Customer Reviews

The Owl Killers

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My Boyfriend bought me this after I had read Company of Liars and loved it - and this was just as good.
It's so difficult to find a book/novel that uses a multiple narrative voice so flawlessly and that deals with so many different issues, social magical and otherwise in such a way that it doesn't feel forced, but like you really are in the middle of an isolated village in the 1300's.
The women in the beguinage is an interesting aspect of history too, but it doesn't read like a textbook like many historical fiction novels do. It's also interesting to read a fiction novel about a time early on when "Paganism" really was at odds with Christianity in Britain, as Christianity tried to loosen the hold the "old beliefs" had on those who lived before Christianity arrived, or those further out from the towns who needed to rely on local wise women rather than having access to more "modern" services...
There are so many different lives woven into this story and yet every one is played out smoothly and interwoven in a very unobtrusive and enjoyable way. The other upside to the swapping between narratives is that the chapters are relatively short, meaning you can dip into it a few times a day if you're busy and still feel like you're getting somewhere!
Would definitely recommend this book, especially if you're a fan of historical fiction, or the supernatural!

Having loved 'Company of Liars', I was determined to read this book, and, after ordering, can cofess was very excited about it arriving. I had to wait until evening, after work, to read it and so the apprehension just gathered ever greater. Initially, I was immediately intrigued by the events of the prologue, and then the first section. Then, I was a little wary of the fact that this was going to be told by lots of different characters in first person narrative rather than just the one. I thought this might make the story seem fractured and I'd lose interest as it switched between viewpoints.
This prooved to be a false belief.
As I continued to read, I became use to 'seeing' through each character's eyes, finding one no less interesting than another. Indeed, I began to enjoy the tale as much as I had enjoyed 'Company of Liars'.
Pagan and christian ways intermingle beautifully in some ways and clash spectacularly in others, all the way through. There's mystery, tragedy, suspense and a rather satisfying, though ambiguous, ending. And, of course, the notes at the end of the book aren't just worth reading, showing how much care is taken by the author in her research, but they are a joy to read. Truly, Karen Maitland knows how to write what she's interested in. And such enthusiasm shows through her pages, making her work a real joy to read.

This is Karen Maitland's second novel which is set in a village near Norfolk called Ulewic, this village is being terrorised by a sinister group called the Owl Killers.

The Owl Killers reign by using pagan superstition and blackmail against the villagers who then denounce each other. Added to this is the arrival of a group of religious women who set up a religious house or (Beguinage) outside the community. This disturbs the status quo and when crops begin to fail and the religious community give refuge to a young martyr who dies a gruesome death, it's not hard to see where suspicion will fall.

What ensues is witchcraft and heresy, but always in the background is the presence of the malevolent, shadowy, predatory Owl Killers.

I loved the novel, the author puts across the sense of what it must have been like to live in such a community where the medieval mind was ruled by religion and superstition. All this makes for a very atmospheric novel.

The novel is narrated through five different voices who are all interesting and bring something to the story and plot. Maitland certainly knows how to write a novel and this one is just as good as the first. For the keen eyed there is even a cameo from a character of the first novel.

I read Karen Maitland's previous book, A Company of Liars, and I thought it was OK, so I decided to try her next offering, The Owl Killers, which again, was OK. It's not a great book by any stretch of the imagination, but it also wasn't the worst, hence 3 stars.
On the plus side, the style of writing makes this an easy book to pick up and put down as each passage is fairly short, and the author does an excellent job of describing the world of a medieval village in the middle of nowhere, East Anglia.
On the negative side, if, like me, you don't like some of the characters doing the narrating, this book is TOO easy to keep putting down. Every time certain characters took centre stage I just wanted to reach into the pages and slap them! I also didn't find this to be a thriller at all. The surprise twists weren't surprising in the least (who couldn't see the identity of the rapist from a mile off?!) and the big reveal at the end was such an anti-climax that I wondered if the reader was supposed to be the climax of the book. As to the idea that this was in the gothic horror genre, I missed that entirely!
All in all, the book is fine if you want something average that moves along but isn't going to stay with you past the last page. If you are looking for medieval thriller, I suggest the Matthew Shardlake books by CJ Sansom. They are a bit later (16th century) and more who-done-it, but they are much more fun!

I found this one of the most CAPTIVATING books I have ever read. It is amazing how Maitland manages to weave such a powerful tale through the eyes of the five main characters; one child, a priest, two beguines and the leader of a beguinage. The characters in the story range from infant to adult, saint to sinner and they come alive through Maitland's writing. I was mesmerised by this book, and it was so colourful in its script that one could imagine the smells, dirt, poverty, depravity and cruelty of life in the Middle Ages.

With many readers wanting something a little different to whet their appetites and to flavour their dreams its always something special when something new arrives. What occurs within this offering, is a story set within the 14th Century with a touch of the supernatural making this a pretty unique beast. Add to the mix characters that just jump off the page backed up with an almost unique voice behind each one for when they're telling their part makes this more of a community book rather than an individual. I'll definitely be reading Maitland again.

Having read Maitland's previous novel, Company of Liars, I was extremely excited to get started on this one, and it didn't disappoint. The range of first person narrators allows the author to present the story from a range of perspectives, all flawed in some way and with their own take on what is going on. The sense of superstitious medieval society is strong and well created and if at times the story sometimes seems to slip away from Maitland she builds a fantastic sense of atmosphere. It's hard to truly criticise this novel as I have devoured it in days and found it hard to put down!

Finished this last night and it was one of those books where you don't want to stop reading because you want to find out what happens but at the same time you know if you don't stop reading, it will end. I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone. We had a book group discussion for this book so the majority of my comments are in there. There have been some comments that this book is not as good as Company of Liars Company of Liars but I don't agree. I think it's every bit as good but the subject matter is different so that could be the reason. Any book that keeps me up reading till the wee small hours has to be good.

I was impressed by my BIL yesterday though when I told him what I was reading and mentioned that it was set in 1321 and he could tell me immediately who was King of England at the time!!! I think there might be something lacking in my education somewhere lol

I cannot wait to read Karen's next book - The Mandrake's Tale!!!

Originally reviewed on blog 8th March 2010

It's very rare that I write reviews; however, this novel is so beautifully written that I wanted to express my thoughts.

Having just finished 'The Owl Killers' less than an hour ago, I must admit to feeling a poignancy at leaving this wonderfully created world and its characters.

Each chapter is from a principal character's point of view. This device works extremely well and it immerses the reader into the novel smoothly and rapidly.

It also enables the reader to establish a deep understanding of the motivations of the characters as events unfold around them.

My favourites are Osmanna, Gudrun and Beatrice, who effortlessly pull on the heart strings as the novel progresses.

The incredible characters and plot aside, 'The Owl Killers' is intensely atmospheric and one quickly is able to see Ulewic and the beguinage in the mind's eye. The seasons of the year and it's echoes upon the landscape are beautifully described.

The last few pages are elegiac writing at it's best and has a wonderful and ingenious surprise contained within them.

I look forward to Karen Maitland's next novel with great anticipation and this hiatus provides me with good reason to read, 'Company Of Liars' and 'The Owl Killers' once again.

The year is 1341. Ulewic is a village deep in the English countryside.

For centuries the village has been ruled over by both the lord of the manor and by the Owl Masters - a pagan cult empowered by fear and superstition to dispense a harsh from of law and order.

The arrival of the church changes little, but the next arrival changes much. It is a beguinage - a house of religious women - a new community outside the village.

Suddenly there are four factions that all, in one way or another, want control of the hearts and minds of the people of Ulewic. And, of course, that causes conflict.

Ensuing events are narrated by five characters: Servant Martha, the head of the beguinage; Beatrice, a troubled young beguine; Osamma, the cast-off daughter of the lord of the manor who finds a home at the beguinage; Father Ulfrid, the parish priest with a fatal flaw; and a village child.

Each narrative voice is distinct and compelling and the story makes some fascinating twists and turns. There is much going on, but it would be unfair to say too much.

What I will say is that the Dark Ages are vividly brought to life, that the writing is simple and effective and the that the plot builds to a conclusion that provides both resolution and freedom to wonder what might happen next.

The presence of both pagan beliefs and Christianity provides much food for thought. This is often a very dark book and it shows human nature at its worst - the mysterious Owl Masters are particularly sinister. Yet it is also a book with much to say about the power of faith.

The Owl Killers isn't quite perfect - the symbolism is a little heavy handed, a few characters just a tiny bit predictable and the ending doesn't quite find the twist it needs to make it great.

But it does have ideas to think about wrapped up in a distinctive and compelling story - and more than enough strengths to leave me more than satisfied, and looking forward to Karen Maitland's next book.