance, -- issues of thought and faith within England itself, issues of imperialistic destiny in the great colonies overseas.The two chief characters are Joan Heron, a beautiful girl of strong, original nature, and Dr. Aderhold, a thinker in advance of his time. As the plot develops, not only is Aderhold suspected of atheism and unholy practices in the black art, but Joan is accused of witchcraft. They are arrested, and sentenced to death, but escape, and take ship for Virginia. As the voyage progresses, her sex and identity are suspected, and she and Aderhold are cast adrift in an open boat. This catastrophe, however, is not final, and in the Bahamas and later in England, the story comes to its impressive ending.As a historic picture, the story is exceptionally strong, and perhaps the impression that will live longest is that of the marvelous Elizabethan world of adventure, controversy, passion, and vital personality.
Book Excerpt
some one who looked pompous and authoritative like a petty magistrate, others less patent, and the owner of the arm still insolently stretched across his book.
The latter now removed the arm. "So ho! Master Scholar, your Condescension returns from the moon after we've halloaed ourselves hoarse! What devil of a book carried you aloft like that?"
Aderhold decided to be as placating as possible. "It is, sir, the 'Chirurgia Magna' of Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim, called Paracelsus.'*
The red and blue man was determined to bully. "The Cap and Bells has under consideration the state of the Realm. The Cap and Bells has addressed itself to you three times, requesting your opinion upon grave matters. First you deign no answer at all, and finally you insult us with trivialities! 'S death! are you an Englishman, sir?"
"As English as you, sir," answered Aderhold; "though, in truth, seeing that I have lived abroad some years and am but lately returned, my English manners may have somewh
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Highly entertaining Historical Fiction set in England after the death of Elizabeth I. The protagonists are unjustly accused of witchcraft, sorcery, and apostasy. The characters, including the villains are well drawn; the writing is excellent. The story is hard to put down. Even when facing certain death, the love of the main characters transcends the surrounding world of intolerance and hatred. The novel is possibly one of the most romantic stories I have ever read.
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