Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane” is a novel by Katherine Howe, first published in 2009. The book follows the story of Connie Goodwin, a graduate student at Harvard University, as she uncovers the secrets of her family’s past and becomes embroiled in a mystery involving witchcraft.

The novel is set in both the present day and the 17th century, and Howe weaves together the two timelines to create a rich and immersive story. In the present day, Connie is researching her dissertation on colonial American history when she discovers a family heirloom, an old book that belonged to her ancestor, Deliverance Dane. As she delves deeper into the book’s history, Connie discovers that it contains information on a powerful form of magic that has been passed down through her family for generations.

Meanwhile, the 17th-century storyline focuses on Deliverance Dane herself, a woman accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials. As Connie investigates her family’s past, she uncovers a conspiracy involving Deliverance and a group of powerful women who were persecuted for their knowledge of magic.

“The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane” is a beautifully written and atmospheric novel that seamlessly blends history and fiction. Howe’s attention to detail and her vivid descriptions of both the present day and the 17th century make the story come alive, while her characters are engaging and well-rounded.

The novel explores themes of family, identity, and the power of knowledge, as well as the enduring legacy of the witch trials in American history. Overall, “The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane” is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that is sure to delight fans of historical fiction and the supernatural.