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The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
by Katherine Howe

Published: 2009-06-09
Hardcover : 384 pages
11 members reading this now
45 clubs reading this now
16 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 13 of 14 members
"A fresh present-day story infused with an original take on popular history. Forget broomsticks and pointy hats; here are witches that could well be walking among us today. This debut novel flows with poetic charm and eloquence that achieves high literary merit while concocting a gripping ...
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Introduction

"A fresh present-day story infused with an original take on popular history. Forget broomsticks and pointy hats; here are witches that could well be walking among us today. This debut novel flows with poetic charm and eloquence that achieves high literary merit while concocting a gripping supernatural puzzler. Katherine Howe's talent is spellbinding."
--Matthew Pearl, author of The Poe Shadow and The Dante Club

A spellbinding, beautifully written novel that moves between contemporary times and one of the most fascinating and disturbing periods in American history-the Salem witch trials.

Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin needs to spend her summer doing research for her doctoral dissertation. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie's grandmother's abandoned home near Salem, she can't refuse. As she is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the family house, Connie discovers an ancient key within a seventeenth-century Bible. The key contains a yellowing fragment of parchment with a name written upon it: Deliverance Dane. This discovery launches Connie on a quest--to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact of singular power: a physick book, its pages a secret repository for lost knowledge.

As the pieces of Deliverance's harrowing story begin to fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of the long-ago witch trials, and she begins to fear that she is more tied to Salem's dark past then she could have ever imagined.

Written with astonishing conviction and grace, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane travels seamlessly between the witch trials of the 1690s and a modern woman's story of mystery, intrigue, and revelation.

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

We used the publisher's questions which were very good and some we even touched upon naturally in our discussion.
by jendorf10 (see profile) 01/15/10

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

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by Kim F. (see profile) 02/11/18

 
by Tara O. (see profile) 02/26/17

 
by Cheryl B. (see profile) 10/18/14

 
by nan g. (see profile) 10/16/14

 
  "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane"by Melissa M. (see profile) 02/12/12

My book club read this a few years ago so I can't remember a ton of detail but I can tell you we all loved it. A little suspense, historical info, romance, and wonderful quirky town. What's not to love...... (read more)

 
  "Good read"by Bobbi H. (see profile) 01/12/11

 
  "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dance"by Chris A. (see profile) 11/13/10

Thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched and interestingly constructed book that tied a modern day heroine with connections in the past. How she discovers and tracks down information about a litle known... (read more)

 
  "The Psysic Book of Deliverance Dane"by suzanne m. (see profile) 10/31/10

Great book for discussion about Woman's place in the world. How it has changed and stayed the same.

 
  "A prefect book for a Halloween book club event."by Dalene P. (see profile) 10/11/10

I found the book had many elements - romance, informative, a fine mystery with a touch of magic. Well written with a good base in history. Easy to read and each chapter leading to a common story thread.... (read more)

 
  "book review"by Christy A. (see profile) 04/27/10

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