Witches of Lychford

Paul Cornell — 2015

Traveler, Cleric, Witch. The villagers in the sleepy hamlet of Lychford are divided. A supermarket wants to build a major branch on their border. Some welcome the employment opportunities, while some object to the modernization of the local environment. Judith Mawson (local crank) knows the truth -- that Lychford lies on the boundary between two worlds, and that the destruction of the border will open wide the gateways to malevolent beings beyond imagination. But if she is to have her voice heard, she's going to need the assistance of some unlikely allies... PRAISE FOR Paul Cornell's THE WITCHES OF LYCHFORD "At once epic and terribly intimate. This is the story of a village, not a city, and all the more powerful for that; not all big fantasy needs an urban setting. Beautifully written, perfectly cruel, and ultimately kind. This is Cornell at the height of his craft." — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of the InCryptid and October Daye series "Rich in charm... local politics and witchcraft writ small and personal, but large in consequence. [Cornell] adeptly describes the emotion of magic; its effects and internal ignition of wonder. The feel of being exposed to magic for the first time and the feel of doing magic and having it done to you have never been better described in any story." — Bill Willingham, author of Fables and Down the Mysterly River "Masterfully creepy and sinister, all the more so for taking place in the beautifully drawn English countryside." — Jenny Colgan, author of Doctor Who: Into the Nowhere

Reviews

Janice Hopper@archergal

Nov 2, 2022

This was the first book I've read by Paul Cornell. I thought it was plenty good enough. :) Three women come together to stop a magical incursion in the form of a big box store. That's the basic story. The fun comes in the details and in the characters of the different women. The story reads like it's prelude to more Adventures of the Lychford Three. I'd definitely read that series. :) The narrator was fine. The way she voiced one character made me think of Granny Weatherwax crossed with Mrs. Hughes of Downton Abbey. That's a feature, not a bug, in my world.

Maggie Gordon@maggieg

Aug 13, 2022

I adooooooored this novella! An urban fantasy starring older women? YES PLEASE. In this short little tale, three older ladies battle the demonic forces of gentrification. No, really. Demonic forces of gentrification. See, Lychford occupies an important space between the world we know and places like the world of the fae, and certain powers want the walls to break down so they can feast on tasty human lives. Their method of attack? A Walmart-like company that wants to come in, disturbing the careful ordering of geographic protections. Doesn't that sound like an amazing set-up? I do wish this had been a novel as the novella doesn't necessarily get to dive into the world and conflict, but I also love novellas so.... Just give me more Lychford and I'll be happy!

Sheila@duchess

Feb 7, 2022

Wonderful! I wish this novella could be transformed into a series because the characters are great & I need Judith to get together with Sunil & for all of them to do witchy things together UGH this was great <3

Anastaciya@anastaciya

Oct 27, 2021

[upd Nov.8, 2019] - for as short as this book is, it took my ages to get into. The beginning just doesn't grip me, and I can't even say why. I remember being so confused when I first read it several years back (probably had not enough English, although I wouldn't say the vocabulary here is overwhelming). Don't know what my problem was. Today I'm adding to this a star (and maybe even a half). It's a great short story. Characters are explored, things are explained. All in all, great read.