The White Witch

by Elizabeth Goudge
The White Witch cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 6898
  • Added: 2025-12-05
  • Updated: 2025-12-05
  • ISBN: 9781444762150
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2012-10-25
  • Reviews: 3

The White Witch is a historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of the English Civil War. It explores the lives of Robert Haslewood, a local squire who leaves his family to fight for the Parliamentarian cause, and his cousin Froniga, who is torn between her Puritan family and her Romany relatives. The story also follows Robert's daughter Jenny, who grows up under the shadow of conflict and must navigate her own loyalties when she encounters the mysterious royalist Francis Leyland. /n/n As their lives become entwined, the villagers of Oxfordshire struggle to stay true to their beliefs as war threatens to tear their community apart. The novel delves into themes of loyalty, love, and the impact of war on a small community, providing a rich and engaging historical narrative.

Reviews
Forums - Ship of Fools · 2022-06-01
lovely 4.75

Overall I loved reading the book! The characters are believable and the story is deeply engaging. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

This reviewer absolutely loved the book, finding the characters to be believable and the story deeply engaging. They appreciated the way the author brings the setting and the characters to life, creating a rich and immersive world that draws you in. The reviewer also noted that the book has a lasting impact, staying with you long after you've turned the final page. They found the themes and the characters to be memorable and the writing to be beautiful, making it a book that they would highly recommend.

Quick quotes

    Overall I loved reading the book!

    The characters are believable and the story is deeply engaging.

    It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

She Reads Novels · 2016-04-24
enchanting 4.50

The contrast between the battle scenes and the daily lives of the villagers was one of the many things I loved about this book. The story's depth and complexity make it a compelling read.

This reviewer loved the way the book balances intense battle scenes with the quiet, everyday lives of the villagers. It's a rich, multifaceted story that draws you in and doesn't let go. They also appreciated the historical accuracy and the way the author weaves together different strands of the narrative to create a cohesive and engaging whole. The characters are well-developed and the themes are thought-provoking, making it a book that stays with you long after you've finished reading.

Quick quotes

    The contrast between the battle scenes and the daily lives of the villagers was one of the many things I loved about this book.

    The story's depth and complexity make it a compelling read.

    The characters are well-developed and the themes are thought-provoking.

Maria Vigornia's Blog · Maria Vigornia · 2013-08-12
moving 4.00

A well-written and well-researched historical novel set primarily during the early years of the English Civil Wars. The themes of redemption and forgiveness are beautifully explored.

Maria Vigornia highlights the meticulous research and writing that went into this historical novel. They were particularly drawn to the themes of redemption and forgiveness, which are explored in a nuanced and compelling way. The setting of the English Civil Wars provides a rich backdrop for the story, and the characters are brought to life with great depth and authenticity. The reviewer found the book to be a profound and moving exploration of the human condition, with a strong sense of historical context and a deep understanding of the complexities of war and its aftermath.

Quick quotes

    A well-written and well-researched historical novel set primarily during the early years of the English Civil Wars.

    The themes of redemption and forgiveness are beautifully explored.

    The characters are brought to life with great depth and authenticity.

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