Having relocated to the countryside after the tragic death of her mother, sixteen-year-old Cate Aspey has found it difficult to fit in, particularly since the village she resides in, Long Byrne, has its own traumatic history.
Four hundred years ago, two young women were burned at the stake for witchcraft, something the insular locality hasn’t processed particularly well. The inhabitants are obsessed with the tale to this day. The upcoming anniversary leads to Cate, a talented writer, being asked to put together a play about the two witches. With her mental health already suffering, deep involvement in the dark history of Long Byrne affects her, driving wedges between friends, family and another newcomer to the village, a direct descendant of one of the witches.
The Black Air is at its best when dealing with Cate’s trauma and eating disorder. Her characterisation is excellent. The author has put a lot of work into providing detailed descriptions of the geography and environment of Long Byrne, but we lack insight as to why the story of the witches still holds such sway over it after four centuries. The UK is not short of horrific history and why the village still bears scars from this incident needs more explanation. In light of this, the finale, with its overt supernatural occurrence included, feels unearned.
Paddy Lennon
The Black Air
Jennifer Lane
Uclan Publishing, 2023
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781915235312
