The Names of a Hare by Australian author Bernice Barry is a compelling work of fiction that blends historical fiction, patriarchal violence, folklore, identity and drama.
Set in Cornwall, 1628, the story follows a young girl born in the 17th century. She is raised by a wise woman, Gunnet Dawes, who teaches her herbal lore, midwifery, and the old ways tending to the sick the poor.
The girl is gifted with an unusual sensitivity to the natural world and an ability that borders on the supernatural; she can leave her body and fly.
This gift is both a wonder and a curse, shaping her life in a time when anything unexplained is branded as magic and placing her directly in the path of suspicion as witch hunts sweep across England.
When the infamous witch hunter Matthew Hopkins rises to power and begins to hunt those who possess supernatural powers or make pacts with the devil, the girl’s life becomes a cycle of reinvention. She moves from village to village, taking on new names and identities, and tries to stay one step ahead to avoid punishment or death.
From the first chapter, I was completely pulled into this girl’s world, this unnamed, ever-changing, ever-surviving girl who keeps slipping through the cracks of history. Her life is fragile and fierce at the same time, while constantly being forced to become someone new, and I found myself rooting for her. The novel builds toward a powerful reckoning in which she must decide whether to keep running or claim her identity.
The supporting characters are the forces that shape the protagonist’s identity, survival, and transformation. I particularly liked Gunnet and Annis; they are gentle, intuitive, protective and are quietly powerful, shaping the girl into a woman.
Hopkins, a historical figure woven into the narrative, was often called the Witchfinder General and was one of the darkest and most unsettling figures in English history. He is self-righteous, cruel and the embodiment of patriarchal fear and violence. Barry did a wonderful job portraying him.
The author’s extensive research and insight bring 17th-century Cornwall to life. The Cornish landscape feels alive with descriptions of the coastline, woods and moorland. I enjoyed the folklore of this period, being heavily focused on the supernatural with the herbal practices, the day-to-day of rural life, and the dread of witch hunts.
Everything about this cover feels elegant; the hare symbolism is subtle but powerful. I admire the overall effect of the palette and type that works so beautifully together with the imagery. A definite stand out on a shelf and exactly what a book cover should do.
The Names of a Hare will take readers into another dimension with its folklore, symbolism and mysticism. For those who enjoy character-driven stories and atmospheric writing, it is incredibly rewarding and will linger long after you’ve finished it. I highly recommend it.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry. You can read their comments below or leave your own review.
My love of books started at a very young age. My mum has always been a reader and encouraged me to read, buying me endless book from classic fairy tales advancing to the world of Enid Blyton, CS Lewis, Louisa May Alcott, Kathryn Kenny, Carolyn Keene, Francine Pascal. In my adult years the list of authors is endless and every room in my house is filled with books.
One of my favourite novels is Narnia which has always has a special place in my heart. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1978 and when I was given this book to read it let me escape to another world where I felt like I was in the book with all the characters, it wasfun and exciting to escape from reality and eased the ups and downs of the disease at such a young age.
In books nothing is impossible and there is endless potential and hundreds of places to explore or being taken to places that are only made up from the authors’ great minds, the past and future to navigate, characters lives you step into taking you on an emotional rollercoaster ride or being scared out of your wits. I can experience things that I can’t in real life because they’re not possible or real. It challenges my perspective and mindset expanding my worldview.
I find joy, comfort and peace with books, many people may not get it, but I know bookworms like me truly understand. Reading makes my heart happy.
Its 1628 and its a time where there is a lot of distrust for things that others don’t understand. Those that are into natural healing must be very careful for if they happen to upset someone they can cry “Witch” and your life will then be in danger. More than natural healing is the fact that a young girl has discovered that she is able to leave her body and fly. This is such a dangerous thing that she must keep it a secret but electing to share this secret with someone she believes cares for her will put her in danger.
Matthew Hopkins the Witchfinder sees her as his target and he will do whatever he can to track her down and try her as a Witch.
This book is written from the girls point of view and is just like it is her memoir.
I enjoyed this book and loved reading something that was a little different.