
TITLE: Gorse
AUTHOR: Sam K. Horton
PUBLISHER: Solaris
ISBN: 978-1837860715
PODCAST EPISODE: Forthcoming
REVIEWER: Mark Norman
Gorse, published in September 2024 by Solaris, is the debut novel for Cornish based writer and ex theatre, film and opera costume designer Sam Horton. Living above the Cornish moors, Sam draws extensively on both the landscape and the folklore found within it in fashioning (no pun intended) his plotlines for this novel.
Described as a coming together of Poldark and The Bear and the Nightingale, Gorse is set in the fictional Cornish village of Mirecoombe in the late 18th century and explores the intersection of and frictions between the old folk beliefs of the common folk and the teachings and influence of the Christian church.
Lord Pelargius Hunt acts as a keeper, mediating the lives of the human folk with the creatures of the fey world. For years, the village community have relied on their Keeper to ensure that the peace is kept, meaning that their harvests are successful, their livestock are healthy and everything remains in balance. But times are moving on in Mirecoombe.
Reverend Cleaver, responsible for the spiritual welfare of the community, holds no truck with the superstitious past. Preaching from his pulpit or preaching from the streets, his message is the same. There is no need for charms, old-fashioned customs and beliefs. God’s word is sufficient and everything else must be banished.
But all is not as it seems on the wilds of the moor. Death stalks the people of Mirecoombe and who can come to their aid? Will the church protect them, or do they need more supernatural intervention. Pel and his apprentice Nancy Bligh hold one approach, Cleaver another, and there appears to be little common ground on which to meet. But at the same time, Nancy has powers of her own that even Pel has no experience of.
Gorse is a complex and intricate blend of the folklore of Cornwall and the superstitious beliefs of village communities as we understand them now with a dark fantasy approach, and magic drawing from the mind of the author as much as from the records of the time. But the two complement each other perfectly, knitting together to form an engaging narrative that you will want to stay engrossed with to the end, and potentially beyond.
There is much to learn from Gorse about the old religions, the folk beliefs and medicine of Cornwall in the past and historic village life. But at the same time there is a compelling mystery to be solved and an adventure to share with the main characters. Recommended on every level.
AUTHOR: Sam K. Horton
PUBLISHER: Solaris
ISBN: 978-1837860715
PODCAST EPISODE: Forthcoming
REVIEWER: Mark Norman
Gorse, published in September 2024 by Solaris, is the debut novel for Cornish based writer and ex theatre, film and opera costume designer Sam Horton. Living above the Cornish moors, Sam draws extensively on both the landscape and the folklore found within it in fashioning (no pun intended) his plotlines for this novel.
Described as a coming together of Poldark and The Bear and the Nightingale, Gorse is set in the fictional Cornish village of Mirecoombe in the late 18th century and explores the intersection of and frictions between the old folk beliefs of the common folk and the teachings and influence of the Christian church.
Lord Pelargius Hunt acts as a keeper, mediating the lives of the human folk with the creatures of the fey world. For years, the village community have relied on their Keeper to ensure that the peace is kept, meaning that their harvests are successful, their livestock are healthy and everything remains in balance. But times are moving on in Mirecoombe.
Reverend Cleaver, responsible for the spiritual welfare of the community, holds no truck with the superstitious past. Preaching from his pulpit or preaching from the streets, his message is the same. There is no need for charms, old-fashioned customs and beliefs. God’s word is sufficient and everything else must be banished.
But all is not as it seems on the wilds of the moor. Death stalks the people of Mirecoombe and who can come to their aid? Will the church protect them, or do they need more supernatural intervention. Pel and his apprentice Nancy Bligh hold one approach, Cleaver another, and there appears to be little common ground on which to meet. But at the same time, Nancy has powers of her own that even Pel has no experience of.
Gorse is a complex and intricate blend of the folklore of Cornwall and the superstitious beliefs of village communities as we understand them now with a dark fantasy approach, and magic drawing from the mind of the author as much as from the records of the time. But the two complement each other perfectly, knitting together to form an engaging narrative that you will want to stay engrossed with to the end, and potentially beyond.
There is much to learn from Gorse about the old religions, the folk beliefs and medicine of Cornwall in the past and historic village life. But at the same time there is a compelling mystery to be solved and an adventure to share with the main characters. Recommended on every level.