The GoodBook Club discussion

Hi all, hope everyone is enjoying reading Ami McKay's The Witches of New York. What is everyone's first impression of the novel so far? What are your thoughts on Beatrice? How do feel about Moth's character in The Witches of New York compared to The Virgin Cure?

I haven't read the Virgin Cure. so far I'm enjoying the level of historical details in the novel and the amount of research that the author has spent to make sure that it is as realistic as possible

I'm enjoying this book very much. I've always been into the salem witch trials and such! I've come across a name that is familiar, Rev. Cotton Mather. Which intrigued me. I'm curious as to if we should have read The Virgin Cure first though?

After this book though, I do want to pick up The Virgin Cure at some point. I enjoy Ami's writing and it's a very fast read. I though going into it, it might take me a while to read but I'm surprised how fast i'm getting through it.

I haven't read The Virgin Cure but I'm liking this one a lot. I didn't realize there were supernatural elements to it and was expecting straight historical fiction so I was surprised. I've gotten into the story though, about 25% through.

I also haven't read The Virgin Cure but I am next on the list at the library so I look forward to reading it afterwards and filling in some of the back story.
Enjoying this book so far though, just a few chapters in and I like the speed of the writing and scene changing.

It has been a long while since I read The Virgin Cure so I feel like I need a reread to refresh myself on the character of Moth. I am about half way through The Witches of NY and enjoying it. I met Ami McKay on Monday night and loved hearing her speak of her writing and research process. She does a lot of research into all of her books before she starts writing, uses an outline which she ends up throwing away and uses real people as an inspiration for her books. She discovered that she had a 9x great aunt who had been tried and hung for witchcraft which helped her to add more magical detail to this novel. Her great great grandmother was the equivalent of a street doctor today and inspired The Virgin Cure.

I am more than half way through and quite enjoying the story. I have not read The Virgin Cure so have no comparison. The author is clearly well researched and I am liking the little snippets of info throughout whether it be from the news articles, flyers or from the grimoire. My favorite character thus far is Beatrice, her naivness and bravery in facing her new unknown "talents". The tale is chalked full of tragedy with respect to the mistreatment of women and the challenges they faced during this era.

@Wanda - the author is a very strong advocate for women's rights and has done a LOT of research into the struggles of women to have ownership over their own bodies and reproduction during this time. I like Beatrice and am finding myself quite intrigued by the crow as well.

I have enjoyed the book and don't think that you need to have read The Virgin Cure to get into the text. The novel gives you a very clear idea of life in New York at the time in the society that is exploring new/old ideas of spiritualism. Beatrice is a very interesting complex character. Lots to say about the view of women at the time and their ways of dealing with it.

Unfortunately, I had to give up on this novel. I got about halfway before I abandoned it. I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction to begin with and I just didn't connect to any of the characters.

I think I have a problem with "witch" novels. I couldn't get through A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness either.

In response to Wanda, re: the snippets. I like them, too, like some of the writing techniques that were used in The Birth House, but not sure if all of them were needed, such as the full Lord's Prayer. This might have seemed necessary for a wider audience, but there seemed to be a bit of repetition with poems and songs at times. And to Susan, the crow/raven is such a fantastic character, crossing cultures, that it resonates with with us all. Very clever.

I am about a quarter of the way through the book and am enjoying it. I did read The Virgin Cure a few years ago and I am looking forward to find out more about Moth's character, although I am most interested in Beatrice's character. I like the magical elements in this story and the historical details that Ami McKay has incorporated.

Chandni -I couldn't finish A Discovery of Witches either! It was so terrible (imo).

I'm about 60% through the book and liking it a lot. I find that Moth is different from how she was in the Virgin Cures but then she's matured and grown up, with more confidence and probably a bit more skepticism too. Beatrice is great, still finding her way and has a core of determination. I think Eleanor seems like she's always a bit sad and lonely.

Heather wrote: "Chandni -I couldn't finish A Discovery of Witches either! It was so terrible (imo)."

Yeah, the whole love story really threw me off. From what I read, The Witches of New York is about the friendship between three women which I really liked. However the plot was just too slow for me and while the writing was beautiful, I wasn't connecting to the novel at all and I wasn't eager to continue.

I don't think I'll be reading any witch novels for a long time.

I just finished this book and I loved it! Ever since I visited Salem, Massachusetts I have been really interested in the witch trials history. I loved how it was historical fiction because it made it easier to connect with what was going on.
I found Beatrice to be quite clever for a young 17 year old who just found out she was a witch. Her immense skill and power is proven towards the end of book.
I have not read the Virgin Cure either, but after reading the Witches of New York I would love to learn about Adelaide's (Moth) backstory in Stony Point

Penguin Random House Canada wrote: "Hi all, hope everyone is enjoying reading Ami McKay's The Witches of New York. What is everyone's first impression of the novel so far? What are your thoughts on Beatrice? How do feel about Moth's ..."

I just got the book on Wednesday, so only started yesterday. Love the book so far. I like Beatrice so far, and haven't yet met Moth. Looking forward to reading further.

Just started reading this book and am only 50 pages in but am enjoying it so far. Have read Ami McKay's other books, but can't remember much of The Virgin Cure. Guess I'll have to read it again to refresh my memory!

Ami Mckay has an engaging writing style that captivated my interest from the start but I found her characters somewhat 2 dimensional.
I failed to connect with the 3 main characters /witches in the story....but was intrigued by the Raven's role throughout the narrative.

I look forward to reading The Birth House.

I finished the book today and can say that I enjoyed it immensely. The author took a fantastic subject and brought to light the challenges women faced in the past.

@Wanda - i agree. I just finished it today and enjoyed the three strong, independent women in a time where women were treated as property and had little control over themselves and their bodies. Having met Ami McKay, I love that she has been inspired by strong women in her own family including a great, great grandmother who had worked as a street doctor and her great aunt x9 that had been tried and hung as a witch.

I too found Perdu interesting and somehow thought that he might be revealed to be a spirit in the form of a crow at the end.

I'm a little over half way done and I find it interesting that Moth/Adelaide is my least favourite character of all of them (aside from Rev Townsend of course!). I wonder if my impression of her would be different if I had read the Virgin Cure, or if it will change when I read it after this book.

@Heather, I actually wished that I had reread the Virgin Cure to remember more about her (but hard to reread books when I have so many in my TBR pile! I agree - the Rev Townsend really was despicable!

@Susan, I agree- I wish that Perdu's true being was revealed at the end- a most interesting character, like a fly on the wall Perdu seemed to know what was happening at all times.

I finished this book today and OMG i just flew through those last 100 pages! It was sooo good! Yet another great pick well done Penguin Random House!

@Wanda - I wish that I had finished the book BEFORE meeting McKay as that would have been my question for her rather than asking about her writing process!

@Ashley - agreed, I am really enjoying this Penguin Random House group!!

I just got my copy from the library, yeah!!! I'll start reading it tomorrow so I'm done before the discussion wraps up. I'm always struggling to get these books read on time.

Had a death in the family (mother), haven't been able to concentrate so i haven't begun reading yet. Haven't read the Virgin Cure either, perhaps should i read that book first?

Icewineanne wrote: "Had a death in the family (mother), haven't been able to concentrate so i haven't begun reading yet. Haven't read the Virgin Cure either, perhaps should i read that book first?"

I'm really sorry for your loss Icewineanne. I hope you're doing okay.

I'm about 1/2 way through (this is a really fast read), and just love the book so far. My favourite character has to be Perdu. I don't find that I'm missing anything by not reading The Virgin Cure. Sometimes reading the second book without reading the first one leaves me feeling like I'm missing half of the story, but haven't felt that so far with this book.

Chandni wrote: "Icewineanne wrote: "Had a death in the family (mother), haven't been able to concentrate so i haven't begun reading yet. Haven't read the Virgin Cure either, perhaps should i read that book first?"..."

Thanks Chandni. It's been difficult, but starting to read again so that's a good sign.

@Icewineanne - my condolences.

@Linda - I really liked Perdu too but really missed knowing who he might represent.

@Susan, agreed. There is this hint he is representative of someone, but I'm okay with not knowing who.

Only a few pages in so far but I am already really enjoying the way the book has been written. The author is doing a great job of making the reader feel as if they are in the 1800s.
I may just have to read the other two novels mentioned on the cover now...

I'm definitely going back and reading The Virgin Cure. I am intrigued by the idea of Moth's story and her change in this novel. Did anyone feel there could be a sequel to The Witches...?

I heard Ami McKay speak when the book was released and it seems to me she made a remark about the witches still drifting around in her head so it's possible she may write another story with them or some of them in it. I, too, would love to know Perdu's story!

I agree a backstory of Perdu would be nice to know

I finished the book last night and would say there is still lots of story left to tell! I hope there is a sequel.
I also wish there was a bit more about Perdu. I feel like I should re-read the end just to see if I missed any hints!

Finished the book yesterday, and I really enjoyed it! It was really interesting to read a book where the primary relationships were strong friendships between women -- don't know that I've read too many where friendship plays a stronger role than romance.

I hadn't realized until partway through that Moth was also from The Virgin Cure... looks like I'm going to be rereading that one soon!

Icewineanne wrote: "Chandni wrote: "Icewineanne wrote: "Had a death in the family (mother), haven't been able to concentrate so i haven't begun reading yet. Haven't read the Virgin Cure either, perhaps should i read t..."

Sorry to hear of your recent loss. It's not easy losing your mom. Glad that you are able to concentrate again and hope you are able to find comfort in reading.

Just finished reading The Witches of New York, and considering that this is the first in-depth book I have read on this topic, I really found it interesting and enjoyable. I particularly liked the small touches that the author used to make her book extra-special, including newspaper clippings, copies of business cards, the moon cycle or phase with the start of each chapter, etc. I even looked up the New York Obelisk that was mentioned several times in the book, and it really does/did exist, and it was actually erected on the date stated in the book. This author obviously spends a lot of time doing research on her books. I hope the author plans a part two to this book!

Finished!

I would love to visit 'Tea and Sympathy'. Which to choose? Orange Pekoe, Darjeeling or Hibiscus?

I was uncomfortable - as I am sure was the author's intent - with the scenes involving the Reverend. Saddened by the descriptions of the asylum and naturally by the various reasons women were committed during that time period.

Ami McKay writes the best kind of historical fiction, where the reader learns much about the time period without taking away from the narrative. I am fortunate enough to have seen the obelisk, never once giving thought to the sheer amount of effort involved in moving in not only in NYC but of course across the ocean.

Perdu to me was (view spoiler)[ Princess Odoline's suitor, sage in disguise, and eventual familiar. The raven appears, conjured by Malphas, with a gold ring around his leg. Perdu crowed "All my trust" at the time of Eleanor's mother's passing. This was the inscription on the gold ring Princess Odoline presented her suitor. My interpretation... (hide spoiler)]

I enjoyed this post on Ami McKay's blog about Matilda Joslyn Gage: http://amimckay.com/journal/page/3/

Further down that post is a gorgeous painting of Perdu, holding Billy's blue marble.

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for making this selection.

I enjoyed the accurate historical detail also. It's always great when an author of historical fiction knows the time period well enough to transport you there without any anachronisms to pull you out of the story.

McKay said that she purposely picked a setting in New York so she could go and do research there!

Chandni wrote: "Icewineanne wrote: "Had a death in the family (mother), haven't been able to concentrate so i haven't begun reading yet. Haven't read the Virgin Cure either, perhaps should i read that book first?"..."

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I don't think you need to read The Virgin Cure first in order to enjoy this novel.

I finally got my copy of The Witches of New York!I loved both The Birth House and The Virgin Cure so I was excited to start this one. I am about a quarter of the way through so far and I am really enjoying it. I really like the character of Beatrice. I also find Eleanor quite fascinating. And Perdu!

I finished the book yesterday. I thought Ami McKay did a great job with the historical details of the time and place and I loved the extras added throughout (news clippings, etc). I agree with HeatherLynn that it is sad to read about the women in the asylum and the reasons that the patients were there. I feel like there could be another book in the future about these characters.

What I found most frustrating were the women who didn't believe in women's rights and independence. This was the "good Christian" woman from the Reverend's church who harassed the tea shop and also the society women who looked down on the suffragettes. Instead of supporting each other and standing up for equality they saw strong, independent women and wanted to tear them down. I'd like to think that we have come a long way since then but I really don't think that we have. I won't get into current politics but I think it's pretty clear that we have a lot of work to do!

When is the next book going to be announced?

Penguin Random House Canada wrote: "Hi all, hope everyone is enjoying reading Ami McKay's The Witches of New York. What is everyone's first impression of the novel so far? What are your thoughts on Beatrice? How do feel about Moth's ..."

I finally got my copy from the library so I'm a bit late and playing catch up. I don't recall much about Moth from the Virgin Cure which I read 5 years ago, but as I recall I did not like the book half as much as The Birth House, but so far (page 77) I am enjoying this one.