Tim Westover is an American author from Rhode Island who now calls Georgia home. A graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina and the University of Georgia, he has traveled all over the South looking for new stories. His works include “The Old Weird South” and “Auraria: A Novel,” both set in the South as is his new novel “The Winter Sisters: A Novel.” “The Winter Sisters” centers around a stuffy big-city doctor, three rural folk healers and an unexpected partnership that could put lives on the line.

Set against the lush backdrop of the remote Georgia mountains in 1822, “The Winter Sisters” takes place in the real town of Lawrenceville. The story begins with a Prologue in 1811 that introduces the Winter Sisters: Rebecca, the oldest, Sarah and Effie the youngest. They are healers who employ old techniques they learned from their late mother who was known by the residents of Lawrenceville for her healing abilities. They were raised in Hope Hollow but move to Lawrenceville until they are driven out by the local minister who accuses them of witchcraft. In comes Dr. Aubrey Waycross, a big city doctor who is lured to the small town by the Mayor because, since the Winter Sisters moved away, its citizens no longer have anyone to tend to the sick; the braver ones still take on the dangerous trip to consult with the sisters. At first cynical and suspicious of the sisters, Dr. Waycross’ modern methods of healing clashes with their herbal and holistic approach but they eventually must work together when the threat of rabies sends the town into hysterics.

The author’s fascination with the South is evident throughout this charming historical novel. From the setting of the Georgia mountains to the cultural norms of the time, it should be considered a love letter to the South. “The Winter Sisters” offers readers a glimpse into the world of the early 1800s when advances in medicine were in their infancy and the general populace was highly superstitious and still relied on home remedies. Most of the characters are interesting and well developed but not all of them are relatable and it is never clear what Effie’s supernatural abilities are or if she is some sort of magical being. The point of view continuously shifts from first person (Dr. Waycross) to third person (the sisters) but the language is beautifully poetic: “The fire had gotten into the roof. Purple fingers reached out from collapsing beams, a demon struggling to escape…..The sibilant hissing [of the evaporating water] was the laughter of defeat.” The tension between science and folk medicine is at the center of the story because Dr. Waycross’ methods healing methods include amputations and bloodletting, which naturally scare people. Interestingly enough, Rebecca uses a piece of moldy bread to cure an infected leg. It is an immersive and fascinating story about the power of belief, the quest for knowledge and the magic just beyond reach. As a whole, “The Winter Sisters” is Southern literature at its finest and is recommended for fans of historical fiction that has touches of magic similar to the works of Lee Smith, Sarah Addison Allen and Josh Russell. All author proceeds from this novel, collected through 12/31/19, are being donated to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“When the mocking hand of death reaches out its fingers, as it must for all us mortals, we’ll go into the abyss with a grin.” – Salmon Thumb, travelling medicine man

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.