It’s 1769 and Nancy Lockaby is on her way to Inverness where she has been invited to stay with the renowned Shakespearean scholar, Caleb Malles, to help him with his research. Nancy is a keen astronomer who has been developing a theory of her late mother’s involving an astronomical phenomenon known as ‘the Fold’ – a theory that has provoked the scorn and derision of her male colleagues at the Greenwich Observatory. Nancy isn’t sure what her role will be in Caleb’s work as she has little interest in literature, but she welcomes the opportunity to get away from the hostile atmosphere of the Observatory for a while and start a new life in Scotland.
Arriving at the large, crumbling Blackthistle House with her maid, Cora, on a cold, snowy night, Nancy is immediately unsettled by the atmosphere. Why are there lights flashing in the window of a turret? Who are the three strange women she sees in the darkness as her carriage approaches the house? Once she settles in, however, she becomes fascinated by Caleb Malles and his passion for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. She also gets to know the three women she glimpsed in the dark and finds them less threatening as she learns more of their backgrounds. But is it true that they have lived for many centuries and possess special powers? And what is Caleb’s real reason for bringing Nancy to Blackthistle House?
The Wayward Sisters is Kate Hodges’ first novel, having previously written several non-fiction books. You never really know what to expect when trying a new author and I had mixed feelings about this book, but generally more positive than negative. The first half is slow, but has a wonderfully eerie, Gothic atmosphere as Hodges sets the scene and introduces the characters. There’s a particularly memorable scene where Nancy encounters some sinister crows during a snowstorm! I had expected elements of Macbeth to be more deeply woven into the plot, but they really aren’t, apart from the presence of the three women, who clearly represent Shakespeare’s three witches, the Weird (or Wayward) Sisters. The witches have more nuance here than in the play, with each being given a detailed backstory of her own.
Kate Hodges writes very well and there are some nice descriptions to bring the Scottish setting to life, although I was surprised that the recent Jacobite Rebellions were barely mentioned as they must surely have still been having an impact on the lives of the Highlanders in the 1760s. Nancy is an interesting heroine; astronomy is an area of science where women could and did make an impact in the 18th century (the most famous female astronomer of that period was probably Caroline Herschel, the first woman to discover a comet) although it was obviously still a male-dominated field and difficult for women to be taken seriously. However, Nancy’s theories regarding the Fold begin to take the story into the realms of science fiction, particularly when the witches get involved and we discover Caleb’s motives for enlisting the services of an astronomer.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had continued as the atmospheric historical fiction novel it seemed to be at first, rather than the more fantastical story it became. There’s a lot to like about The Wayward Sisters, but it wasn’t really the right book for me.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for providing a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.
This is book 45/50 for the 2023 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.
She Reads Novels 
This certainly sounds intriguing and I would definitely enjoy the historical novel aspect. I sometimes don’t enjoy books that include fantastic elements in an otherwise realistic setting so probably won’t add this to my TBR. Thanks for the review.
Yes, the mixture of fantasy and realism doesn’t always work well for me either, and didn’t in this book.
Janette has written the comment I was going to make! So I won’t say it again.
As I said to Janette, mixing fantasy elements with a realistic setting doesn’t always work for me and this was an example of where it didn’t.
It’s the fantasy element that puts me off too, although I am going to try and widen my horizons!
It never quite becomes full-blown fantasy, but goes too far in that direction for me!
Hmm, I know that Caroline Herschel worked with her brother, though. Do you think it likely that a woman would actually work at the Royal Observatory? It’s too bad it goes off toward science fiction, because the rest of it sounds delightfully spooky.
I looked it up before writing my review and there were a few women at the Royal Observatory, although as you say they were usually wives or sisters of male astronomers. This book started so well, but I lost interest halfway through.
Yeah, sliding into fantasy or science fiction seems to be a trend nowadays. Not my interest.
I enjoy a touch of fantasy if it ties in with legends and folklore rather than entirely imaginary kingdoms, magical realism I suppose. And the gothic aspect of this book certainly appeals. One that I might choose in the depths of winter.
It would be a good winter read with its snowy setting and gothic atmosphere. You might enjoy it more than I did!
Ooh, this sounds good – I love SFF so the speculative element appeals to me!
This sounds like the perfect book for you, then! I hope you have a chance to read it.
Books with a Scottish setting and Gothic atmosphere are always a draw for me, but I think I’d want this one to be more historical fiction than science fiction/fantasy, too.
Yes, I liked the setting and atmosphere, but the plot went too far in the science fiction direction for me. I would probably try another book by this author.
Thanks for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. I hope you will be joining us again in 2024.
I’m definitely planning to join in again next year, Marg! I’ll have a post about the challenge up after Christmas.