Karen Maitland - The Plague Charmer

In 1361, just thirteen years after the Black Death decimated the population, another pandemic swept the British Isles. This time the disease seemed to kill men, leaving women and children the main survivors. Coming so soon after the previous plague, the shock to the population must have been enormous.

Karen Maitland's The Plague Charmer is set in a small fishing village in western Somerset, and she skilfully draws a picture of a community in shock and the second appearance of the plague. Characteristically she creates a foreboding atmosphere - the characters in her novels retain a belief in magic, spirits and demons, as well as a adherance to Christian belief. The rescue of a woman from the sea in a great storm however shakes the community's faith in their Christian god, not least after the local priest runs away at the first sign of plague. Nearby, the great and the good are gathering at the manor house, where they seal themselves in at the first sign of disease.

Maitland carefully brings the two stories set in these locations together, characters having links that are gradually revealed through the book. Again, characteristically, many of Maitland's characters are unpleasant - liars and thieves, though they all show their own particular morality. The best part of the story is that which shows the breakdown in community solidarity with the arrival of the plague, and Maitland combines this with the story of what happens to the children of the other hero Sara, who are outside the home when their families are locked in by villagers trying to stop the spread of the disease. One character that links the two locations is Will, a dwarf who has performed for his master at the Manor, but is now banished for some, as yet, unknown crime. Will is a thief and is frequently blamed by the more pious villagers for various happenings. Yet it is his character whose personal redemption carries the village to its own redemption, as he alongside Sara, fights to stop the witch who has cursed them.

Maitland's stories are often very dark and draw on myths and legends that mean there is an interesting, though sometimes discombulating involvement of fantasy. I like to think this realistically shows the medieval mindset, in a world where nature seemed to behave irrationally and unpredictably. Fans of Maitland's work will enjoy this novel and its recommend as a decent introduction to her style.

Related Reviews

Maitland - Company of Liars
Maitland - The Owl Killers