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    The Minister's Daughter
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    The Minister's Daughter
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    The Minister's Daughter
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Minister's Daughter

    Written by Julie Hearn

    Narrated by Heather O'Neill

    3.5/5

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    Currently unavailable

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    About this audiobook

    Conceived on a May Morning, Nell is claimed by the piskies and faeries as a merrybegot, one of their own. She is a wild child: herb gatherer and healer, spell-weaver and midwife . . . and, some say, a witch.

    Grace is everything Nell is not. She is the Puritan minister's daughter: beautiful and refined, innocent and sweet-natured . . . to those who think they know her. But she is hiding a secret-a secret that will bring everlasting shame to her family should it ever come to light.

    A merrybegot and a minister's daughter-two girls who could not have less in common. Yet their fates collide when Grace and her younger sister, Patience, are suddenly spitting pins, struck with fits, and speaking in fevered tongues. The minister is convinced his daughters are the victims of witchcraft. And all signs point to Nell as the source of the trouble. . . .

    Set during the tumultuous era of the English Civil War, The Minister's Daughter is a spellbinding page-turner-stunning historical fiction that captures the superstition, passion, madness, and magic of a vanished age.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJun 14, 2005
    ISBN9780307245496
    Author

    Julie Hearn

    Julie Hearn was born in Abingdon, England, near Oxford, and has been writing all her life. After studying to be a journalist, she worked in Australia and lived in Spain, before returning to England, where she worked as a features editor and columnist. She is now a full-time writer. Her first book published in the United States was The Minister's Daughter.

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    Reviews for The Minister's Daughter

    3.5/5

    141 ratings12 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I love this book. The plot is simple but perfectly worked out. What makes this book so special, though, is the rich quality of the prose. It's funny and earthy and poetic and tender. Julie Hearn is a very clever writer.
    • 4/5
      I love when books talk about heresy and heretics and this one didn’t disappoint! While it was sometimes slow, I bet it was carefully planned for us to get attached to Nell (the MC) and her granny because I truly did. They are so sweet and lovable though persecuted. Also, the ending...! It left me baffled and wanting more. Questioning, too. But the author made sure I would remember it even in my old days. I recommend it without a doubt!
    • 4/5
      Review from BadelyngeIt is Spring 1645 and the first English Civil War is drawing to its inevitable close. King Charles I holds onto his freedom by a thread with his loyalist supporters holding only small pockets of the Midlands & North Wales with his son (Charles II to be) hiding out in the West Country (Cornwall). Matthew Hopkins, self-styled Witch-finder General plies his lucrative and deadly business stirring the countryside to find and nail any suspected of using the Dark Arts. Against this historical backdrop Julie Hearn tells her story of the Merrybegot (a child conceived on Beltane morning who has a special affinity to nature and the healing arts or to some - a witch). The countryside is alive with Piskies and Fairies though you might never see one. The book could be described as a fanciful precursor to the Salem Witch Trials that occurred in New England half a century later. Although I don't rate this one as being as good as Hearn's debut book (Follow Me Down) or Rowan the Strange, I did think it was a very enjoyable read, with pleasing characterisations - some feat considering that one of the characters I ended up caring so much for is a rather foolish chicken. The story is told primarily from our young Nell's point of view with a more retrospective and untrustworthy alternative suplied by the eventual confessions of Patience Madden - one of a pair of sisters who accuse Nell of ill wishing them. The author also does a great job weaving some fascinating folklore and real herbcraft into the narrative.
    • 3/5
      The Minister’s Daughter takes place in 1645 in England during the time when local healers were accused and, usually convicted, of practicing witchcraft. When Grace, the minister’s older daughter, seeks out to Nell, the village healer’s granddaughter and next in line for the title, to terminate her pregnancy, Nell refuses because the unborn child is a Merrybegot like herself, a special child conceived on Mayday. Grace, rather than confessing her pregnancy, manipulates her younger sister, Patience, her father, and the villagers into believing that Nell, through the works of Satan and witchcraft, has put a curse on her stomach. I found The Minister’s Daughter somewhat challenging to read. With the structure of the book transitioning between the confession of Patience Madden, one of the Minister’s daughters, and dated chapters in third person, I never could get a grasp on what was happening in the story. Thankfully, the second half of the book became a real page turner and the storyline began to make sense. Before reading this book, I would suggest one have background knowledge of the witch trials of the 1600’s and understand the meaning of such words as Merrybegot and piskies.
    • 4/5
      Book Review TemplateAuthor last name, first name. Title. Year. Publisher: City.Hearn, Julie. The Minister’s Daughter. 2006. Ginee Seo Books: New York.Genre: Young Adult Historical FictionoThemes: Vengeance, Judgment, Religious intolerance, family loyaltyAge / Grade Appropriateness: 13 and olderAwards: Aesop Accolade ALA Best Books For Young Adults Kirkus Editor's Choice Censorship Issues: fantasy, witchcraft, unflattering treatment of religious menPlot Summary (Summarize the plot in 250 words or less): Set in 17th Century England, The Minister’s Wife is a novel that deals with the issues of revenge, judgment, and family loyalty. Nell struggles to find her place in life, and finally becomes comfortable with being the local “healer” when she is confronted with her most challenging case. The minister’s daughter, Grace, is pregnant with a child she conceived on May 1st, the same day Nell herself was conceived more than 13 years prior. For this reason, Nell simply cannot “cure” Grace of her condition; “nature takes care of its own.” Since Nell won’t help, Grace enacts a carefully crafted plan to both save her reputation and ruin Nell and her grandmother. Enabling the help of her sister, Patience, Grace enacts her master plan. She begins to plant the seeds of doubt about Nell’s talent. Is it magic or witchcraft? Have the townspeople been wrong to trust in this magic? Grace herself does not accuse anyone of witchcraft directly, rather she insinuates that Nell is dangerous, and the minister goes along with this plan. Only when Nell is facing the gallows does the minister discover a long forgotten secret. Nell is, by way of his deceased wife’s adulterous affair, his daughters’ sister; and his deceased wife believed in and practiced this “magic.” Nell, Grace, Patience, and the minister all go on to live the lives they were supposed to, but the minister and Patience never find peace.Critique (Consider if the book fits the bill of a YA book as we have discussed /read. Include your opinion of the book here as well): This book definitely meets the criteria of Young Adult literature. The protagonist, Nell, is responsible for her own fate and makes her own decisions, rather than relying solely on her grandmother. Nell does face the challenges that often accompany youth. She does not feel attractive; she chooses to wear her hair short because she doesn’t like the way it looks long. She also deals with constant judgment by both her peers and the adults in the town. While teens may not relate to the magic areas of the novel, they can all relate to Nell’s feeling of inadequacy in her healing powers. I thought this book was very well-written. I do find that some criticisms of YA literature would not fit here. Julie Hearn uses foreshadowing and literary allusions in this novel, which make it interesting to read and analyze. Curriculum Uses (Possible uses in the classroom / school library / public library): This story could be used in the English classroom to accompany works such as The Crucible. It could also be used in the American history class to discuss the British Civil War, the witch trials in England, and religious intolerance that led to exploration and settling the American colonies.
    • 1/5
      Essentially, this is a young-adult blend of the Salem witch trials and a fantasy-creatures book. (In England, not Salem, but a Puritan witch hunt all the same.) Since it begins as a straightforward-seeming historical novel, I was really surprised when the fantasy element was introduced, when it became clear that the mentions of "piskies" and "fairymenchildren" were real and not just excuses for old-timey dialogue. At first this was exciting, but ultimately I think the blend is really really awkward. I wouldn't guess that, for example, a scene in which a teenage midwife attends to the delivery of a fairy birth could be so boring. Maybe this is just because by chance I read this book immediately after Elske, but I saw the main drive of the plot coming as soon as I read the dustjacket. I'd put forth a theory that midwives should soon be off-limits subjects for historical fiction, in the "not trying hard enough" category, except that it was one of my favorites as a young adult reader (Karen Cushman anyone?) and also it can be quite powerful when utilized well for plot or atmosphere.HEY LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT. I have to explain something. Here's a synopsis of part of the story: There's a pregnant girl. Her family's Puritan. So the pregnant girl comes to the midwife protagonist to say, I really need this to stop and I think you can help. And the midwife is like, ok I believe you, and yes I have "old ways" that will help you out of this, let me do that right now. And the girl says, OMG thank you. And the midwife says, wait a minute, is there a small chance that this conception occurred on this particular day that is special to my pagan beliefs? And the girl is like, I have no freaking clue which day it was, so maybe yes. And the midwife is like, well, I have to change my mind now, because my traditional religion prevents me from harming this child if it is sacred in this way, as ending the pregnancy would go against nature. EVEN THOUGH I truly think that your father might murder you as soon as he realizes you've shamed him, I've gotta rescind this offer. And since I am the NICE character and you are the MEAN character, the story indicates this is 100% the right thing to happen!Because then, for the remainder of the story, this pregnant girl is the villain. The midwife protagonist continues to enjoy her magical pagan beliefs, they are portrayed to the reader as sweet and natural and earthy and we learn more about them. We hear things like "Whatever is set in motion once ... the Powers [are] summoned is meant to be... I knew that your coming was inevitable." Their description of their faith in their customs sounds exactly like how contemporary fundamentalist Christians describe their beliefs, but here it is meant to be lovely and folksy -- and factual. The story rewards the midwife's decision because when the baby is born, it is indeed a sacred child as suspected and given special mystical treatment by "the Powers" just like she said. See, isn't it good she didn't help the girl get an abortion? THAT BABY COULD END UP PRESIDENT.How do your free-spirited non-Christian protagonists end up more conservative than THE PURITANS? What's most frustrating is that I think this is all completely accidental on Julie Hearn's part. Biographical facts seem to indicate she's not intentionally putting across an anti-abortion screed; she has a masters degree in women's studies from Oxford, and references her research of feminist criticism. And I don't think she meant to portray an informative, cautionary story of how all types of ideologies can lead to suppression of women's freedom. MOST LIKELY, she is just an author who is simply thoughtless in her pursuit of style. I think Julie Hearn just likes fairies. What a disappointing reason to let girls down.
    • 3/5
      Plot Summary: The novel is set in southwestern England during the English Civil War and between 1645 and 1692. Plot driven and well written, the novel blends historical fiction with adventure and a little magic which includes fairies, pixies (spelled piskies in the novel) and Merrybegots. The novel alternates between a diary written, by Patience Madden, in first person, and dated chapters using third person point of view. Although most of the characters in the novel are static and flat, the protagonist, Nell, is well developed and likable. The minister’s daughters, Patience and Grace Madden accuse the local healer and her granddaughter, Nell, of witchcraft in order to cover up a secret---Grace’s out of wedlock pregnancy. When Nell refuses to help Grace “get rid of” the unborn child, Grace’s wrath is brought to bear on Nell and her grandmother. But many years later, the sisters’ lies come back to haunt them in Salem, Massachusetts. Toward the end of the book, the author mentions Betty Parris, Abigail Williams, and Annie Putnam characters familiar to those who’ve read The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Other historical characters mentioned in the novel were Oliver Cromwell, Charles II, and Nell Gwyn, an English considered the first English actress and a mistress of Charles II.Critique: When I read the book jacket, it stated that Julie Hearn was a student of Philip Pullman; I thought I’d chosen another boring book. Although it was a little slow and confusing in the beginning, I really enjoyed the historical fictional novel staying awake until 3 a.m. to finish it. I enjoyed the blending of historical fiction, adventure and a little magic. The fairies and piskies reminded me more of Irish folklore than of English which probably explains in part my fascination with the novel.Curriculum Uses: This book uses the social/political history approach and would perfect for use in a World History, World Religion, American Literature or History (11th grade), or British Literature (12th grade) classroom. Anyone interested in historical fiction, the Salem Witch Trials or the Civil War in England would enjoy this book.
    • 4/5
      The story is told from two perspectives: third-person, present tense narration describes events in England in 1645 and first-person past tense narration through Patience's eyes. In 1645, England is fighting a civil war and the Puritans amuse themselves by torturing and killing witches. Patience's story, told in a courtroom in 1692, give us another view of the truth.Nell is the granddaughter of the local healer. Granny is starting to lose touch with reality and Nell tries to learn as much as she can about the healing arts before her grandmother dies. Grace, the minister's beautiful daughter, sneaks out to meet a boy and ends up pregnant. Afraid to tell her father the truth, she decides to accuse Nell and her grandmother of witchcraft. She gets her gullible younger sister to join her, and the two girls pretend to be under a curse. The villagers quickly sink into a mob mentality and capture Nell's grandmother and then Nell herself.Fairies and piskies add a touch of fantasy, but overall, I would classify this book as historical fiction. While the old-fashioned way the characters speak and the switch in perspective may give some readers a hard time, it doesn't take long to become entranced by this marvelous story.
    • 2/5
      I really enjoyed this one, and it wasn't what I was expecting at all. It was tons better than the next book written by [author: Julie Hearn], [book:Ivy]. It was my favourite book the summer I read it, and I found the cast of characters to be interesting an realistic.
      I also didn't like that the title was changed from Merrybegot to The Minister's Daughter in the States. I think it gave away too much of the story, and Merrybegot just sounds better.
    • 4/5
      Will Nell and her grandmother be convicted as witches after the minister's daughter tries to hide her pregnancy by saying she has been cursed by a witch? Will the village turn against the very people who have healed and birthed them? Find out in this captivating book.
    • 5/5
      The novel is enthralling and enchanting, hard to put down once you start. In the English country in the seventeenth century, Nell lives with her wisewoman grandmother, the town herbalist, midwife, and spellbringer. Nell is a Merrybegot, a child sacred to nature, born on May Morning. She likes to frolic and hates restraint, which the new minister has brought down upon the town.The minister’s eldest daughter, Grace Madden, is a beautiful, proud, conniving girl. After a secret affair with the blacksmith’s son, Grace is pregnant. Fearing the shame will bring down on her family, she pleads to Nell for help in getting rid of the baby. But Nell refuses, suspecting that the unborn might be a Merrybegot like herself.Suddenly Grace and her younger sister Patience are both shrieking, having fits, and blathering. The minister is beside himself. Grace claims that the Devil has taken over Nell, and that’s who is causing her to feel so ill. Accused of being a witch, Nell finds her life in danger. Everything she does can be used against her. Will her life end at the gallows like the many other accused in nearby towns, or will being a child sacred to nature save her life in the end?This book is great. The characters feel real and the suspense is in every chapter and never lets up, except for the ending which I felt was too easily wrapped up. Nevertheless, this a great book for anyone who enjoys fantasy, historical fiction, or paranormal stories.
    • 4/5
      In Puritan England Nell is a merrybegot, concieved on May morning, believed to have witch power and being trained as a cunning woman by her grandmother who is beginning to lose her senses and her sanity. When Nell tries to help the Ministers' daughters she finds that it's only making things worse and then Matthew Hopkins turns up to search for witches. With Piskies and royalty this is quite a good read and captures the period quite well without being too slavish to it. Was recommended to my by someone in the Schools and Childrens department and I have to agree that it's good.From the reviews of the Minister's Daughter it's the same book as the Merrybegot.