Introduction

An evocative and charming novel full of secrets and mystery, from the million-copy bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop

In a quiet village in Ireland, a mysterious local myth is about to change everything…

One hundred years ago, Anna, a young farm girl, volunteers to help an intriguing American visitor translate fairy stories from Irish to English. But all is not as it seems and Anna soon finds herself at the heart of a mystery that threatens her very way of life.

In New York in the present day, Sarah Harper boards a plane bound for the West Coast of Ireland. But once there, she finds she has unearthed dark secrets – secrets that tread the line between the everyday and the otherworldly, the seen and the unseen.

With a taste for the magical in everyday life, Evie Woods's latest novel is full of ordinary characters with extraordinary tales to tell.

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Excerpt

Thornwood House


Where Thornwood House now stands, was once ancient woodland. It is said that when Lord Hawley purchased the estate in 1882, as a marriage gift for his wife, he ordered the entire site to be cleared before building works could commence. However, in the middle of this site grew a gnarled old hawthorn tree; a fairy tree, and ’twas said that misfortune would befall any man who so much as scarred the twisted bark. A seeress from the locality warned the Master not to touch it, saying that The Good People would have their revenge on anyone who tampered with their dwelling place. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the publisher - added by Pauline

 1. What role do myths and legends play in The Story Collector?
2. How would you describe the role of the hawthorn tree in the story?
3. To what extent does the natural environment in the story influence the unfolding events?
4. How are various characters' reactions to folklore and superstition depicted?
5. Can you trace any symbolic elements in the story and their relevance to the plot?
6. How does the narrative explore the concept of tradition against modern sensibilities?
7. What role does societal expectation play in shaping the actions of the characters?
8. How are the elements of loss, grief, and healing tackled within the narrative?
9. How does the author utilize the supernatural to enhance the overall theme of the story?
10. How do the shared stories and experiences within the narrative underline the universality of human experiences across different time periods?

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