Interview with Deborah Harkness, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES

By Holly Tucker

I have long been impressed by Deborah Harkness’ work. Deborah is a historian at the University of Southern California and – like me – works in early-modern science. Her work on Renaissance alchemy is thoughtful, detailed and fills a vital gap in scholarship on this important but at times seemingly impenetrable subject (The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution and John Dee’s Conversations with Angels: Cabala, Alchemy, and the End of Nature).

So imagine my surprise when I learned that she was coming out with a novel! A Discovery of Witches chronicles the experiences of a historian of alchemy (sound familiar) who also happens to come from a long line of witches. On a research trip to Oxford, Diana Bishop stumbles on a manuscript that promises to unlock secrets long hidden. Secrets that pit witch covens against vampires in a race to learn the truth of their existence.

Now before you groan and say, “not another vampire book,” you’re just going to have to trust me. You have never read anything quite like this. I received an advance reader in the mail the day before Thanksgiving (the book released last month). I barely moved for three days as I plowed through the book. Thank goodness we didn’t have plans for the holidays!

Deborah and I had a chance to connect by phone not too long ago. We talked about what’s like to be a historian writing fiction, what books she recommends for people wanting to learn more about witches, and why alchemy is so much more than turning base metals into gold.

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Have you read A Discovery of Witches? Would love to hear your thoughts!

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Conrad

Hi, I loved your book, can not wait for the follow up.
Great work.
http://theviewfromsarisworld.blogspot.com/2010/07/dracula-in-love-must-read-for-everyone.html sari nichols

I have this on my wish list. It sounds great. I will be so glad when this semester is over; I will be able to pick up a book for pleasure again.
http://unabridged-expression.blogspot.com/ Audra

I’ve heard great things about this book — wonderful interview — super fun!
librarypat

Great phone interview, most interesting.
Have read good reviews of this book on the historical fiction sites and other review sites i follow. I always appreciate a well researched book. I realize it is fiction, but the history and facts surrounding the characters and story should be accurate.
Thanks for the suggestions of other books to read for more on the topics touched upon in this book.
This book is on my Wish List. I am happy to hear there will be a trilogy. You can’t beat history, mystery, and romance.
http://readingadventures.blogspot.com Marg

Thanks so much for this interview. I really enjoyed listening to it, and have the book here to read in the next couple of weeks or so.
Kate

A Discovery of Witches should have been edited to half its length, then might have been an interesting book. The last third of the novel is the most worthwhile, and almost made me think about following a story that was not advertised as the first in a trilogy. The female protagonist made me want to smack her often, and the Wondrous Vampire Mate started out irritating and grew to become only partially bearable by book’s end. I’m sure he’ll regress in book two. If I wanted to know about what raw foods to present for a vampire dinner date, or extensive history of ancient books that bear little relationship to the story in progress, or how well vampires can do yoga, I’ll . . . wait a minute, I didn’t care about any of those things! The supposition that a healthy female wouldn’t think it was weird to forego sexual intercourse (although mutual masturbation was apparently acceptable) after marriage really made me howl with laughter. Perhaps Harkness will do better down the road. Witches was painful.

Palladian

Your ‘nays’ were my ‘yays’ … I loved the book and I’m a hard sell … especially anything to do with the overhyped vampire crap that is out there now.
I can’t wait for the next one.
I resisted buying this for the past 10 months and now I’m glad I did … gloriously glad.
I should put a spell on your book for you … heh heh heh

Quispiam

When I started this book, I wasn’t sure I could stick with it. I worried that it was basically “Twilight- for Academics!” or “the Da Vinci code- but smarter!” But there are many layers to explore under the surface described in the first few pages. I soon fell into the world of the book and loved every page of it. Harkness manages the unfolding revelations deftly, and weaves in references to history that feel rich and real. I’m looking forward to the next book!
Sarah Jane

I love the book I am reading it for a second time and hoping for a second book. I can’t wait to find out what will happen to Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont. Please bring out a second book I want to read it. I also would like it signed as this one is a first edition.

Sarah Jane Preston