Blue Hawk

Chloe Turner follows her short story collection WITCHES SAIL IN EGGSHELLS with her historical novel BLUE HAWK. The book is set in Gloucestershire in the 17th century, at the height of the area’s wool industry. Joan, a weaver’s daughter, has a fascination with color and the plants used in creating dyes. She befriends Mrs. Freme, whose garden contains a wealth of plants her tenant uses in his dyes. In spite of the harshness of her life, Joan follows her passion. When illness leaves her a widow, she must use all her strength as well as her talent to build a life for herself and her daughter, in spite of those who do not wish her well. Turner’s meticulous research adds layers of texture to the story. Joan’s determination, intelligence, and kindness make her a protagonist the reader cheers on, and her struggles and heartbreaks are involving and moving. The beautiful language enhances rather than distracts, and Joan’s struggles resonate with relevance even today.