The Owl Killers: A Novel
by Karen Maitland
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Book Summary Information
Author: Karen MaitlandEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Deckle Edge
Published: 2009-09-29
ISBN: 0385341709
Number of pages: 528
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Book Reviews of The Owl Killers: A Novel
Book Review: "There is no going back."
Summary: 5 Stars
Karen Maitland's "The Owl Killers" takes place in 1321, in Ulewic, a poor and benighted village "crouched with its back to the forest" in a desolate corner of England. Ulewic is ruled by the hypocritical and dictatorial Robert D'Acaster and its so-called spiritual leader is Father Ulfrid, a weak-willed, selfish, and cowardly priest. The residents eke out a hardscrabble living and death is their constant companion. Yet the church demands tithes even from the impoverished, and D'Acaster expects his underlings to regularly hand over a portion of their meager income.
The only bright spot is the beguinage, a community of courageous and formidable women, who farm, trade, treat the sick, feed the poor, and pray. They are not nuns, although they vow to remain celibate as long as they are part of the collective. Led by Servant Martha, the members of the beguinage are an altruistic group of remarkable females who support themselves and are committed to good works. Unfortunately, they have settled near a cursed place that is soon to be brought low by a series of calamities, including flood and famine. The gullible villagers are egged on by D'Acaster and Father Ulfrid to turn against their main benefactors--the beguines--whom they blame for their misfortunes.
Maitland is a brilliant storyteller who evokes the bleak mood of the dark ages with stunning authenticity. One of the greatest tributes one can give to a work of historical fiction is that it transports the reader to another time and place so completely that the present melts away. "The Owl Killers" takes us back to an era when life was cheap, food was scarce, the church was a power to be reckoned with, and a common laborer was fortunate to survive with his family intact from one year to the next.
The author has created a well-constructed and intricate narrative of awesome power, populated by a large and memorable cast. In the beguinage we meet Servant Martha, a stoic and strong leader who brooks no nonsense from anyone; Healing Martha, whose kindness and ability to treat a variety of ailments make her both beloved and indispensible; Beatrice, who would like to be a "Martha" (one of the leaders), but is tainted by soul-destroying bitterness; and Agatha, the youngest of Robert's daughters, a rebel who is destined to play a pivotal role in the proceedings. Philip D'Acaster is Lord Robert's licentious, cruel, and self-serving nephew; he is every bit as evil as his malevolent uncle.
The story is told from alternating viewpoints, resulting in a rich and smoothly blended narrative. Although the darkness is relieved by occasional passages of understated humor, the tale grows in intensity as it proceeds to its climactic conclusion. "The Owl Killers" occurs during a period of unrest, Maitland informs us in her excellent historical notes. "Significant and rapid climate changes" led to "widespread droughts, flooding, and crop failure." These catastrophes bred panic, lawlessness, a reversion to pagan beliefs and rituals, and a rebellion against the church and its hidebound traditions.
"The Owl Killers" could have been merely an engrossing tale of good vs. evil--the villains are as depraved and vicious as any you will come across--but the story goes much deeper. Maitland explores the power of women to band together as a force for positive change; the difficulty of uprooting superstition and prejudice, especially during times of economic crisis; and the responsibility of leaders (both secular and clerical) to protect and guide those whom they have promised to serve. The author implies that we live in difficult times, as well, as we struggle to cope with global warming, financial turmoil, and conflicts between various ethnic and religious groups. Will we emerge from our troubles more unified and self-confident, or will we turn against one another, seeking scapegoats on whom we can vent our frustrations?
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