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Blue Hawk
17th century Gloucestershire. Joan, the daughter of a millworker with drink-fuelled pipe dreams, is thrust into her family's battle against poverty. With her father's legacy tarnished, Joan steps into his place, mastering the art of cloth-dying to save her family from destitution and restore their lost honor.
But Joan's exceptional skill challenges her community's rigid conventions--and stirs whispers of witchcraft. Her lonely endeavours are further shadowed by marital strife and a complex rivalry with her sister, Alice, fueled by jealousy and long-standing grievances.
But Joan's exceptional skill challenges her community's rigid conventions--and stirs whispers of witchcraft. Her lonely endeavours are further shadowed by marital strife and a complex rivalry with her sister, Alice, fueled by jealousy and long-standing grievances.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 31, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 14, 2024
It's the 1600s and Joan lives in poverty with her older sister and their father in Gloucestershire England. She masters the art of cloth-dying to try and save her family and restore their lost honor, but her exceptional skill challenges the community's rigid conventions and stirs whispers of witchcraft. Her endeavours are further obstructed by marital strife and a complex rivalry with her sister Alice, fueled by jealousy and long-standing grievances.
This is an interesting story as we follow Joan trying to gain a foothold in the male-dominated world of the textile industry. Descriptions of the process of using various plants, flowers and even insects to achieve colourful materials for clothing and accessories were mind-boggling, so labour intensive that you'd wonder why anyone would persevere. I don't think I've read many books that take place in the 17th century but life sounds very uncomfortable for the general population. Another century in which I'm glad I didn't live. I learned many new words and terms which relate to the various facets of the textile industry. I'm sure I won't remember them but it was quite an education. I absolutely love the cover. I'd like a quilt or a wall-hanging with that pattern. Rated 4.5 and I'm rounding up because it's important history.
My thanks to Deixis Press via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this historical novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 17, 2024
This is an interesting story as we follow Joan trying to gain a foothold in the male-dominated world of the textile industry. Descriptions of the process of using various plants, flowers and even insects to achieve colourful materials for clothing and accessories were mind-boggling, so labour intensive that you'd wonder why anyone would persevere. I don't think I've read many books that take place in the 17th century but life sounds very uncomfortable for the general population. Another century in which I'm glad I didn't live. I learned many new words and terms which relate to the various facets of the textile industry. I'm sure I won't remember them but it was quite an education. I absolutely love the cover. I'd like a quilt or a wall-hanging with that pattern. Rated 4.5 and I'm rounding up because it's important history.
My thanks to Deixis Press via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this historical novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 17, 2024
July 20, 2024
Blue Hawk is an historical fiction set in 17th century Gloucestershire, England amid the cottage industry of textile workers into which Joan was born along with her older sister, Alice. Their mother had died some time before the beginning of this novel leaving their father less and less able to cope with work tasks and increasingly taking to drink. Joan and Alice assisted with the weaving at home while their father did the procuring of goods and selling of end products. Only Joan seemed totally invested and capable in all of these tasks— and she also had a dream to increase her knowledge and skills to dye their cloth making it even more salable.
But women in that time did not direct the course of any trades, even cottage industries run in their homes. So her ideas had to run through the man, or men, in her life. Blue Hawk is Joan, it is the story of her life, the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows. I felt as if I was reading of people who lived in that time which I believe reflects the author’s research into those few women of Gloucestershire who did manage to work in the textile industry in those days. I also enjoyed using the dictionary function on my kindle to investigate the names of various plants used in making dyes, names that were new to me but old in English!
I recommend this novel for all who enjoy historical fiction, and stories on the lives of women at various times in history.
Thank you to Deixis Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
But women in that time did not direct the course of any trades, even cottage industries run in their homes. So her ideas had to run through the man, or men, in her life. Blue Hawk is Joan, it is the story of her life, the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows. I felt as if I was reading of people who lived in that time which I believe reflects the author’s research into those few women of Gloucestershire who did manage to work in the textile industry in those days. I also enjoyed using the dictionary function on my kindle to investigate the names of various plants used in making dyes, names that were new to me but old in English!
I recommend this novel for all who enjoy historical fiction, and stories on the lives of women at various times in history.
Thank you to Deixis Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
March 11, 2024
Blue Hawk by Chloe Turner blew me away. As a debut novel, it is powerful, insightful and highly polished and celebrates the tenacity and fortitude of a woman faced with extreme adversity in a time where help without a price was not an option
Joan lives in 17th century Gloucestershire, but when the actions of her drunken millworker father force the family toward poverty and destitution, Joan decides to take action to save them and their reputation. However, no woman in these times should be able to create the colours and shades in cloth that she is creating? Fingers start pointing, she must be a witch!
Exceptional research and great authenticity transports the reader to another era, where life was completely different, and women were no more than chattell. The story follows the impending demise of a family, the bitterness and jealousies, the be pettiness and strife and it is written with such eloquence and clarity that I could almost be in the room
Absolutely outstanding
Thank you to Netgalley, Deixis Press and the author Chloe Turner for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Joan lives in 17th century Gloucestershire, but when the actions of her drunken millworker father force the family toward poverty and destitution, Joan decides to take action to save them and their reputation. However, no woman in these times should be able to create the colours and shades in cloth that she is creating? Fingers start pointing, she must be a witch!
Exceptional research and great authenticity transports the reader to another era, where life was completely different, and women were no more than chattell. The story follows the impending demise of a family, the bitterness and jealousies, the be pettiness and strife and it is written with such eloquence and clarity that I could almost be in the room
Absolutely outstanding
Thank you to Netgalley, Deixis Press and the author Chloe Turner for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
August 3, 2024
BLUE HAWK - CHLOE TURNER
It's not every day that I'll start a book and realise that it's set in the EXACT location my family and I lived in during our last 2 years in the UK. That in itself was incredibly special, on top of all the other things I loved about Blue Hawk. Here's a synopsis:
17th century Gloucestershire. Joan, the daughter of a millworker with drink-fuelled pipe dreams, is thrust into her family's battle against poverty. With her father's legacy tarnished, Joan steps into his place, mastering the art of cloth-dyeing to save her family from destitution and restore their lost honour.
I read a lot of different types of historical fiction following all sorts of lives - kings, queens, famous adventurers - but some of my favourite novels in the genre follow the lives of absolutely ordinary people of the time. And this is where Joan and most of the characters in Blue Hawk reside.
The story follows Joan as she tries to survive within a male-dominated world, both at home and specifically within the textiles industry. The 17th-century processes behind the latter are absolutely fascinating and Chloe Turner painstakingly brings these and the Gloucestershire landscapes to life in vivid detail, so much so that I felt I was transported back to be a small part of Joan's journey.
I felt like I was experiencing the highs and the tragic lows right along with Joan, and found the complexity of her relationships with those around her to be realistic and refreshing. I didn't know what to expect when I started Blue Hawk, but I know that I'll be thinking about this book and its characters for a long time to come.
Review score: 5/5
TW: Death, illness, grief
Find more of my reviews on IG at @kasha_is_reading
It's not every day that I'll start a book and realise that it's set in the EXACT location my family and I lived in during our last 2 years in the UK. That in itself was incredibly special, on top of all the other things I loved about Blue Hawk. Here's a synopsis:
17th century Gloucestershire. Joan, the daughter of a millworker with drink-fuelled pipe dreams, is thrust into her family's battle against poverty. With her father's legacy tarnished, Joan steps into his place, mastering the art of cloth-dyeing to save her family from destitution and restore their lost honour.
I read a lot of different types of historical fiction following all sorts of lives - kings, queens, famous adventurers - but some of my favourite novels in the genre follow the lives of absolutely ordinary people of the time. And this is where Joan and most of the characters in Blue Hawk reside.
The story follows Joan as she tries to survive within a male-dominated world, both at home and specifically within the textiles industry. The 17th-century processes behind the latter are absolutely fascinating and Chloe Turner painstakingly brings these and the Gloucestershire landscapes to life in vivid detail, so much so that I felt I was transported back to be a small part of Joan's journey.
I felt like I was experiencing the highs and the tragic lows right along with Joan, and found the complexity of her relationships with those around her to be realistic and refreshing. I didn't know what to expect when I started Blue Hawk, but I know that I'll be thinking about this book and its characters for a long time to come.
Review score: 5/5
TW: Death, illness, grief
Find more of my reviews on IG at @kasha_is_reading
August 13, 2024
A wonderful journey of a woman's struggles in the men's cloth & dyeing business world, it is also an insightful story of family, jealousy, pettiness, and friendship.
My complete review: https://klasikfanda.blogspot.com/2024...
My complete review: https://klasikfanda.blogspot.com/2024...
May 1, 2024
Thank you to Deixis Press and Netgalley for sharing a advance copy of this book.
5/5 ✨
Have I not given up enough, she demanded, though only inside her head
Two simpkins, faces slick with sugar dust, and not a thought for the future between them
I was completely blown over by this book. I loved the way the story was crafted, capturing the essence of the era where men had all the power and women were ridiculed whenever they had opinions. I LOVED the prose, especially the passages detailing the art of cloth-dying, which painted a mesmerizing picture and it's always wonderful to read a historical fiction that's well researched.
I loved reading Joan's journey, her struggle against her father who was unhelpful at best, and her sister who she could have done without and an husband who's sweet but not without faults of his own. Joan's love for colours leapt off the page at times for me, infusing the narrative with happiness, heartbreak, love and sorrow that only enriched the story. I can't believe it's a debut novel for this author, the storytelling and the stunning prose exuded a confidence that I don't normally find in debut novels. Loved every second of reading this book!
5/5 ✨
Have I not given up enough, she demanded, though only inside her head
Two simpkins, faces slick with sugar dust, and not a thought for the future between them
I was completely blown over by this book. I loved the way the story was crafted, capturing the essence of the era where men had all the power and women were ridiculed whenever they had opinions. I LOVED the prose, especially the passages detailing the art of cloth-dying, which painted a mesmerizing picture and it's always wonderful to read a historical fiction that's well researched.
I loved reading Joan's journey, her struggle against her father who was unhelpful at best, and her sister who she could have done without and an husband who's sweet but not without faults of his own. Joan's love for colours leapt off the page at times for me, infusing the narrative with happiness, heartbreak, love and sorrow that only enriched the story. I can't believe it's a debut novel for this author, the storytelling and the stunning prose exuded a confidence that I don't normally find in debut novels. Loved every second of reading this book!
March 31, 2024
Great HF novel set in 17th Century Gloucestershire focusing on the weaving trade. Well researched and superbly crafted. Engaging story of Joan who, as a young girl, is compelled by colour and a desire to learn all there is to know about dyeing cloth. As she is stymied by gender and poverty her interest in cloth and colour never falters. Brilliantly builds atmosphere and setting. I really enjoyed this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-arc.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-arc.
August 14, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
This book follows Joan, the daughter of a desperately poor textile worker, as she takes the helm of the family business is the hope of saving it. With the help of another woman in the valley, Joan shows unusual skill and interest in dyeing, which is considered a man’s trade. And despite her competence and their relative lack of it, the structures of society require her to run business decisions past the men in her life.
I’m very impressed that this is a debut. The characterisation is fantastic, and though the pacing is a little uneven at times the narrative is compelling. I particularly enjoyed the depictions of Joan’s relationships with her sister and her husband. The characters are well rounded, the sharper edges causing friction where they rub together. The husband was was thoughtfully written as a man who loved Joan dearly but nonetheless carried the period’s expectations of unchallenged control.
I will note — the synopsis says that Joan’s work “stirs whispers of witchcraft.” As seems to be a frequent problem with marketing copy at the moment, the witchcraft references have very little bearing on the stakes of this book!! The “whispers of witchcraft” are literally just Joan’s sister being bitchy. It’s still a great book, but don’t go in expecting actual accusations of witchcraft or that Joan’s behaviour is influences by the possibility of such accusations.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This book follows Joan, the daughter of a desperately poor textile worker, as she takes the helm of the family business is the hope of saving it. With the help of another woman in the valley, Joan shows unusual skill and interest in dyeing, which is considered a man’s trade. And despite her competence and their relative lack of it, the structures of society require her to run business decisions past the men in her life.
I’m very impressed that this is a debut. The characterisation is fantastic, and though the pacing is a little uneven at times the narrative is compelling. I particularly enjoyed the depictions of Joan’s relationships with her sister and her husband. The characters are well rounded, the sharper edges causing friction where they rub together. The husband was was thoughtfully written as a man who loved Joan dearly but nonetheless carried the period’s expectations of unchallenged control.
I will note — the synopsis says that Joan’s work “stirs whispers of witchcraft.” As seems to be a frequent problem with marketing copy at the moment, the witchcraft references have very little bearing on the stakes of this book!! The “whispers of witchcraft” are literally just Joan’s sister being bitchy. It’s still a great book, but don’t go in expecting actual accusations of witchcraft or that Joan’s behaviour is influences by the possibility of such accusations.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
August 13, 2024
Stunning debut novel by Chloe Turner, to say I loved it is an understatement.
Set in 17th century Gloucestershire, Joan is the younger daughter of a millworker, whose mother died sometime before. Her father has taken solace in drink and pipe dreams, leaving his business in tatters and about to loose his continual battle against destitution. Joan persuades her father to let her step into his role and so begins her fight against prejudice and poverty in a male dominated society. Joan's strength and tenacity, combined with her skill and insight, challenges the accepted role of women during that time. Her skillfulness in mastering the art of cloth dying leads to whispers of witchcraft.
The descriptions of the Gloucestershire countryside are exquisite. The detailed accounts of roots, plants and the art of cloth dying clearly researched in exceptional detail. The narrative is powerfully written with so much authentic detail about the life of a woman in this era, whether wealthy or on the breadline. Chloe Turner has an exceptional way of writing that takes you inside the pages, I felt I could smell and hear the bustle of the markets and feel Joan's anguish at the rift between herself and older sister Alice. Joan has such fortitude and perseverance, I was routing for her from page one.
This book is outstanding on so many levels and will stay with me for somewhile.
With so many thanks to NetGalley, Deixis Publishing and Chloe Turner for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy in return for my unbiased review.
Set in 17th century Gloucestershire, Joan is the younger daughter of a millworker, whose mother died sometime before. Her father has taken solace in drink and pipe dreams, leaving his business in tatters and about to loose his continual battle against destitution. Joan persuades her father to let her step into his role and so begins her fight against prejudice and poverty in a male dominated society. Joan's strength and tenacity, combined with her skill and insight, challenges the accepted role of women during that time. Her skillfulness in mastering the art of cloth dying leads to whispers of witchcraft.
The descriptions of the Gloucestershire countryside are exquisite. The detailed accounts of roots, plants and the art of cloth dying clearly researched in exceptional detail. The narrative is powerfully written with so much authentic detail about the life of a woman in this era, whether wealthy or on the breadline. Chloe Turner has an exceptional way of writing that takes you inside the pages, I felt I could smell and hear the bustle of the markets and feel Joan's anguish at the rift between herself and older sister Alice. Joan has such fortitude and perseverance, I was routing for her from page one.
This book is outstanding on so many levels and will stay with me for somewhile.
With so many thanks to NetGalley, Deixis Publishing and Chloe Turner for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy in return for my unbiased review.
August 24, 2024
an enjoyable historical fiction set in 17th century Gloustershire which follows Joan, a woman held back by her damn husband. she shouldn't haver waited for Daniel 😩 but anywaysss personally it just wasn't that satisfying but i still enjoyed!!
July 9, 2024
Girl power in the 17th century. This beautifully written, well researched book contains the thread of natural dyes through its length. I've caught myself pondering what colours might come out of the flowers I've seen in the hedgerows whilst reading it.
I very much enjoyed the characters, which is surely a mark of a 5 star book. Also the plot took many unexpected turns.
A most enjoyable read.
I very much enjoyed the characters, which is surely a mark of a 5 star book. Also the plot took many unexpected turns.
A most enjoyable read.
July 28, 2024
This is how you tell a strong woman's story! This is how you highlight the condition of women in 17th century England! This is how you write proper historical fiction, yet tell a feminist story! Chloe Turner does all that, and it does it brilliantly. The writing is so good, it's almost hard to believe Blue Hawk is a debut novel!
Blue Hawk tells the story of Joan, from the moment she starts helping her father, to the moment she becomes a clothier and also a mentor for future women clothiers. But it also tells the story of Joan: daughter, sister, wife, mother, businesswoman, mentor. Turner paints a lovely image of the cloth business in 17th century Gloucestershire, and especially of the emerging business of cloth dying! But she also paints an extraordinary picture of the prowess of women and how they always found a way to survive, to navigate customs and societal pressures, to succeed even in areas that have always been a man;s world. But what I truly enjoyed is that she did all that, while being truthful to the historical period, to what a woman will do and say, yet she still delivered a powerful story!
*Novel from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this!
Blue Hawk tells the story of Joan, from the moment she starts helping her father, to the moment she becomes a clothier and also a mentor for future women clothiers. But it also tells the story of Joan: daughter, sister, wife, mother, businesswoman, mentor. Turner paints a lovely image of the cloth business in 17th century Gloucestershire, and especially of the emerging business of cloth dying! But she also paints an extraordinary picture of the prowess of women and how they always found a way to survive, to navigate customs and societal pressures, to succeed even in areas that have always been a man;s world. But what I truly enjoyed is that she did all that, while being truthful to the historical period, to what a woman will do and say, yet she still delivered a powerful story!
*Novel from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this!
May 18, 2024
It's the 1600s. Joan, in her mid teens, lives with her older sister, Alice, and her father in Gloucestershire, where they barely eke out a living weaving and selling cloth. Their mother died when Joan and Alice were young and they're all struggling to cope with her absence. Joan's father decided that he wanted to strike out on his own and become a clothier instead of continuing to work for someone else, but he drinks away the profits, leaving the family on the edge of starvation and in debt. The sisters are very different. Alice wants a different kind of life, which she plans to get by becoming the wife of a wealthy man. She can be cruel in the pursuit of her goal. Joan loves nature, especially the dyes that come from plants and insects. She befriends a widow with a dye garden and wants to experiment with some of the cloth, but there is none to spare. She also has a good head for business, which is considered unacceptable for a woman. She meets resistance from people she knows and those she doesn't. The book takes us through Joan's life as she fights for her own survival and that of her family, navigating a world in which the person she is, her skills, interests, and knowledge, are considered unacceptable, Alice's goal was acceptable. Joan's goals were not.
I got stuck into this book from the start. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read with fascinating, infuriating, and pitiful characters. In an author's note in the back, we are told that Joan is based (loosely) on a couple of women who actually lived, but who are mostly lost to history, except for a couple of historical glimpses. The world in which the story takes place is fascinating to read about. The descriptions of Joan's love of the dyeing process and color are beautiful. The sections in the market where the cloth is being inspected are so vivid, I could almost feel the cloth myself. My one quibble was the ending, which seemed a tad abrupt to me--maybe that's just because I would have liked Joan's story to continue on for a little bit longer. This is an excellent book.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
I got stuck into this book from the start. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read with fascinating, infuriating, and pitiful characters. In an author's note in the back, we are told that Joan is based (loosely) on a couple of women who actually lived, but who are mostly lost to history, except for a couple of historical glimpses. The world in which the story takes place is fascinating to read about. The descriptions of Joan's love of the dyeing process and color are beautiful. The sections in the market where the cloth is being inspected are so vivid, I could almost feel the cloth myself. My one quibble was the ending, which seemed a tad abrupt to me--maybe that's just because I would have liked Joan's story to continue on for a little bit longer. This is an excellent book.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
June 13, 2024
17th century Gloucestershire. Joan, the daughter of a millworker with drink-fuelled pipe dreams, is thrust into her family's battle against poverty. With her father's legacy tarnished, Joan steps into his place, mastering the art of cloth-dying to save her family from destitution and restore their lost honor.
But Joan's exceptional skill challenges her community's rigid conventions--and stirs whispers of witchcraft. Her lonely endeavours are further shadowed by marital strife and a complex rivalry with her sister, Alice, fueled by jealousy and long-standing grievances.
‘Watch yourselves, fellows. Got an eye like a blue hawk, has this one.’
This is a truly wonderful read, full of rich detail and imagery, with characterisations that are fantastic and very real.
Joan is determined and spirited, she has a clear voice, full of passion and ambition. I really felt for her taking on so much at such a young age. Marriage, her father’s business, the cruelty and jealousy of her sister, Alice - she deals with it all. She is sharp and has huge ambition, yet she is constrained by her place and her sex, it made me want to scream at times, the unfairness of it all!
It is beautifully written and woven intricately with rich detail of nature, plants and dyes. It transported me to an area I know well and I could picture it in my minds eye. I got totally enveloped and absorbed in it, it makes it a sensory experience to read which is rare.
‘the memory of every one of the merchant’s swatches, stitched in a circle like the rays of the sun. The red of ripe haws, deepest perse, and jay-feather blue. But when sleep came, it took her to the riverbank: to reams of crumpled wet wool, all of it rich in that uncommon grey-green of her mother’s eyes, as it was lifted hand-over-hand from the Frome.’
This is a fantastic debut, I loved it and would recommend you read it too. This could be my book of the year!
But Joan's exceptional skill challenges her community's rigid conventions--and stirs whispers of witchcraft. Her lonely endeavours are further shadowed by marital strife and a complex rivalry with her sister, Alice, fueled by jealousy and long-standing grievances.
‘Watch yourselves, fellows. Got an eye like a blue hawk, has this one.’
This is a truly wonderful read, full of rich detail and imagery, with characterisations that are fantastic and very real.
Joan is determined and spirited, she has a clear voice, full of passion and ambition. I really felt for her taking on so much at such a young age. Marriage, her father’s business, the cruelty and jealousy of her sister, Alice - she deals with it all. She is sharp and has huge ambition, yet she is constrained by her place and her sex, it made me want to scream at times, the unfairness of it all!
It is beautifully written and woven intricately with rich detail of nature, plants and dyes. It transported me to an area I know well and I could picture it in my minds eye. I got totally enveloped and absorbed in it, it makes it a sensory experience to read which is rare.
‘the memory of every one of the merchant’s swatches, stitched in a circle like the rays of the sun. The red of ripe haws, deepest perse, and jay-feather blue. But when sleep came, it took her to the riverbank: to reams of crumpled wet wool, all of it rich in that uncommon grey-green of her mother’s eyes, as it was lifted hand-over-hand from the Frome.’
This is a fantastic debut, I loved it and would recommend you read it too. This could be my book of the year!
October 12, 2024
Blue Hawk is an immersive and gripping historical novel. Set in Gloucestershire in the 17th century, it recounts the life of Joan, a textile worker's daughter. Joan is intelligent, creative and hardworking, but her life is a struggle. Her many burdens include a hapless father who squanders the family's money by making poor business decisions and succumbing to drink, a husband who means well but lacks her intelligence and nous, a feckless sister, and, of course, being a woman. To rebuilt her father's legacy, Joan teaches herself the art of creating textile colours from local plants, with help from a nearby woman.
I love historical novels that focus not on royalty and grand events but on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people. Blue Hawk is a totally immersive read that plunges the reader into Joan's life, from the dreary humdrum of her work to the highs of achieving success in her business. It celebrates female tenacity and ingenuity.
There is an ever-present threat of being accused of witchcraft, mainly because of her jealous sister's gossip. It never really materialises but it serves as an effective way to communicate the sense of dread that might have been experienced by any woman in that time and place who strived to succeed in business on their own. Violence, or the threat of it, is never far away, be it from a father, a husband or a stranger, while gossiping neighbours or condemnation by church authorities represented a constant risk of social ostracism, or worse.
Highly recommended for any readers who love to lose themselves in stories of women's lives.
Thanks to the author, publisher @DeixisPress and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
#NetGalley #bookreview
I love historical novels that focus not on royalty and grand events but on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people. Blue Hawk is a totally immersive read that plunges the reader into Joan's life, from the dreary humdrum of her work to the highs of achieving success in her business. It celebrates female tenacity and ingenuity.
There is an ever-present threat of being accused of witchcraft, mainly because of her jealous sister's gossip. It never really materialises but it serves as an effective way to communicate the sense of dread that might have been experienced by any woman in that time and place who strived to succeed in business on their own. Violence, or the threat of it, is never far away, be it from a father, a husband or a stranger, while gossiping neighbours or condemnation by church authorities represented a constant risk of social ostracism, or worse.
Highly recommended for any readers who love to lose themselves in stories of women's lives.
Thanks to the author, publisher @DeixisPress and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
#NetGalley #bookreview
May 21, 2024
I felt genuine sadness when I came to the end of the book because I’d bonded with the characters and didn’t want to leave them. It’s the sign of a good book.
I felt engaged with the main character of Joan, through following her passion and determination to defy convention by learning cloth-dyeing. I felt for her as she negotiated the highs and lows of life and faced the challenges of being a woman in 17th century England. The book includes strong themes of female friendship and explores complex personal relationships made harder by poverty and societal expectations of a woman’s place.
This debut novel was crafted with the flair and accomplishment of a mature writer. What struck me were the rich descriptions of weaving and the cloth-dyeing process. I was impressed by the author’s thorough research into all aspects of the clothing industry which she expertly wove into the story. I loved Joan’s close affinity with nature as she gathered plant and insect material to get exactly the right colours for her cloth. I did occasionally think the sentences were too long in places which at times forced me to stop and reread them, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book overall.
I love discovering a new author to get excited about and I’m going to immediately read Witches Sail in Eggshells.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced review copy of this book.
I felt engaged with the main character of Joan, through following her passion and determination to defy convention by learning cloth-dyeing. I felt for her as she negotiated the highs and lows of life and faced the challenges of being a woman in 17th century England. The book includes strong themes of female friendship and explores complex personal relationships made harder by poverty and societal expectations of a woman’s place.
This debut novel was crafted with the flair and accomplishment of a mature writer. What struck me were the rich descriptions of weaving and the cloth-dyeing process. I was impressed by the author’s thorough research into all aspects of the clothing industry which she expertly wove into the story. I loved Joan’s close affinity with nature as she gathered plant and insect material to get exactly the right colours for her cloth. I did occasionally think the sentences were too long in places which at times forced me to stop and reread them, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book overall.
I love discovering a new author to get excited about and I’m going to immediately read Witches Sail in Eggshells.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced review copy of this book.
July 21, 2024
A historical novel steeped in ambition and landscape
In this economical novel, Turner builds a portrait of a 17th century Gloucestershire neighbourhood and one Joan Browning, from motherless child to textile innovator in a time when the trade was dominated by men, or so the historical record tells us. Based on tantalising glimpses of real-life women who made their own successes in the time and profession, Joan's challenges pile own from her childhood onwards, with a jealous older sister, a father who drinks away any profits, a romance that meets its own obstacles along the way, the difficulties of being poor with nothing to fall back on: even as things go from bad to worse, Joan's quick thinking and her ability to spot opportunity make her a fascinating character, easy to empathise with and hard to let go.
And the landscape is beautifully rendered, not only as Joan's foundation but also the giver of all that might save her.. With every turn of fate, she rises again, with the rivers, the trees, the plants, the gifts with which she builds her life, over and over again.
Four stars.
In this economical novel, Turner builds a portrait of a 17th century Gloucestershire neighbourhood and one Joan Browning, from motherless child to textile innovator in a time when the trade was dominated by men, or so the historical record tells us. Based on tantalising glimpses of real-life women who made their own successes in the time and profession, Joan's challenges pile own from her childhood onwards, with a jealous older sister, a father who drinks away any profits, a romance that meets its own obstacles along the way, the difficulties of being poor with nothing to fall back on: even as things go from bad to worse, Joan's quick thinking and her ability to spot opportunity make her a fascinating character, easy to empathise with and hard to let go.
And the landscape is beautifully rendered, not only as Joan's foundation but also the giver of all that might save her.. With every turn of fate, she rises again, with the rivers, the trees, the plants, the gifts with which she builds her life, over and over again.
Four stars.
February 14, 2024
Chloe Turner's debut novel, Blue Hawk, is beautifully written and researched. It stands out not only for Turner's meticulous attention to historical detail but also for the clarity and simplicity with which she brings the seventeenth century to life. Her extensive research is evident throughout, from the intricacies of dyecraft to the daily realities of life at the time.
Joan, the book's main character, is a strong and intelligent woman who stands up for herself in a time when women taking charge was rare in society. Her story is a a subtle yet powerful piece of historical fiction that deals with themes including sibling rivalry, young love, failure, and redemption. And just like Joan works wonders with her dyes, Chloe Turner's writing brings magic to the page.
Joan, the book's main character, is a strong and intelligent woman who stands up for herself in a time when women taking charge was rare in society. Her story is a a subtle yet powerful piece of historical fiction that deals with themes including sibling rivalry, young love, failure, and redemption. And just like Joan works wonders with her dyes, Chloe Turner's writing brings magic to the page.
July 26, 2024
The synopsis of this novel really appealed to me and it turned out it is exactly the kind of historical fiction I enjoy. In many ways it is a small story about one woman struggling her way through life in a Gloucestershire village in the latter half of the 17th century.
I thought this was beautifully written and very well researched. It felt vibrant and alive, but in an understated way. I loved the way familial relationships were explored as well as the reality of the romantic relationship that sets the course of her life.
Although there was a bit in the novel where my attention slipped for a moment or two, it also made me cry and it left me with a feeling of satisfaction.
If you enjoy Maggie O’Farrell’s historical books, you would enjoy this. This was beautiful.
I thought this was beautifully written and very well researched. It felt vibrant and alive, but in an understated way. I loved the way familial relationships were explored as well as the reality of the romantic relationship that sets the course of her life.
Although there was a bit in the novel where my attention slipped for a moment or two, it also made me cry and it left me with a feeling of satisfaction.
If you enjoy Maggie O’Farrell’s historical books, you would enjoy this. This was beautiful.
July 5, 2024
"Blue Hawk" is an amazing debut historical novel by Chloe Turner. I was transported to 17th century England. I was amazed at Turner's ability to fully create this environment. I loved learning about fabric dyeing with plants, and the main character Joan advocating for herself to learn a trade and expand her family's business. In a relatively short novel, I was immersed in a new time and place. Bravo. Looking forward to more books by Chloe Turner. Thanks to Netgalley and Deixis Press for the eARC.
July 15, 2024
Blue Hawk takes you back to the reign of Charles II and the world of pre Industrial Revolution weaving. It is an excellent illustration of the hard life led by those involved in spinning, weaving and dying cloth. More than that it picks up on the experience of women who tried to forge their way as an independent business person in a male dominated, prejudiced society. This together with a theme where two sisters develop a loving yet jealousy relationship make this an absorbing, informative read.
August 4, 2024
There's a lot to love in this well plotted and intriguing historical fiction. The story of a woman but also a grim/realistic depiction of life of women in XVII century.
Chloe Turner is a talented storyteller and I hope to read other novels written by her soon
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Chloe Turner is a talented storyteller and I hope to read other novels written by her soon
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 24, 2024
A well-researched historical novel that details a woman's struggle to enter the dyeing industry.
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