Helpful Score: 1
A most moving historical fiction ideal for women on the healer's path, one of my favorites. To quote the back cover, " Full of information about magic, Brigid's Charge is an engaging and imaginative reconstruction of an extraordinary woman's life in a difficult time - and a good read!" -Starkhawk, author of The Spiral Dance & The Fifth Sacred Thing
from back cover:
The New World holds the promise of religious freedom, especially among the Quakers, known for their tolerance. But will they accept a Pagan in their Society? A witch in their community? Deborah Leeds, direct ancestor of the author, remains faithful to Brigid's charge to heal and is well loved and respected by her neighbors. Yet ultimately she lives a lie - until a new charge by a "Doctor of Physic" and the birth of her 13th child force a reckoning within her and her community. And a legend is born. Sightings of her alleged progeny, now known as the Jersey Devil, continue to this day. A story of secrets and suspicions, of religious fervor and fanatacism, of a fearful yet courageous woman's struggle to live with integrity in a world which would hang her for following her heart . . . and her destiny!
FINALIST! Benjamin Franklin Award for Fiction now on unabridged audio. "One of the best novels . . . concerned with women's spirituality." - Booklist
"A well-crafted, imaginative tale, and terrific reading." - The Midwest Book Review
"A fascinating exploration of the origin and nature of what we have come to think of as witchcraft." - San Francisco Chronicle
"[Brigid's Charge] uses the legend to get places, to say things about life and people and religion and things that matter." - The Press of Atlantic City ". . . an engaging and imaginative story of the life of an extraordinary woman in a difficult time - and a good read! - Starhawk, author of "The Spiral Dance" and "The Fifth Sacred Thing"
The New World holds the promise of religious freedom, especially among the Quakers, known for their tolerance. But will they accept a Pagan in their Society? A witch in their community? Deborah Leeds, direct ancestor of the author, remains faithful to Brigid's charge to heal and is well loved and respected by her neighbors. Yet ultimately she lives a lie - until a new charge by a "Doctor of Physic" and the birth of her 13th child force a reckoning within her and her community. And a legend is born. Sightings of her alleged progeny, now known as the Jersey Devil, continue to this day. A story of secrets and suspicions, of religious fervor and fanatacism, of a fearful yet courageous woman's struggle to live with integrity in a world which would hang her for following her heart . . . and her destiny!
FINALIST! Benjamin Franklin Award for Fiction now on unabridged audio. "One of the best novels . . . concerned with women's spirituality." - Booklist
"A well-crafted, imaginative tale, and terrific reading." - The Midwest Book Review
"A fascinating exploration of the origin and nature of what we have come to think of as witchcraft." - San Francisco Chronicle
"[Brigid's Charge] uses the legend to get places, to say things about life and people and religion and things that matter." - The Press of Atlantic City ". . . an engaging and imaginative story of the life of an extraordinary woman in a difficult time - and a good read! - Starhawk, author of "The Spiral Dance" and "The Fifth Sacred Thing"
