I was ill-prepared for this book. I mean, I had just finished the Tudors series Gregory wrote (which was fabulous, by the way) and I wanted to read something less dependant on other books before I started the next series I have (the "Wideacre" triology). Reading the back of the novel persuaded me to pick up this book as my next read; it is set in the relative time period of the Tudor books, but the main character was very different from the ladies of court I had previously been reading about.Alys seemed to be an exciting character: was she a witch, a nun, a wise woman or all three? The beginning of the novel had me questioning her character but I was simultaneously sympathizing with her plight. You really do pity Alys at first; growing up unloved in a hovel, being sent to a nunnery by a jealous neighboring family, finding her place in the loving sisters of the nunnery only to have it (and all the women inside) burned in an intentional fire. Alys finds her way back to the shack she shared with an unloving caregiver and her downfall seems complete; I ached for her. It seemed a dark twist of fate when she was summoned to the aid of the rich lord and it was bittersweet that she took so good care of him that he wanted her by his side always. If that was where the story ended, I would have liked Alys, though while feeling bad for her, but the story would have been a little boring and had way too many loose ends. However, the way Gregory advanced the story completely ruined Alys for me. Spells, witchcraft, voodoo dolls and kinky threesomes? Really, Gregory? Really? It was far-fetched, even for me. I love losing myself in a story, but I just couldn't get sucked into the story at that point.The undercurrent of female jealousies and deceit is true Gregory and the only redeeming quality of the book for me. There was just too much weirdness going on in the rest of the story for me; I think of Gregory as a historical fiction writer and this book borderlines magical/science fiction for me. There were good parts of the book, but the majority of the story, as well as the I-can't-think-of-a-better-way-to-end-things ending, overpowered them. Not a book I would read again anytime soon.
This is the first book by Philippa Gregory that I have not enjoyed reading - I finished it because I wanted to know what happened, but I found Alys to be the the least likeable main character of any book I have read for a long time. Also although I like fantasy and science fiction I prefer it in books within those genre's not in a book I am reading for historical context. I have read other books about witches in this period and they were much better as they did not resort to fantastical elements - although I suppose that could have been considered to be in Alys' mind.Alys joins a nunnery to escape the poverty of her life on the moor with her foster mother, Morach, the local wise woman with whom she lives as an outcast, but she soon finds herself thrown back into the world when Henry VIII's wreckers destroy her sanctuary. Summoned to the castle as the old lord's scribe, she falls obsessively in love with his son Hugo, who is married to Catherine. Driven to desperation by her desire, she summons the most dangerous powers Morach has taught her, but soon the passionate triangle of Alys, Hugo, and Catherine begins to explode, launching them into uncharted sexual waters. The magic Alys has conjured now has a life of its own -- a life that is horrifyingly and disastrously out of control. Is she a witch? Since heresy means the stake, and witchcraft the rope, Alys is in mortal danger, treading a perilous path between her faith and her own female power.
What do You think about The Wise Woman (2002)?
Dumb, dumb, dumb. Through much struggle and perserverance I finished this book but wow what a ridiculous story line. I kept waiting for it to all fit together and become a remarkable book (much like Gregory's other novels). It was just so far fetched that it made it completely silly - not to mention the story written to a little over 500 pages could have been told that in have the pages.What a waste of trees!I will read Gregory again but this was a shocker of a disappointment - I wonder how she could have written this.Not to mention the characters where completely the carbon copies of the 'typical' king, queen etc etc. Not orginal personalities at all.Alot of sex - didn't bother me but in no way 'scarey' or haunting.I recommend Greggory for a good read but please save your time and read another of her novels.
—Jennifer
*THE WISE WOMAN* by Phillipa Gregory In this book, originally published after her bestselling debut with the Wideacre trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory takes readers to Henry VIII's England, on a journey to the outer reaches of passion, where magic and female power meet.Alys joins a nunnery to escape the poverty of her life on the moor with her foster mother, Morach, the local wise woman with whom she lives as an outcast, but she soon finds herself thrown back into the world when Henry VIII's wreckers destroy her sanctuary. Summoned to the castle as the old lord's scribe, she falls obsessively in love with his son Hugo, who is married to Catherine. Driven to desperation by her desire, she summons the most dangerous powers Morach has taught her, but soon the passionate triangle of Alys, Hugo, and Catherine begins to explode, launching them into uncharted sexual waters. The magic Alys has conjured now has a life of its own — a life that is horrifyingly and disastrously out of control.Is she a witch? Since heresy means the stake, and witchcraft the rope, Alys is in mortal danger, treading a perilous path between her faith and her own female power.*****Rate this 5/5. This is one of the earliest books written by Ms. Gregory and it was a great book. I had read her books on the Boleyns and Henry the Eighth, but decided to give this a try and I am glad that I did.
—RNOCEAN
I have read almost all of Philippa Gregory’s other novels and I am now going back to some of her “older” books. Finding The Wise Woman, I was excited to read it but after the first few pages I was utterly disappointed. It was a struggle just to complete the book and I always finish books no matter how good or bad. If I had not read her other books to know I enjoy her as an author I would have walked away from this book and never picked up on of her books again. The main character was utterly unsympathetic, as were most of the other characters. As a result, it was hard to get invested in any of their outcomes. The portions of the book concerning witchcraft were interesting but I am not into fantasy so it was a tad far fetched. Over all a terrible, horrible, no good very bad book.
—Amy
