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Though the local vicar dismisses claims by the current occupants that the place is haunted, their story is soon splashed over a Sunday newspaper - and the diocesan Deliverance Minister, the Revd Merrily Watkins, is directed by the Bishop of Hereford to defuse the situation. Merrily, however, is already contending with a similar problem involving a woman's claim that her adopted teenage daughter is possessed by evil. In both cases Merrily remains unconvinced but, in this summer of oppressive heat and sudden storms, nothing is ever going to be quite what it seems. As she is drawn into a tangle of trickery, deceit, corruption and sexual menace, her hastily conducted exorcism produces unhappy results. With Merrily's increasing paranoia putting both her faith and her future on the line, and the whole concept of Deliverance now facing public trial, she and her good friend Lol Robinson can only try to uncover the secrets of Knight's Frome - a village concealing a past as twisted as the bines on the hop-plants once surrounding it. The two of them discover how local history became
entwined with the legacy and superstitions of the Romany gypsies who
once harvested these crops. It seems the Rom have long memories -
allegedly on both sides of the grave - and for them the darkest hour could
be noon, the time of no shadows. |
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This is a slow read, as the book's a little too big and heavy for bed and bath time reading. Maybe a letter to the publisher should be written so this is taken into consideration in the future. Anyway, the book (as I've come to expect from Rickman) is terrific. It seems that for the first time he's going firmly down the exorcist route this time, which perhaps is timely as he's avoided it so far. Adopted into a strict religious family, Amy Shelborne has begun to show (according to her mother, Hazel) signs of possession. Merrily as yet is unconvinced that Amy isn't just a teenager rebelling, but must investigate further. Meanwhile, Lol Robinson has begun work on a new album in the rural seclusion of the Frome Valley. Out on a walk for inspiration he sees what he thinks is the naked ghost of the legendary Lady of the Bines. Her sighting is supposed to foretell the coming of a failed hop harvest, or plague. Jane is going on holiday with her boyfriend, Eirion, and his family. He has built it up in his mind as the perfect time for them to consummate their relationship, but Jane would prefer there to be less fuss about the loss of her virginity, wanting instead to get it over with. Feeling more than a little depressed she is dragged into a Ouija board session with a group of girls, including Amy. The board spells out the name Justine, which seems to freak Amy out. Without telling Merrily, she packs and leaves to go on holiday with Eirion. I'm really
enjoying this book, though I've not really taken in all the threads of
the story yet. I know that it's going to shock and entertain me though,
and for now I'm finding it hard to put down. |
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Words can't express how much I adore this author's work. I quite literally couldn't put it down, and with my computer away for servicing I didn't have to. The Cure of the Souls was a fabulous story, from beginning to end and this time explored the history and mythology of the Romany people and a cursed hop kiln. Despite trying to help Amy Shelborne, Merrily is unable to convince the girl to talk to her. Not entirely convinced that her parent's diagnosis of possession is correct, Merrily tries to look deeper into the case but is thwarted when accusations of occultism are leveled at Jane, tainting her reputation by association. When Amy attempts suicide shortly after Merrily's visit the church is put in an awkward position. Meanwhile Merrily is called to Knights Frome, to the hop kiln of Gerard and Stephie Stock, who seem to be having spiritual problems with the unstill spirit of Stephie's uncle who was murdered in the kiln. Meeting up with Lol, Merrily attempts to bless and settle the unquiet spirit, but all doesn't quite go to plan. It's impossible to summarize such a complex and beautifully crafted novel as this. The interwoven narrative threads wind apparently independently until suddenly the whole story comes together and you wonder how Phil Rickman managed it. When he writes I find myself drawn fully into his world in a way I've not experienced since I was a small child. Nothing is ever what it initially seems, and I love that I never know what's coming next. From the start Amy was portrayed as the victim, and Layla Riddock the predatory and seductive Lolita of the diocese; even a malignant force of evil. Phil's handling of the characters in this book was masterful, and I didn't for one moment suspect the tack he would finally tack. At the same time Merrily's future in the priesthood hung in the balance after the horrific events following her blessing. Once more I was enthralled to see how the tale unfolded, and found myself very much taken with the old legend of the Lady of the Vines and the murder mystery behind it. After finishing reading this book I couldn't help myself emailing Phil Rickman in order to try and express how much I appreciated his work. I don't think there are words to fully convey how much I enjoy immersing myself in his world. I couldn't believe he replied, and was thrilled to hear that the next Merrily Watkins novel is already completed and another will follow. I can't wait until November to get The Lamp of the Wicked, and will be putting in my pre-order with Amazon in the very near future. To keep me going until then I was delighted to read in the notes at the back of Cure that the journey of one of the other characters in the book, Simon St. John, is chronicled in another book. I'll be picking December up ASAP. You have to love the way these books compliment each other! I can't praise this enough. I've been harassing people left and right to read The Wine of Angels and begin this incredible trip.
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