{"product_id":"the-swan-bone-flute-rachel-oleary-9781916073838","title":"The Swan-Bone Flute","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical fantasy - with a difference! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEarth lovers, climate activists, environment protectors - use this novel and its \u003cstrong\u003eQuestions for Book Clubs or for Groups\u003c\/strong\u003e to vision a sustainable future together. The characters in Wellstowe and Peony Valley live in harmony with nature - until the rule of the fist crashes into their peaceful lives with arrows and groping hands. They resist; as they protect each other and reclaim their inclusive democracy, we see how we can re-create our lives and society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e'You can choose tales that keep your nose in the dirt - or look around for talk that lifts you. Then it's up to you...'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 598 CE\/AD, Anglo-Saxon invaders have colonised the edge of the fens in uneasy peace with their neighbours, the Britons. The settlers enslaved some of these Celtic people.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen \u003cstrong\u003eUrsel\u003c\/strong\u003e jumps down from an oak to save a mother deer from the hunt, her uncle beats her but cannot silence her.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHilda the storyteller\u003c\/strong\u003e strides into their settlement, her pack full of myths of the peaceful queens and shamans of Peony Valley. She fills her listeners with dreams of honey and blood - and longing for justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSlave-girl Meg\u003c\/strong\u003e yearns to be a storyteller like Hilda - but dare she? What do headmen do to women who stand tall?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer mother, \u003cstrong\u003eSeren the Healer, \u003c\/strong\u003e longs to use her spells - but has to sweep and gut fish for her owner.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOswynne, headman's wife\u003c\/strong\u003e, is torn between loyalty to him and the nourishing company of women. Is Seren's magic mist dangerous?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen they grow from fear to friendship they have a chance to stop Thane Roger grabbing \u003cem\u003e'whatever, and whoever, he wants.' \u003c\/em\u003eWill he take over their inclusive moot, or can the women work together?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere can we start? The \u003cstrong\u003eself-help elements\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cem\u003eThe Swan-Bone Flute \u003c\/em\u003einclude information about listening partnerships; the characters discover how healing this simple technique can be. They base their cooperation on friendships strengthened this way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHilda's stories bring shamanic wisdom which sustains and guides her listeners through challenges. They learn to direct their anger and use its power to confront wrongs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you like \u003cem\u003eJuliet Marillier, Mary Renault, Philip Pullman\u003c\/em\u003e, enjoy this book as a gripping read.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Rachel O'Leary\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1916073832\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781916073838\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Rachel M O'Leary\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/14\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 450\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.96lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.81h x 5.06w x 0.91d","brand":"Rachel O'Leary","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48153865552127,"sku":"9781916073838","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_50084e70-5b5e-46e1-a8f1-89c3a61583b7.jpg?v=1770786357","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-swan-bone-flute-rachel-oleary-9781916073838","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}