Book review: The Cunning Woman’s Cup, by Sue Hewitt

The Cunning Woman's Cup by Sue Hewitt


4.5 of 5 stars

I’m not part of the target demographic for this book, due to my Y chromosome, but I enjoyed it immensely. Hewitt does a great job detailing the setting—the small, rural town of Duddo near the Scottish border in Northumberland. You can feel the chill of a foggy morning in your bones and the mud squelching under your boots after a long rain. The bonds of friendship between two women, as well as the site of their chance meeting, near an ancient stone circle, form the primary threads for the story.

Hewitt also weaves another tale into the story, one that took place in ancient times. As the book progresses, the two stories are knit together with an expert hand. The mystical connections that lead to the discovery of an archeological artifact and its impact on the characters are gradually revealed as well.

This is beautiful writing, a character-driven story that will appeal to any reader who enjoys literary fiction or someone who has a particular affinity for the English countryside. At times, I felt that some of the plot point resolutions were a bit too perfect, but it didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the story. The ending may seem a bit abrupt to some, but I like stories that leave the reader asking questions. I hope a sequel is on the way!

Note: I received a free copy of this book for review.


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