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If you enjoy historical fiction, strong female characters and stories filled with secrets, superstition and accusations of witchcraft, then Tidelands by Philippa Gregory (published 2019) is the perfect book to curl up with this autumn.
Read on to find out more:
About Tidelands
Tidelands is the first book in Philippa Gregory’s Fairmile series. The story begins on Midsummer’s Eve in 1648, while England is in the grip of civil war between King Charles I and Parliament.
Although battles are being fought across the country, this novel focuses on the ordinary people living in the remote Tidelands on the south coast of England. Here, the marshes are shaped by the tides, pathways can disappear beneath the water, and local people live in poverty while trying to survive the upheaval taking place around them.
Alinor is a poor woman living with her two children, Alys and Rob. Her abusive husband has disappeared, but without proof of his death, she cannot remarry or truly move on with her life.
On Midsummer’s Eve, Alinor waits in the churchyard beneath the full moon, hoping that her husband’s ghost will appear and confirm that she is finally free. Instead, she meets James, a young man on the run, and guides him safely through the dangerous marshes.
She has no idea that helping this mysterious stranger will change her life forever.
A Dangerous Time to Be Different
Alinor comes from a line of wise women and possesses valuable knowledge about herbs, healing and childbirth. However, in a deeply superstitious community, these skills make her vulnerable.
This is a world in which women who are clever, independent or simply different can easily become the target of suspicion. Alinor’s knowledge, determination and ambition set her apart from her neighbours, while any sudden change in her circumstances attracts envy and gossip.
As fear begins to grow around her, she finds herself in terrible danger.
My Thoughts on Tidelands
I absolutely loved Tidelands. It was such an amazing, gripping book, and I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to find out what would happen to Alinor.
At the same time, I became so immersed in her world that I didn’t want the story to end. I loved it so much that I bought the sequel before I had even finished reading this one! I can’t wait to start reading it after I put this post up (do you make deals with yourself too to get things done? If I love it, I’ll put a review and giveaway up for Dark Tides too if you’d like.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the real history woven throughout the story. I found it fascinating to learn more about the English Civil War and to see how the conflict affected ordinary families living far away from the major battles.
The novel also explores the lives and limited choices of women during this period. It shows how vulnerable women could be when they had no money, status or husband to protect them.
Alinor is intelligent, hardworking and skilled, yet these qualities make other people fear her rather than respect her. Women who helped deliver babies, treated illnesses and understood healing plants could be accused of witchcraft, while men practising medicine were respected.
As you know, I love witch-themed books, particularly those inspired by the true history of women who were accused of witchcraft. Tidelands captures how quickly gossip, jealousy and superstition could turn against a woman.
I also found the book’s portrayal of pregnancy and the expectations placed upon women very powerful. Times may change, but women still so often carry the judgement and blame surrounding pregnancy, relationships and reproductive choices.
Living by the sea myself, I could also relate to many parts of the book. Although the Pembrokeshire coast is different from Alinor’s marshy Tidelands, I understand how coastal life is shaped by the tides, changing weather and the power of the sea. Philippa Gregory describes the landscape so vividly that I could almost smell the salt air and feel the mud beneath my feet. With my love of history, strong female characters, the coast and stories about women accused of witchcraft, I honestly don’t know why I didn’t read this book years ago!
A Strong and Memorable Heroine
Alinor is a character I cared about from the beginning. She is strong, but not in an unrealistic way. She feels fear, makes difficult decisions and tries to protect her children while living in a society that gives her very little control over her own future.
The landscape almost feels like another character in the novel. The shifting tides, marshes, deep waters that Alinor so fears, and hidden pathways create a constant sense of danger and uncertainty. Alinor herself seems caught between different worlds: married but abandoned, respected for her knowledge yet feared because of it, and hoping for freedom while knowing how dangerous that hope may be.
Would I Recommend Tidelands?
I highly recommend Tidelands to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, women’s history, witch-themed novels and atmospheric family sagas.
It is a wonderfully immersive story filled with history, romance, danger, secrets and superstition. It would make a perfect cosy autumn read-although be warned, once you begin, you may find it very difficult to put down!
Tidelands is the first novel in the Fairmile series and is followed by Dark Tides and Dawnlands. I can’t wait to continue Alinor’s story.
Read on for a chance to win a copy of Tidelands by Philippa Gregory.
Win a Copy of Tidelands by Philippa Gregory
For the chance to win a copy of Tidelands by Philippa Gregory, please enter the Gleam widget below. Remember to read the terms and conditions- good luck!
Win a Copy of Tidelands by Philippa GregoryTidelands is available in paperback for £7.99 (Amazon) and from all good bookshops. Please support your local bookshop if you can find it there. If not, ask them to order it in for you. Enjoy!
Have you read Tidelands? Let me know what you think in the comments.
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I am a huge Philippa Gregory fan. I didn’t enjoy history at school and choose geography for my option but I remember reading The Other Boleyn Girl about 20 years ago and it opened up a whole new interest for me
Author
Yes, it’s the human stories in history that most appeal to me ❤️ xxx
I enjoy historical fiction and know Philippa Gregory is a really good writer
My Mum loved Phillipa Gregory books and passed this on to me. I’ve read most of her books but this is a new one to me
Author
I love her writing so can’t believe I missed this book too until now ❤️ xxx
My wife is a big fan of Philippa Gregory and so I’m sure she would enjoy this book.
this looks like it will be a great read!
I know it’s a bit daft but I do go by an eye fetching cover and then the author if they are familiar and I have enjoyed other Philippa Gregory books x
Author
I love a good cover too 💜
The cover picture and taglines are very appealing and make me want to read it.
I love stories with a historical background that fires my imagination
I love Philippa Gregory and would love to read this
I love historical fiction and this looks amazing 😍
Philippa Gregory is my daughter’s no. 1 favourite… would love to gift this to her …
Phillipa Gregory is an excellent historical fiction writer. To read a novel by her that features a family saga and the occult should be a great read and wonderful to take on a three generation family holiday when I would have plenty of time to sa out it.
I enjoy historical fiction and Philippa Gregory is a good writer
I enjoy reading Philippa Gregory
I want to read this as this was the period of history I studied at college and it’s such a fascinating time
really would like to read this as its my type of book and has a good plot
I have never read any of her books and I love discovering new authors.
Recommended by others or a favourite author – sometimes its jus the cover and synopsis