In the Heart of Hidden Things

The Gyrford Series #1

by Kit Whitfield

The inhabitants of the village of Gyrford live mostly in harmony with their neighbours in the Forest, and that is in large part down to the fairy-smiths, Jedediah, his son Matthew and grandson Johnny, for only fairy-smiths can intercede with the People when a problem arises - like when one of the fae - who, in fairness, does looks a lot like a thornbush with a blackberry for a head - is dug up and transplanted by someone who didn't know any better and is now determined to wreak vengeance on anyone it can.

That's not the only problem, for there's a skinflint landlord determined to sell the mill and kick out the family who've run it for untold generations. And a young boy who was clearly damaged by the People at birth is spending most of his time trying to get into the Forest, which is forbidden territory for all but a very few men.

There's even a rumour that Black Hal has been seen running - fire strikes from the great hound's heels, they said, and his eyes are the red of coals.

So one way or another, the Smiths have got a lot on their plate, and a lot of people depending on them . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fantasy, Fairies, British Literature

400 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2022

About the author

Kit Whitfield grew up in London. In her time, she has trained as a chef and a masseur, as well as working as a website editor, quote hunter, toy shop assistant and publisher.

Reviews

[Fiona Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

To deal with a grove, you must first place iron bands around the trees, and fell them only after they are shackled. This will hold for a while, but iron rusts and must be maintained. If you can keep the People out of the grove for seven years and seven days, they generally take the point, but if you let the iron fail before then, you can expect worse than thorns in your bed and blood in your porridge: you can expect the People after you with all the fury of a stolen home, and they will seize you so thoroughly that it's a matter of priestly speculation whether even your soul will be able to escape to Heaven. Certainly your body is unlikely to be found, at least in any form your own mother would recognise.

I read Kit Whitfield at a pretty critical time for me, and Benighted has been one of the books I'd save first in a fire ever since. In the 13 years since her last book, I've checked in on her blog from time to time, not because I think any author owes their readers anything, but just because she'd made that huge of an impression with her work. And then, this year, came In the Heart of Hidden Things, completely out of nowhere - and if you'd like to imagine that moment in the Grinch where his heart grew three sizes, well, that's up to you, and you're totally not wrong. It's been a weird few years, and this meant even more as a result.

So a positive rating is probably not a surprise, but I think every reader has had the experience of going back to a huge favourite and finding they've lost that connection with the author in the years since they last read it. Luckily for me, nothing has changed. The writing here is beautiful, the story is sweet, occasionally horrifying, and most of all completely absorbing.

In the Heart of Hidden Things is a story of the village of Gyrford, a village where people share lands with People, fairyfolk that seem to be commonplace wherever and whenever this village might be (a mostly undetermined but Europeanish and middle-ages-esque setting). Central to keep that situation rubbing along without bloodshed are the fairy-smiths, families who work iron and know the ways of keeping the peace with humanity's more mysterious neighbours. The story revolves around one such family, the Smiths, and their efforts to keep that very peace as events start to conspire to make that truly challenging.

I loved this, and though I'm obviously predisposed to, I'd urge any T. Kingfisher or Charlie Holmberg fans to consider trying someone new. This is a phenomenal story and the more people who get to enjoy it, the better.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the setting and characters but it was lacking a bit of energy. Even when people literally died and the main character was running for his life it just didn't feel very dramatic.

[Demmie Sunnanväder Hellberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jag var så taggad på denna boken! Men det blev lite meh? ”In the Heart of Hidden Things” beskrivs vara en underlig och magisk bok där vi får följa familjen Smith, som är ”fairysmiths” och tar hand om alla problem relaterat till ”the Fey”.

Bam! Det krävs inte så mycket för att sälja in mig på en bok! Men! Jag ville verkligen tycka om denna bok så mycket, för jag tycker verkligen om våra huvudkaraktärer Jerediah, Matthew och John!

Kit Whitfield skriver fantastiskt bra också! Så välartikulerade och tydliga karaktärer, bra miljöbeskrivning etc… Det vara bara det att det fattades så mycket energi genom bokens gång? En gång tänkte jag helt ärligt att det var som att läsa om en vanlig svenssons familjs vardag bara att det är inblandat lite feer… Haha!

Nä men i byn uppkommer ofta feproblem. Dem håller på med lite bus helt enkelt. Det större problemet är Black Hal, som är en skitläskig hund som mördar lite hejvilt ibland. En natt mördar Black Hal en ond karaktärer i boken en mystisk natt, och jag trodde att det var här spänningen skulle komma in! Men nej! Det blev bara så löjligt downplayed…? Alla accepterade att gubben var död och att Black Hal varit ute och luskat, det var inte mer med det? Jaha?!?! En random eld hund bara mördade någon under mystiska omständigheter och alla tar detta med sånt lugn? Som att det skulle vara likställt med att köpa mjölk en torsdag?

Ja nä, boken var lite lackluster. Författaren hade så många goda chanser att göra boken mer händelserik och intressant, men den kändes mest lång… Om det inte varit för att karaktärerna var så välskrivna, främst lilla quirky John, hade det tagit evigheter för mig att ta mig genom boken…

Den handlade i princip bara om familjens Smiths intriger med en skitstörig rik snubbe som misshandlar sin fru och vill sprida havoc i byn genom att plåga sina hyresgäster… Som tur dör han i slutet haha, vilket jag helt ärligt längtade efter (jag är smått sjuk ja) eftersom han var så jäkla hatisk heeeeeela tiden. Det kändes mer som en lång episod av lyxfällan…

Boken får ändå en trea eftersom handlingen ändå var intressant ibland? Plus att jag gillade karaktärerna! Dock så har jag ju beställt tvåan i serien som är över 600 sidor… Om den är lika energilös vet jag inte var jag tar vägen…

[Graculus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one where I wavered between 3 and 4 stars - yes, that's how things seem to be working for me at the moment - before deciding that it wasn't a book that particularly stood out and plumping for the lower rating as a result. Possibly this was also due to the fact I had to have two goes at starting this book, as at one point I read the first couple of chapters, then put it down and when I picked it up again I couldn't remember who anyone was...

This is fantasy set in faux-19th century England, with the fae always ever-present and the role of the local smiths being not just dealing with ironworking but also dealing with the fae and their human encounters. There's also a regular visitation from a large black dog, much like the Black Shuck of the area where I grew up, which plays a significant role in the plot as we go along. The storyline here is particularly focussed on one family of Smiths, three generations with the youngest an adolescent boy, as they're drawn into issues around keeping everyone safe and dealing with the less pleasant members of their (human) community.

There's some solid world-building here and I mostly enjoyed In the Heart of Hidden Things but was left feeling a bit disjointed at the end of it all. Teenage lads as main characters, which this partly is, tend to be a tough sell for me and it felt a bit like the women in the book played decidedly second fiddle roles in comparison. One woman felt as though she was mostly there to demonstrate how bad her husband was, rather than as a character in her own right, for example. Also teenagers in love, not my favourite thing, though at least that was a minor sub-plot and actually used partly for other purposes than just being there for the sake of it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.

[Fiona Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming fantasy mystery

Perfect for fans of CL Polk and Jo Walton, this novel takes place in a small town where interference from fairy creatures— black shucks, walking bramble bushes, talking cats— is an everyday hazard. The too-convenient death of a disliked landowner stirs the town up over whether the cause was fairy or human. The worldbuilding is intricate and clever and the characters ones you really care about.

[Chad D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five personally idiosyncratic stars. It isn't for everyone, hard to say how many it's for, but most definitely for me, checks boxes I didn't even know were on my list.

Such as:
*Small-town story of people and fairies in a world that seems not too far from where Jonathan Strange is working.

*What you love about small towns, and what you hate: the loyalty and friendship, the petty ruthless abusers and their victims, good secrets, dark secrets, family histories that stretch back beyond anyone's memory and make each person the dappled moral agent they can't help but be.

*Well-realised vivid characters of the small-town sort exactly, with quirks that shade toward or galumph over the border of neurodivergence and diagnosability.

*A reasonable and even persuasive cooperation between Christianity and fairies, cheek by jowl.

*A leisurely plot relatively tightly ordered in retrospect, and intelligent prose at the right pitch for rural Fairyland.

Tl;dr: sequel ordered. Kit Whitfield can write as many of these as she likes, if anyone's asking me.

[Rachel Drenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has this author been, and why is the second book so hard to find?

Such a wonderful story with a unique storyline. I stayed up for hours to finish this and it's a long book.
I hope the author continues to write as much as she can, I just hope I can find the books easier.

[Tim Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some interesting ideas here, but it's just so s-l-o-w and it's a good-sized book. I just don't have the patience.

[Rach_reads.books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally chose this book based on its title and cover, which is a beautiful tangle of thorns under a moonlit sky. It spoke to me of a story with dark nature elements and a slight magical vibe.

The Heart of Hidden Things is set in a 19th century English village where a family of Smith's are not only responsible for iron works, they also protect their village from the business of the Fae. Where the digging up and moving of what appears to be a blackberry bush has unusual consequences.

I enjoyed the writing style and felt I was reading something that was written in its time-It's reference to people being of simple mind or touched by the Fae to describe those who were different. The descriptions of Gryford created vivid pictures in my imagination, I could see the Smith's riding their horse drawn cart down Chalk Lane.

We meet alot of characters in this book, sometimes more than I thought I needed to read about as at times I struggled to follow what was happening with each character. Some are pleasent, honest folk, while others grotesquely vile to their core. There is a fair amount of world building and character back story which I felt at times deviated from the main story. I would have preferred more direct focus on key characters.

Regardless, of this I did enjoy the read that was steeped in British folklore of fairy rings, tree spirits, talking animals and a deamon black hound.

Trigger warnings
Domestic abuse

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this title.

[Sissela Uisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen. This book is a delight. And now that I’ve gotten to know the inimitable, irrepressible, funny, heartwarming character John Smith, ten-year-old fairy smith, I want more books about him & his life & his village. And I can’t wait to read everything Kit Whitfield has written.

[Deea MC · Rating 3 out of 5]

the slow pace made me struggle with it.

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You do not war with the People unless they war on you, but if matters edge towards a precipice, the fairy-smith will be the one to fight for you.”

My thanks to Quercus Books Jo Fletcher Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘In the Heart of Hidden Things’ by Kit Whitfield.

I am always drawn to novels that feature aspects of British folklore including faerie lore. Kit Whitfield’s debut novel seemed ideal. The novel opens with an extract from The Changeling by Charlotte Mew from which it obtains its title:
“Sometimes I wouldn’t speak, you see,
Or answer when you spoke to me,
Because in the long, still dusks of Spring
You can hear the whole world whispering . . .
Everything there is to hear
In the heart of hidden things.”

A few plot details: In the village of Gyrford and the surrounding county for generations the Smith family has provided protection from the People through their use of cold iron. The patriarch of the family Jeremiah and his son, Matthew, are both sensible men. However, Matthew’s son, John, is a little different. He appears to be fascinated by the woods and is described by his mother, Janet, as having at times a ‘starey look’. He was also able to communicate with an unusual cat. All possible signs of his being ‘fairy touched’, which is not a helpful trait for a fairy-smith.

While the Smiths regularly shield the vulnerable there are those who resent this. Ephraim Brady, a cruel and bitter man, enjoys hurting those who cross him. He might not be able to touch the older Smiths but he can use his money and power to hurt those that they care about - especially the Ware family.

Eleven-year-old Tobias Ware was born on a night when the blazing fey dog Black Hal had roared past the Wares' gate. Tobias does not understand the
language or laws of men and is unable to stay away from the Bellame woods. If caught there it would be trespassing, a hanging offence. The Smiths are determined to aid the Ware family in shielding Toby from all threats.

Chatty cats, feisty bramble bushes, helpful and tricky Fae, and a gigantic fey hound are a few of the delights of this historical fantasy that also explores themes of family and community. It also serves as a coming-of-age tale for John. There is even a sweet love story between two supporting characters. Whitfield expertly blends her myriad themes into the narrative creating a rich tapestry.

I did find the novel a little slow at the start though this allowed Whitfield to establish her ‘once upon a time’ world in which the People inhabit the woods and the human population must utilise the skills of the fairy-smiths to create the cold iron talismans that repel the Fae.

I found that soon I was completely gripped and couldn’t put the novel down. I didn’t want it to end!

Beneath the surface, Whitfield uses the concept of those who are ‘faerie touched’ to subtly explore neuro-diversity. She writes in her Author’s Note: “I never set out to make this book ‘about’ special needs or neurodivergence; . I am, however, a member of a neurodivergent family. … basically I’m one of those people who usually gets taken for neurotypical but is considered a bit ‘quirky’’ (I can certainly relate having been considered by some ‘away with the faeries’ for most of my life.) Whitfield includes suggestions for further reading on the subject as well as internet resources.

Overall, I loved this novel finding Kit Whitfield’s storytelling quite extraordinary with memorable characters and excellent world building. I was a little sad that its audiobook edition isn’t available until mid-July though I am planning to buy it then so that I may revisit this amazing novel in the near future.

Highly recommended.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

We build our houses with sense and geometry and plough our fields with toil and patience, and all the while, a blink away are the People, dancing and tearing, gifting and stealing, snatching up fury and scattering light, feeding on air. [loc. 48]

In a rural, pre-industrial setting with strong overtones of England, three generations of Smiths are walking through the forest with a friend of the family, Franklin Thorpe. When Franklin accidentally steps off the path, it's Matthew Smith who rescues him from the fairy ring, while Matthew's son John is sent to fetch snails as a gift for the inhabitants of the ring, and Matthew's father Jedediah reproves John for his abstracted air. Truly, John can't help his fascination with the People, also known as the 'kind friends': there's a rumour that he was conceived the same night as his mother Janet had some dealings with the fae. But when John tries to save the mute, wild lad Tobias -- who's liable to be hanged for poaching, and to enable wicked landlord Ephraim Brady to score a point against his tenants -- he overreaches himself.

There's a shuck-like figure called Black Hal (seen seven times a year, brings death to those he hunts) and a disdainful and easily-offended talking cat, not to mention a bramble-bush that's home to an entity who doesn't care for being uprooted: but there are also cruel landlords, iniquitious Lord Robert, and unsteady husbands. And at the heart of the novel is John, whose unique perceptions reveal inconvenient truths and the ways in which they can be remedied. And John is not a lonely outcast, but is surrounded by his family and friends.

I liked this novel very much indeed. John (and, perhaps to a greater extent, Tobias) are affected by the People's influence in ways that reflect neurodivergent behaviour, and that mindset has unexpected benefits when it comes to making deals with, and outmanouevring, the kind friends who live 'a blink away'. Whitfield's prose is calm and measured and occasionally very unnerving through its understatement. ('The verges streamed past him, everything in manic flow, and the sky was clenched, the light squeezing out of it like blood draining from pressed flesh.') There are frequent digressions, old stories, scenes of smithcraft, anecdotes and asides: this is not a book that cuts to the chase. As soon as I'd finished it I bought the next in the series, All the Hollow of the Sky (at full price!), which should indicate my regard for this, the first in a series.

Kit Whitfield writes in her afterword that 'I live among the hidden things, and my normal is very far away from what most people think of when they hear the word ...I didn’t decide to write neurodivergent characters when I began this book. I just wrote characters that appealed to me, and at a certain point noticed what I was doing.' Her son is autistic and ADHD.

[Taylor Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering traditional faerie folklore is probably my most favourite genre, I was unfortunately left a bit deflated by this book. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the plot; I enjoyed parts, and I became fond of the Smith family, but I think I set myself expectations that weren’t met.

I expected there to be more mention of fae folk themselves, and more fae characters in general, with there being only two fae folk making an appearance throughout the entire book itself.

If I hadn’t given myself expectations with this book, I think I may have appreciated and enjoyed it more, but with each chapter I was left waiting and wanting for mention of fae.

I will also say, that the story itself was very slow and detailed (which isn’t necessarily an issue for me) but it’s worth mentioning considering some people do not enjoy slow plots. I felt the entire book had a sedate pace, moving at the speed of a considerably ‘gentle stroll’.

On a positive note, I would say this book was very well thought out; I grew fond of the characters.

I would pick up another one of Whitfield’s books, but more likely if John Smith is the protagonist.

It is difficult giving a 3 star review; part of me feels guilty. But, ultimately, honesty is important, and a 3 star rating doesn’t insinuate that I dislike the book or the author.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a small community living in a fairy-haunted world, and the family who is tasked with keeping things safe.

The struggles that the people of Gyrford face are in some ways very different to Britain in 2022, and in some ways very similar. Yes, they have a ghost-dog hunting at night, and living bramble-bushes attacking people, but the real threats are the oppression of the poor by the wealthy, and the marginalised by the powerful. Bad landlords threaten their tenants, a child with special needs is bullied, a friendless woman suffers increasing domestic violence. The Smith family do their best to keep their neighbours safe from both fairy and human threat, but there is a limit to their powers, and when a violent man learns to manipulate the fairy world, things go desperately wrong.

This is a beautifully written book, for people who like their fantasy to cast light on our society, rather than offering a pure escape from it. While the story does resolve happily, I found that it was the melancholy of the middle section that stayed with me. The characters are well-drawn, with both the self-centred villains and the struggling heroes all too believable. I’d heartily recommend it, but don’t expect to come away from the novel unmoved.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit Whitfield’s folk fantasy novel In the Heart of Hidden Things tells the story of a family of village smiths who have rather more on their plate than worrying about horseshoes and the like. That’s because, apart from engaging in ordinary smithing work, they’re also fairysmiths, which means they’re responsible for sorting out any trouble the villagers run into with the People, the fey folk inhabiting the forest all around them.

Told in a gentle, almost understated style, the story turns truly wild when a Scrooge-like landlord enters the scene, and it soon becomes clear that the People aren’t the worst menace threatening the villagers’ peace…

What made me like this book so especially much was, above all, Whitfield’s depiction of the villagers’ relationship with the People, who were on the one hand part of their daily lives and taken for granted, but at the same time only vaguely understood and therefore also eery and unpredictable. I often find fantasy authors’ treatments of magic irritatingly in-your-face, so Whitfield’s subtle approach made for a refreshing change. I altogether felt so at home in the world she’d created that I didn’t really want to leave it.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely gentle, old fashioned, slow paced, book with a mild West Coun’ry accent.

The People seem mostly to be little bramble dryads, though there clearly are much bigger, more terrifying People in the area, including Black Hal, a kind of hell hound that is known to run up Chalk Lane. They are secretive folk and do not wish to be disturbed.

The main human characters, the Fairy Smith family are good common folk of the village, whose son, John, may have been touched by the people before he was born. There is lots of characterisation and in-depth consideration of how to deal with interpersonal relations with difficult people. There is also love and help and friendship.

I liked this book because it put more weight on character than plot. There is a plot, and a good one, but how characters develop in deep and meaningful ways is also a strong focus.

[Johanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow pacing, which only works up to a point - my notes included "why is the epilogye so long".
I liked the focus on relationships between characters - familial and within the village. A couple of conrasting views of abusive relationships (historical vs current) and different responses to them. Even the villain got different aspects of his character explored a bit, but he needed more.
The plot was a bit too convenient and a bit boring - would be far more interesting if e.g. Epharim Brady survived - but this was off the back of a re-reading of Diana Wynne Jones' Fire and Hemlock so it was onto a loser from the start.
Overall the book seemed a bit simplistic given the depth of the characters.

[Davina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which gradually reveals a detailed world where the fey and faerie-smiths are an every day reality, and weaves each character's perspective into a narrative tapestry. I appreciated getting to know the individual characters in detail, and at times it has the air of a murder mystery, so it was hard to put down, because I wanted solve the puzzles and I couldn't often guess how things would work out. And under all this, a much deeper theme, what does it mean to be human, to live in community, to be a good neighbour? Not in a heavy way, just emerging naturally from the narrative. A book I will be able to keep and re-read just for the joy of it.

[Amy Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been on my to-read list for ages, and I wasn't disappointed. It's hard to place in a genre - sort of historical magical realism? The author has asked the question, 'What if the superstitions of earlier centuries were, in fact, perfectly sensible and true?' and the world she created to answer that question is brilliant because it brings us closer to an understanding of how people really did think and behave when they held these beliefs.
Against this well-imagined background, there's a gripping plot, great characters, exploration of neurodiversity in quite an inventive way and a satisfying finish that still made me want a sequel. Recommended.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the style of writing and appreciated the references to folklore. This is not fast paced and action packed story, this is a story that talks about people who live in Gyrford in an alternate XIX century.
The author did a lot of work in recreating a simil XIX century language and developed a fascinating a complex world building.
I wasn't a fan of John, a bit too juvenile, but I found the plot entertaining and compelling.
I hope there will be other stories set in this world.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks, Netgalley, and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
A nice read with some solid world-building and imaginative descriptions. I loved all fantastic beasts and creatures that were introduced! However, there are too many characters and the narrative loses focus on the essential ones. There are some interesting themes that the story focuses on - family and belonging to a community. I really needed more action. and fewer characters. Or at least some balance between characters from both types - humans and fae. All in all a nice read.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written historical fantasy - we're never given a specific date but I'd guess either 18th or early 19th century; the author herself says she was aiming for a more 'once upon a time' quality and she's definitely succeeded! - about the importance of kindness and tolerance, especially towards those who are or would be seen by others as different, and standing up for those who can't stand up for themselves, all wrapped up in a delightful story of people and the Fae that is Austen-esque in it's domestic focus and psychological observations.
Highly recommend!

[Farah Mendlesohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this so much; it has all the ingredients. But there is a beautifully wrought novella in here, drowned by padding. Far, far too often the narrative paused to tell me about something; we were never allowed to just see a character be revealed, and we always had to be told what to think about them. When it was good, it was weird, evocative and reminded me strongly of Greer Gilman's writing, but it was as if the author didn't trust the reader to cope with being lost in the world she created.

[Deborah Cleaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. A well written book about coexisting with faeries in a small impoverished community with predatory landlords. There are many characters, both human and fae. If you enjoy faery stories, this is excellent. If, like me, your eyes roll at talking briars and dogs with fiery eyes and feet, walk on by. Moreover, you may want to keep a list of characters to recall them all.

[Sarah Mckenzie-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical, readable, relatable. Kit has a sweet way with words which is clever without being annoying , entertaining without being superficial. I love the idea this book is based on and it clearly comes from a place where she understands both the parent and child affected by autism. To weave it into a fantasy narrative like this is genius. Can't wait for more.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty solid read, and I liked the worldbuilding, and the way everything was described. Everything felt very real.

However, it was not entirely what I expected from it. The writing style and the slow pace were not for me. I will probably pick up the sequel, but set my expectations accordingly.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult to explain. I liked the characterisation of the People, I liked John, and the Smith and Thorpe families as a whole. But I struggled to pick this up often, it felt harder to sink in and lose myself in the story. Maybe it was the longer chapters or something of the writing I'm not connecting with? I feel I'm not knowledgeable enough to know.
Like my last 3*, I'd still recommend it, I know so many people who love this book and imagine that many others will too.

[Aria Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was well written with a gripping storyline and well developed characters. I also liked the level of world building. A great read.

[PETER SAUNDERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Strange and fascinating.