'You can choose tales that keep your nose in the dirt - or look around for talk that lifts you. Then it's up to you...'
In 598 CE/AD, Anglo-Saxon invaders have colonised the edge of the fens in uneasy peace with their neighbours, the Britons. The settlers enslaved some of these Celtic people.
When Ursel jumps down from an oak to save a mother deer from the hunt, her uncle beats her but cannot silence her.
Hilda the storyteller strides into their settlement, her pack full of myths of the peaceful queens and shamans of Peony Valley. She fills her listeners with dreams of honey and blood - and longing for justice.
Slave-girl Meg yearns to be a storyteller like Hilda - but dare she? What do headmen do to women who stand tall?
Her mother, Seren the Healer, longs to use her spells - but has to sweep and gut fish for her owner.
Oswynne, headman's wife, is torn between loyalty to him and the nourishing company of women. Is Seren's magic mist dangerous?
When they grow from fear to friendship they have a chance to stop Thane Roger grabbing 'whatever, and whoever, he wants.' Will he take over their inclusive moot, or can the women work together?
Historical fantasy - with a difference! Earth lovers, climate activists, environment protectors - use this novel and its Questions for Book Clubs or for Groups to vision a sustainable future together. The characters in Wellstowe and Peony Valley live in harmony with nature - until the rule of the fist crashes into their peaceful lives with arrows and groping hands. They resist; as they protect each other and reclaim their inclusive democracy, we see how we can re-create our lives and society.
Where can we start? The self-help elements of The Swan-Bone Flute include information about listening partnerships; the characters discover how healing this simple technique can be. They base their cooperation on friendships strengthened this way.
Hilda's stories bring shamanic wisdom which sustains and guides her listeners through challenges. They learn to direct their anger and use its power to confront wrongs.
If you like Juliet Marillier, Mary Renault, Philip Pullman, enjoy this book as a gripping read.
Rachel O'Leary: I tell stories for groups in museums and schools, at festivals and celebrations. I've told in a freezing fen, a smoky roundhouse, village halls and pubs. At a local eisteddfodd I was awarded the title: Chief Skald of Suffolk, Storytelling. As a Breastfeeding Counsellor, I work with two charities supporting families to breastfeed their babies if they want to. I witness the transformative power of compassion when we tell our own experiences in supportive groups and one to one; and listen deeply. I am involved with wildlife and ecology groups, hands-on planting trees, plus national activism for our climate and nature. Sometimes it's hard for us to work together; class and culture can divide us. What helps? Telling our stories...! I envision a future where people value mothering as the guiding principle of all social life. Humans can share resources equitably; ensure every child is fed and cared for; live in peace with each other and with nature. This model is based on the lived experience of indigenous peoples who have generously shared their wisdom in books and film. Archaeology and anthropology confirm that this is our human heritage. I have found evidence for matriarchy also in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon history. The Swan-Bone Flute presents these findings in story form. I studied History and Social and Political Studies at Cambridge University, UK. We students aimed to change the world. Sorry we've been a bit slow. Let's do it now! https: //racheloleary.co.uk
Katherine Soutar: I have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil, decorating the interior of my father's books until my exasperated parents managed to impress upon me that only 'blank' paper was for drawing on....I specialise in themes and imagery from folklore and storytelling, making these narratives visible is my passion. Working with specialist publishers, The History press, creating the cover art for their Folk tales and Ghost tales books has been an enormous pleasure for me and is a continuing project. I have a touring exhibition and now also a book of some of the best covers from the series. I also work with individual storytellers and authors to bring their words to life as illustrations. I work primarily in watercolour and ink on watercolour paper and mixed media on canvas and board. I am also available for private client commissions and workshops/talks. Contact me at: katherinesoutarillustration.com ksoutarillustrator@gmail.com 07805826484
