The Herbalist: A moving historical novel inspired by true events in 1930's Ireland

Author:   Niamh Boyce
Publisher:   Niamh Boyce
ISBN:  

9781738550630


Pages:   450
Publication Date:   30 June 2025
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Our Price $58.08 Quantity:  
Add to Cart

Share |

The Herbalist: A moving historical novel inspired by true events in 1930's Ireland


Add your own review!

Overview

An Irish Book Award winner and instant bestseller in Ireland, The Herbalist is an electrifying novel from Hennessy XO New Irish Writing Award winner, Niamh Boyce. Inspired by real events, it's a deeply moving and viscerally powerful novel about the lives of women in 1930s Ireland - an unforgettable story of love, shame, hypocrisy and courage. One day in a small town in Ireland, the herbalist appears and sets up his stall in the market square. The stranger is exotic and glamorous, and young Emily is spellbound. However, she has competition for the herbalist's attentions. The women of the town - those from big houses and their maids, the shopkeepers and their serving girls, are also mesmerised by the visitor, who they say, can perform miracles. When Emily discovers the miracle workers dark side, her world turns upside down. She may be naïve, but she has a fierce sense of right and wrong. So, with his fate in her hands, Emily faces the biggest decision of her young life.

Full Product Details

Author:   Niamh Boyce
Publisher:   Niamh Boyce
Imprint:   Niamh Boyce
Dimensions:   Width: 12.90cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 19.80cm
Weight:   0.395kg
ISBN:  

9781738550630


ISBN 10:   173855063
Pages:   450
Publication Date:   30 June 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Reviews

'The most entertaining yet substantial historical novel since Joseph O'Connor's Star of the Sea.' Irish Times 'A vividly imagined tale of love, lust and longing ... It is also an important book, which adds a rich fictional version of Irish history to a stark period of Irish life ... a compelling read with a cathartic ending that deserves a wide readership. It remains authentic and moving to the end' Sunday Business Post 'Niamh Boyce's compelling female characters push against the rigid social parameters of 1930s Ireland, yearning for the light of the outside world, which comes in the shape of a stranger trading in herbs, cures, complications and danger' Dermot Bolger 'An elegant morality tale about the inescapable strictures of women's lives... ""a dazzling new voice"". Sunday Times 'Boyce's subject matter may be dark, and she treats it with the seriousness it deserves, but she writes with a lightness of touch not often seen in the genre ... just as the readers of The Herbalist share the women's fear as we read, we share their wonder and excitement as well ... hugely impressive and wonderfully assured' Irish Times 'There's a lot going on that is slowly revealed and the writing is beautiful ... a serious new literary talent' TV3 'Comparisons to Edna O'Brien and Pat McCabe are more than justified. That said, Boyce has a unique voice and sensibility, one that's entirely her own'Image Magazine 'A powerful plot full of betrayal, morality and love ... Not only is this a book that will keep you captivated, it will remain with you long after you've read the last words and closed the cover' Country Living 'She has a real lightness of touch and it's a wonderfully told story' Marian Finucane, RTE 'A riveting story that electrifies and dazzles' Writing.ie Read less


Author Information

Niamh Boyce is an award winning Irish novelist and poet. She has fictionalised two Irish criminal trials. 'The Herbalist', based on a trial in her home town, won Debut Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, and was longlisted for an IMPAC. Her novel, Her Kind, is based on the landmark Irish witch trial of 1324, often known as The witch trial of Alice Kyteler. It was nominated for the E.U Prize for Literature. Niamh was awarded the prestigious Hennessy XO Literary Award for her poetry. Her short fiction has been widely anthologised, most notably in The Long Gaze Back, an anthology of Irish Women Writers. Agent: Niamh is represented by Nicola Barr Rye Literary Agency.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions
Latest Reading Guide

RGJUNE2025

 

Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty
Shopping cart
Mailing List