I was sent a copy of The White Hare by Jane Johnson to read and review by NetGalley. I really enjoyed this novel. It was well written, engaging and rather magical. I loved the fact that the story was told first person by protagonist Mila, who had moved to an isolated house in the far west of Cornwall with her mother Magda. The book is filled with colourful characters, folklore and mysticism, along with the age-old divide between Christianity and paganism. If you like to get absorbed in a book that has an otherworldly edge to a believable story then this is the one for you!

Reading a Jane Johnson book you know you are always in for a treat - I am such a fan. Whether she be writing an historical tale from Morocco or Spain, or the mystical elements of the Cornish coast, Jane has a real skill at capturing that sense of place. The White Hare sees a return to Cornwall and the myths and legends that surround this area of England.

‘Those ancient people had incredible vision and determination. They were channelling a force of nature with which they had a powerful connection, and I think we’ve lost that connection in this busy, chaotic world.’

The White Hare is a slow burn tale loaded with atmosphere as it tells the story of three generations of women from the same family. While somewhat different from Jane’s previous books, she still creates a great sense of place for these characters. You are sure to lose yourself in the Cornish coast from the beaches to the gothic home and the lightly imbued mystical elements. I appreciated the exploration of local folklore/pagan beliefs that are sprinkled throughout.

This is a story to immerse yourself in with a focus on people and place rather than a strong, consuming plot. Set in beautiful Cornwall, there is rarely a story to be told from this locale that does not appeal to readers who wish to lose themselves in a unique and special place.

‘Once you’ve lived in this valley, you’ll never be free of it. Its uncanny beauty gets inside you, right into the marrow. It has its own climate, its own peculiar character. In the same way as people can draw you in and repel you at the same time; both beguile and frighten you.’





This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book. I was drawn to it by the beautiful cover, and when I first started reading I wasn't at all sure I was going to enjoy it. There seemed to be so many cliches: people escaping from something in their past, old dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere, hostile neighbours, strange goings on, sensitive child. I felt the story was put together from pieces of other books.

However, although there are stereotypes and familiar themes in the book it has enough originality and freshness to make it an enjoyable and worthwhile read. The pace is quick, the plot has a few interesting twists and turns and it's brought to a satisfying conclusion. And I loved the prologue!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy for review.

A run down house in Cornwall and a mother-daughter relationship in need of repair make the basis for a beautifully atmospheric read. Mila, her daughter Janey and her mother Magda move to Cornwall to escape a scandal with Mila's marriage. The locals are less than welcoming to begin with, but when Janey talks of seeing the White Hare, long-buried secrets begin to emerge and the community come together in support. A brilliant read which I devoured in a single day, the characters were easy to identify with and the plot moved along at the right pace. Would definitely like to read more by Jane Johnson.

‘In a valley steeped in legend lies an abandoned house where Edens may be lost, found and remade...’

It’s 1954 and Mila, her daughter Janey and her mother Magda move from London to a remote valley in West Penwith, Cornwall, known as The White Valley, having bought a run-down house located between the sea and the woods. However, not is as it seems as there is a reason they managed to buy such a grand house for a great price. Superstitions, folklore, and rumours run wild in Cornwall and as well as being ‘outsiders’, not only for coming from London but also being Polish, settling in does not come with ease.

Magda has grand plans for the house, as she strives to have it restored to its former glory and run as B&B, where guests will enjoy lavish breaks in the countryside and be entertained with brilliant parties mingling with high society. However, Mila only wants to make this a safe home to bring up her daughter, a new start for them both, but the history of the valley makes life very uneasy. There is a white hare which roams The White Valley; not all get to see her but if they do, they are unsure if she is an omen or a blessing.

Oh, my goodness this is a superbly unsettling, eerie, atmospheric story but so perfectly balanced as I found myself smiling and chuckling from time to time which lightened the tone. However, these moments where I let my guard down never lasted for long as I was soon sitting on the edge of my seat again. It is character-driven through Mila where the story slowly unfolds, and layer upon layer is peeled away revealing either an event or revelation, I was just engrossed as I never knew what was coming. It is also beautifully rich in superstitions and folklore, seamlessly blending tales from Poland with Cornish tales and rich in Cornish history. I now need a trip to West Penwith to learn and explore further. This superb book is out this Thursday 23rd June!

In the far west of Cornwall lies the White Valley, which cuts deeply through Bluebell Woods down to the sea at White Cove. The Valley has a long and bloody history, laced with folklore, and it sits a house above the beach that has lain neglected since the war. It comes with a reputation and a strange atmosphere, which is why mother and daughter, Magdalena and Mila manage to acquire it so cheaply in the summer of 1954. Magda has grand plans to restore the house to it's former glory as a venue for glittering parties. Her daughter Mila just wants to escape the scandal in her past and make a happy home for her daughter Janey.

The story explores the Cornish folklore and it's an atmospheric read. Magda and Mila buy a gothic styled house that they want to restore but both have different visions for it's use after the restorations are complete. The Cornish legend is entwined with the supernatural. Mila's daughter, five year old Janey, behaviour changes almost overnight, She becomes obsessed with a toy rabbit. This is a descriptively and well written book. The characters are well developed and believable. I quite enjoyed this book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeadOfZeus and the author #JaneJohnston for my ARC of #TheWhiteHare in exchange for an honest review.

A historical, mystical tale set in Cornwall in 1954 explores Cornish folklore, the natural world and human relationships. The author creates an atmospheric ethos that is a primary motivator in the story. After a scandalous relationship implodes, Mila moves to a gothic-style house with her mother and young daughter. The locals are wary of incomers, and the house has a dark history. Mila wonders if she has made a mistake.

I love the mystical quality of the tale and how Mila gradual realises her worth through meeting some of the valley's unusual inhabitants. The gentle pacing allows the reader to appreciate the sensory imagery and secrets within the lyrical writing.

It's a story of acceptance, renewal and love.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I love Jane Johnson’s books; they always have such fascinating settings – 17th century Morocco in The Sultan’s Wife, 15th century Spain in The Court of Lions, and the author’s native Cornwall in The Tenth Gift. She returns to Cornwall again for her new novel, The White Hare, a book steeped in the myths and legends of that region of England.

The novel begins in 1954, with Mila Prusik, her mother Magda and five-year-old daughter Janey arriving at White Cove near Eglosberyan on the Cornish coast. Having left Poland for England during World War II, the family had been settled in London until a disastrous relationship with a married man left Mila desperate to make a fresh start. She and Magda have bought a neglected old house in the Cornish countryside and are planning to restore it to its former glory and turn it into a guest house. However, not everyone is happy to see the house under new ownership and the Prusiks receive a hostile welcome.

As Mila and her mother begin their restoration work, they hear hints from their neighbours that the house has a sinister past and should be left alone. The two women think this is nonsense and continue with their plans, but Mila becomes increasingly concerned about the changes in Janey’s behaviour – particularly her obsession with Rabbit, a stuffed toy that seems to have a mind of its own. How is all of this related to sightings of the legendary White Hare and to the strange symbols and carvings Mila finds all over the house and its grounds?

The White Hare is one of the most atmospheric books I’ve read for a while, not just because of the supernatural aspects – which are subtle, ambiguous and unsettling – but also because of the way the setting is so beautifully described. As Jane Johnson explains in her author’s note, the town of Eglosberyan and its valley are not real but are inspired by several real places. I could easily picture the white house surrounded by dark woodland, the stream tumbling between mossy rocks, the lonely beach framed by granite cliffs – they are all brought so vividly to life.

I also found it interesting to follow the relationship between Mila and Magda. When they first arrive in Cornwall, Mila is timid and submissive, allowing herself and Janey to be bullied by the hard and domineering Magda, but both characters do grow and change throughout the novel as the valley works its magic on them. There’s also a love interest for Mila, but although I did like him I felt that this part of the story took too much of a dramatic turn towards the end. Still, this is a very enjoyable novel and, while it’s quite different from the other Jane Johnson books I’ve read, being set entirely in one period and not as far into the past, I liked it just as much.

Mila and her overbearing mother, Magda, move to a neglected old house in a deep valley in Cornwall, along with Mila’s daughter, Janey. They plan to restore it and turn it into an exclusive holiday retreat but soon learn that the locals do not like the house because of its dark history, which they are reluctant to talk about, and many are hostile to the new occupants. This setting is very atmospheric and has a strong Gothic feel to it. The Cornish legend woven through the story is fantastic and I loved the supernatural touches, which were done with a light hand. Most of the characters are very strong and memorable, but the one who I felt had the least personality was the main character, Mila. This is partly explained by her recent back story and also having always felt unloved and overwhelmed by her very strong mother, but at the same time I struggled to see what her attraction was for the main male character. I really enjoyed the story though and Jane Johnson remains one of my favourite authors.

Well written with an almost beautiful prose, compelling storyline, well devekloped characters and a well described setting whose descriptions of the Cornish Countryside made me feel lke I was there. I loved it.

a novel about mothers and daughters
set in cornwall
local legends about white hares and what happens if you see one
a girl with a plush toy of a rabbit
magical realism
mystical

Mila, her mother Magda and Milas’ 5 year old daughter Janey have left London for the wilds of Cornwall, buying an old house, with the intention of turning it into a B&B. But tension runs deep in the relationship between the older mother and daughter pairing. At the start, Magda is very much the driving force, acerbic, opinionated and without any apparent love for her daughter. Mila, in the meantime, seems cowed by her mother, devoted to Janey but hankering back to the life she left. As the book gets into its stride the relationships change, not least because of Janey and Rabbit. I liked the way the wildness of the area in Cornwall is described, the depth of feeling that the locals have, to each other and outsiders. The history and mysticism of Cornwall is brought into the story really well, and feels very atmospheric. There is a good murder/mystery plot running through it, very well researched and in all a thoroughly enjoyable, intriguing read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The White Hare by Jane Johnson

Not my usual read but I Really enjoyed this book.
A story of a woman and her child who move to a house in Cornwall in the early 1950s.
It was part fairy story , part the unusual arts , and intrigued me from start to finish.
I enjoyed the characters and whilst the story was almost dreamlike , they were totally believable which is credit to the wonderful author.
Will look out for other books by her.

A derelict house on the Cornish coast some to life in this Gothic by the incredibly talented Johnson. Three generations of women move to the house, which Mila and her mother Magda hope to restore to its former glory. Mila plans to make the house the house THE place for the glitterati of 1954 to congregate for drinks, dinner and the curative powers of nature. Magda is just hoping for a good, safe place to raise her daughter, Janey. Local folklore and superstition provide the Gothic note to this beautifully written story about family and the strength of women. For fans of Susanna Kearsley

There were some very good bits in this book.
I enjoyed Janey, all the olde world elements, the fraught relationship between Mila and her mother. There was just enough of a hint of something creepy happening too.
I could perfectly picture the house being brought to life .
The slow reveal of the whole picture was good too.
Some parts, I didn't enjoy so much.

It was overall an enjoyable read, and I'll look for more by this author.

Really loved reading "The White Hare" by Jane Johnson. It is the kind of book that really appeals to me - melding folklore, pagan, the plight of women, all set in the beautiful countryside of Cornwall. I really wish I could have read this book when on holiday in Cornwall to really soak up the atmosphere but never mind, I had memories of my holiday and this book to transfer me back there. It had some elements not too dissimilar to Kate Mosse books, especially in the end. Will be keeping an eye out for more books by Jane Johnson.

Mila and Magda arrive at a remote house in Cornwall, with Janey, Mila's young daughter. I love the characters in this novel, right from the start Magda's bossiness is evident, and Mila's reaction to finding her daughter missing is panic, as opposed to Magda. But I will not reveal more of the plot, for fear of spoiling the novel. I have read Jane Johnson's books before, and this one did not disappoint. Written in beautiful language I really enjoyed the novel and would recommend it. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.