Final Thoughts

[TRJ4SQ]

I had a really hard time getting through this last interlude. I could feel the pain and grief transcend the boundaries of time and it racked me to the very core of my soul. I only accomplished getting to the next chapter by setting the book down every few paragraphs to regain my analytical objectivity. Even still, thought I brought myself back to be fully grounded in the 21st Century, I could not stop the tears from coming. This may be a work of fiction but the truth behind it is very real.

I have seen a few say that they were disappointed with the end of the book. I see reason to differ and say that I am disappointed that the book has ended.

[DSaff]

I totally agree with you.

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TRJ4SQ wrote:

I had a really hard time getting through this last interlude. I could feel the pain and grief transcend the boundaries of time and it racked me to the very core of my soul. I only accomplished getting to the next chapter by setting the book down every few paragraphs to regain my analytical objectivity. Even still, thought I brought myself back to be fully grounded in the 21st Century, I could not stop the tears from coming. This may be a work of fiction but the truth behind it is very real.

I have seen a few say that they were disappointed with the end of the book. I see reason to differ and say that I am disappointed that the book has ended.

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[DSaff]

You can find some tour dates at  http://www.physickbook.com/  Once there, look in the "Author" tab > Find Katherine Howe on Tour.

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canterbear wrote:

This was the best ARC I have experienced so far.

 Wonderfully written..and a book I just could not put down.

 The discussion for this book was also a very rewarding experience.

 Thanks to the author, editor, and everyone who took part.

Is there a list some where of where Katherine will be touring? (I might have missed that).

A big thanks to everyone.

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[CathyB]

I agree . The last interlude was heart wrenching.

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TRJ4SQ wrote:

I had a really hard time getting through this last interlude. I could feel the pain and grief transcend the boundaries of time and it racked me to the very core of my soul. I only accomplished getting to the next chapter by setting the book down every few paragraphs to regain my analytical objectivity. Even still, thought I brought myself back to be fully grounded in the 21st Century, I could not stop the tears from coming. This may be a work of fiction but the truth behind it is very real.

I have seen a few say that they were disappointed with the end of the book. I see reason to differ and say that I am disappointed that the book has ended.

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[Zeal]

I too am a first timer with First Look, and I found the experience to be thought provoking and quite amazing!  The opportunity to discuss and share so many different insights and to see the book through the eyes of others was fascinating and very educational!

The cover alone would have made me pick up The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, but the novel itself was both informative and interesting.  Katherine Howe's ability to write in two time periods and connect them both draws the reader into the story.  The imagery used to develop the characters, setting, and plot made me feel as if I was right there with the characters and experiencing what they were experiencing. 

I also felt this book helped to demonstrate the strength and perseverance of women throughout the ages.  Many struggles have been overcome in the history of women and there are many more to come.  Anything is possible!

Thank you so much Barnes and Noble for providing this opportunity and such a great read!

I appreciate the chance to be a part of this whole process!

Aimee 

[retromom]

This book has it all. Intrigue, mystery, history and romance! I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. This was my third FL book but the first time I felt comfortable to participate much in the discussion. The first 2 FL books I read I really did not enjoy. All it took was a great book to get in on the discussion. I have to say I learned alot from reading others people perceptions of the book. This was a wonderful experience and a wonderful book! Thanks to all who helped to make it happen. I'm sorry to see it end but looking forward to the next book.

[floreader]

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thewanderingjew wrote:

I enjoyed the book until the end when it left the realm of the possible and entered the impossible realm of magic and fantasy. I didn't feel prepared for the ending. It didn't so much as surprise me which would have been okay, but it disappointed me because I hadn't felt that the book was truly about witchcraft as a supernatural experience but rather about the reverse, the unreality of witchcraft as the crime for which the women were hung.

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I agree with you.  The Salem witch trials were such a dark part of American history.  When the novel went down the path of magic and fantasy, I was a little disturbed that such a horrible historical event was being fictionalized as a fantasy.

[PB684]

I would like to thank Katherine Howe and Barnes & Noble for giving us the opportunity to read this wonderful book in the First Look Book Club. This was my fourth First Look book and, by far, my favorite. I really enjoyed the discussions and found that, even though I read ahead, reading everyone's posts (or at least as many as I could!) gave me more of an appreciation of the story than just reading it by myself. I would have loved it either way but having to pull apart each section and analyze it gave me some different perspectives which I found thoroughly enjoyable! I also liked reading some of the predictions as the story unfolded. I think next time I will try not to read ahead of the schedule only because I was sometimes reluctant to post for fear of spoiling something.

I can't wait to see what the next FL selection is and hopefully I will "see" some of you there! I think I will feel a bit lost when this discussion ends...hopefully another of Ms. Howe's books will make it into First Look.

Until next time! PB684

[PinkBaby]

well i must say for awhile that i didnt think i would finish the book. but when it got towards the end of the book  it got better and better. connie turned out to be a very smart and quick thinking person. and for deliverance she had her own  special gift of helping people. igorant and unformed people would call it witchcraft i would call it  just wanting to help people. as for mercy maybe she was a witch. but i think it was more for good than anything else. and when connie threw the manuscript into the fire i have a feeling that it is not really gone  and when sam got sick i had a feeling that someone done something to him.  i wasnt surprised that it was chilton. and arlo the magical little dog i really luv him. he may be small but he is mighty.

[kiakar]

It didn't take but a few pages to fully get into this book. That is the reason I knew it would be a fantastic read. Witchcraft is a subject I could almost say I am very foreign too. Of course, I have heard about it here and there but not in a sense of learned knowledge. This book really did open my eyes to the mystery of witchcraft alot. The person (witch) I believe now is a learned person who heals and can take from the earth and make portions to save people from harm. They are mothers,aunts,grandmothers and so forth. They walked amongst all other women but with a special gift of healing.  I realize this was only a light account of the distress of being accused of witchery but it opens your eyes to the horror of judgment.

[Tarri]

I have been a First Looker since The Monsters of Templeton and I have enjoyed each book (some more than others), because I have been introduced to books that I may not have read without the book club.  I love the discussions and reading everyone's opinions and ideas.  

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane is by far my favorite.  I have already picked up two of the books that Katherine recommended as a continuation of the subject matter and will be buying a hardcover copy of the book as soon as it is published.  Katherine really knows how to reign in the reader and I cannot wait until she finishes her next book.  

 Thanks for a great month, it was definitely worth the wait.  

[LoBugs]

I thought this was a great book. Nice blend of history and interesting charaters. It was easy to picture the whole thing due to the great descriptions. I can't wait for more! There are still so many questions and possibilities.

Thanks to all who made this happen!

[GnANorman]

I've had the opportunity to read a few of the FLBC selections and participate in the discussion.  This has been my favorite so far.  Congratulations to Ms Howe for such a unique look at the Salem Witch era of our history.  I look forward to future endeavors.  Thanks also to our moderator.  Your questions were very thought provoking.  I can't wait to find out what the next selection will be!

[bookowlie]

I really enjoyed reading this book and loved participating in the lively discussion.  The book had a nice blend of mystery, historical fiction, and fantasy.  Before reading this book, I didn't know that much about the Salem witch trials (I guess they skipped over that part of history when I went to school).  This book has made me interested in reading more about that part of history.  I usually don't care for historical fiction, but this book has made me more interested in reading historical fiction in the future.

[debbook]

Thanks Katherine for your great book and lettting us read it. Thank you B&N as usual. Katherine, you have set the bar high for the next FL. I really enjoyed reading about Deliverance Dane and her descendants.

[nicole21WA]

This was my first First Look and it was a great experience!  I'll definitely sign up again.  The book was excellent.  I enjoyed reading the thoughts of others as people brought up things I hadn't thought of or were able to add something to our our understanding by relating their own experiences.  Hearing from the author was also fantastic.  So thanks to all of you for making my reading of this book all the more enjoyable.

[eadieburke]

This truly was a tremendous experience. Being able to hear from the author and editor, ask questions and have the process explained was definitely an added plus. Katherine was so gracious and answered everyone's questions in a very timely fashion. This book also prompted a lot of postings from all of us. All these interactions and opinions were a definite asset to the experience too. 

While at my book club meeting yesterday, I suggested The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane be added to our list. I passed the book around and everyone seem interested and the book was added. We will decide in June what month to read the books on our recent list.

My husband also read the book. He eats lunch at the same restaurant for the past 20 years. They cater to his every whim - they don't serve breakfast but if he wants breakfast they serve it to him. He has been telling all the servers to read this book. They value his opinion, so I'm sure some of them will read the book.

I truly believe that this book will be on the best sellers list very quickly. We have been very fortunate to have been one of the first to have read it. Thanks again Barnes and Noble!

Looking forward to the next read!

[libralady]

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TRJ4SQ wrote:

I had a really hard time getting through this last interlude. I could feel the pain and grief transcend the boundaries of time and it racked me to the very core of my soul. I only accomplished getting to the next chapter by setting the book down every few paragraphs to regain my analytical objectivity. Even still, thought I brought myself back to be fully grounded in the 21st Century, I could not stop the tears from coming. This may be a work of fiction but the truth behind it is very real.

I have seen a few say that they were disappointed with the end of the book. I see reason to differ and say that I am disappointed that the book has ended.

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I totally agree with you when you say you were disappointed that the book ended.  I was not ready to put the book down!  I also agree that the last interlude was hard to get through, but I think it was so critical to the story.  Katherine Howe did a great job with the descriptions and with bringing the reader into the story. 

[Sassy398]

  Katherine Howe is an absolute brillant author. I was very pleased with this reading.

  It was by far, a very enjoyable reading and it would be no problem passing on the

  word about her work and also to recommend her books.  The Physick Book of

 Deliverence Dane was captivating and very difficult to put down. Hopefully there

 will be a part two of this novel???  Thankyou again, Katerine Howe and B&N

 for such a wonderful opportunity.

[TRJ4SQ]

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libralady wrote:

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TRJ4SQ wrote:

I had a really hard time getting through this last interlude. I could feel the pain and grief transcend the boundaries of time and it racked me to the very core of my soul. I only accomplished getting to the next chapter by setting the book down every few paragraphs to regain my analytical objectivity. Even still, thought I brought myself back to be fully grounded in the 21st Century, I could not stop the tears from coming. This may be a work of fiction but the truth behind it is very real.

I have seen a few say that they were disappointed with the end of the book. I see reason to differ and say that I am disappointed that the book has ended.

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I totally agree with you when you say you were disappointed that the book ended.  I was not ready to put the book down!  I also agree that the last interlude was hard to get through, but I think it was so critical to the story.  Katherine Howe did a great job with the descriptions and with bringing the reader into the story. 

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Agreed on all points! The interlude was a poignant final end to Deliverance's story. It was difficult but the truth is not always easy especially in regards to the Trials.