The White Witch's Garden: Plants and Potions of Power

The White Witch is a fictional character found in C.S. Lewis' series "The Chronicles of Narnia." She is a prominent antagonist in the first book of the series, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Also known as Jadis, the White Witch is depicted as a cold-hearted and power-hungry ruler of the land of Narnia. The White Witch possesses a captivating and ethereal beauty, which hides her evil nature.

The White Witch possesses a captivating and ethereal beauty, which hides her evil nature. She is described as tall and regal, with shimmering white hair and ice-blue eyes. Jadis has the ability to control the weather, particularly causing an eternal winter in Narnia, which symbolizes her icy and cruel disposition.

The White Witch

Set in 17th-century England, when Cavaliers struggle with Puritans to keep the throne safe for King Charles 1st.

The wise and gentle Froniga Haslewood, is caught between two worlds. Divided between her Puritan family at the Oxfordshire village's manor house and her relatives in the Gypsy community, she works using her skill in healing to help those in need. Her cousin Robert , a local squire, is gripped by the prospect of war. Following his boyhood hero, he leaves his family and travels away to fight for the Parliamentarian cause. While his wife Margaret and their twin children wait in the manor house for news about him. Left behind with her brother, Robert's daughter Jenny grows up under the shadow of conflict, until she encounters mysterious royalist Francis Leyland. While Froniga's gypsy cousins sometimes camp near her, and have befriended Yomen, who conceals a grand past, but is now a tinker and royalist spy. The women must choose between family loyalty and their own heart. As their lives entwine, the villagers struggle to stay true to their beliefs as war threatens to tear their community apart.

Genres Historical FictionFictionHistoricalWitchesRomanceClassicsFantasy

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Elizabeth Goudge

Elizabeth Goudge was an English author of novels, short stories and children's books.

Elizabeth de Beauchamp Goudge was born on 24 April 1900 in Wells, Somerset, in Tower House close by the cathedral in an area known as The Liberty, Her father, the Reverend Henry Leighton Goudge, taught in the cathedral school. Her mother was Miss Ida Collenette from the Channel Isles. Elizabeth was an only child. The family moved to Ely for a Canonry as Principal of the theological college. Later, when her father was made Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, they moved to Christ Church, Oxford.
She went to boarding school during WWI and later to Arts College, presumably at Reading College. She made a small living as teacher, and continued to live with her parents. During this time, she wrote a few plays, and was encouraged to write novels by a publisher. As her writing career took off, she began to travel to other nations. Unfortunately, she suffered from depression for much of her life. She had great empathy for people and a talent for finding the comic side of things, displayed to great effect in her writing.

Goudge's first book, The Fairies' Baby and Other Stories (1919), was a failure and it was several years before she authored Island Magic (1934), which is based on Channel Island stories, many of which she had learned from her mother, who was from Guernsey. After the death of her father, Goudge and her mother went to Devon, and eventually wound up living there in a small cottage. There, she wrote prolifically and was happy.

After the death of her mother, and at the wishes of Goudge's family who wished her to live closer to them, she found a companion who moved with her to Rose Cottage in Reading. She lived out her life there, and had many dogs in her life. Goudge loved dogs, and much preferred their company to that of humans. She continued to write until shortly before her death, when ill health, successive falls, and cataracts hindered her ability to write. She was much loved.

Goudge was awarded the Carnegie Medal for The Little White Horse (1946), the book which J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter stories, has said was her favorite as a child. The television mini-series Moonacre was based on The Little White Horse. Her Green Dolphin Country (1944) was made into a film (under its American title, Green Dolphin Street) which won the Academy Award for Special Effects in 1948.

A Diary of Prayer (1966) was one of Goudge's last works. She spent her last years in her cottage on Peppard Common, just outside Henley-on-Thames, where a blue plaque was unveiled in 2008.

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Her primary goal is to maintain her reign as the sole ruler of Narnia and prevent the prophecy of the lion Aslan's return from coming true. The White Witch believes that if two human children, Peter and Susan, along with their siblings Edmund and Lucy, are crowned as kings and queens by Aslan, it will end her reign. Therefore, she employs cunning tactics to capture and ultimately eliminate the children. Throughout the story, the White Witch demonstrates her manipulative and deceptive nature. She tempts Edmund into betraying his siblings by offering him endless amounts of Turkish Delight and promises of power. Despite her sweet demeanor, Jadis is capable of immense cruelty and will not hesitate to use her powers to turn enemies into stone. Despite her formidable abilities, the White Witch is eventually defeated by the combined efforts of the children and the rightful ruler of Narnia, Aslan. Aslan's return brings an end to her perpetual winter and oppressive rule. The character of the White Witch serves as a representation of evil, temptation, and tyranny within the Narnia series. Her presence highlights the struggle between good and evil, and the importance of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice in overcoming oppression..

Reviews for "The White Witch's Sacrifice: The Price of Power"

1. Bella - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "The White Witch". The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters seemed flat and one-dimensional. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with any of the characters. Additionally, the pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself getting bored and losing interest in the plot. Overall, this book just didn't live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it.

2. Max - 2 stars - I found "The White Witch" to be a mediocre read. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat for me. The writing lacked depth and didn't do justice to the intriguing premise. Furthermore, the character development was lacking, and I couldn't form a connection with anyone in the story. The plot dragged on at times and left me wanting more excitement and action. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and wouldn't consider it one of my favorites.

3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really let down by "The White Witch". The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took a lot of effort to stay engaged with the story. The writing style was also a bit dull and repetitive, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the book. The characters felt underdeveloped, and I didn't feel invested in their journey or outcomes. While the concept was interesting, the execution just fell short for me. I wouldn't recommend this book to others looking for an exciting and captivating read.

4. David - 1 star - I have to admit, "The White Witch" was a disappointment. The plot lacked originality and was predictable from start to finish. I found the writing to be uninspiring, with a lack of descriptive language and vivid settings. The characters were forgettable and didn't leave a lasting impression. Overall, this book felt like a missed opportunity and I wouldn't recommend it.

The White Witch's Crystal Ball: Insights into the Future