The Earth Witch

Bronwen Davis moves into a dilapidated cottage in a small, tightly-knit Welsh community. Soon Owen, abandoned by his mother and brought up by his aunt and uncle, finds himself increasingly drawn to her. Eventually he finds himself unable to break away - Bronwen, Earth Witch, has claimed him as a sacrifice to perpetuate the Earth's renewal. The cyclical pattern of medieval legend emerges - lover/mother, rescuer, observer: Kate is the rescuer as she intuitively senses Bronwen's true nature and defeats her through her own use of ancient power - 'people not only died for what they loved, they also killed for it.' The book was written in 1982 and, linguistically, shows its age somewhat. The reproduction of the gentle Welsh lilt is over-stylised on occasion and the narrative line stumbles awkwardly in places. Do offer this through the medium of book boxes - perhaps most interestingly to 3rd years as a basis for a study of legend or as one component in an analysis of Lawrence's work.