Immerse yourself in the captivating historical novel, The Dance Tree, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, a Sunday Times bestselling author. Set in Strasbourg during the sweltering summer of 1518, this enthralling tale unfolds amidst the notorious dancing plague. It all begins with a lone woman, impoverished and starving, who starts to dance uncontrollably in the city square. Her relentless dancing, lasting for days without rest, soon draws hundreds of others into the frenzy, leading the authorities to declare an emergency as the dancers' feet bleed and some even dance to their deaths.
On the outskirts of this chaos, Lisbet, a pregnant woman, lives with her husband and mother-in-law, tending to their bees, the family's sole source of income. Her life is upended when her enigmatic sister-in-law, Nethe, returns after seven years of penance in the mountains for a crime cloaked in secrecy. As the dancing plague intensifies, Lisbet becomes determined to uncover the hidden truths within her family and protect them from the spreading hysteria.
Lisbet's quest for answers entangles her in a web of secrets, lies, forbidden love, and dangerous passions. As the city struggles under the relentless rhythm of the dancers, musicians are called upon to play the Devil out of the afflicted women, further fueling medieval superstitions. Praised by authors like Marian Keyes, Jennifer Saint, and Elodie Harper, The Dance Tree is a sensual portrayal of women's struggles and social change in 16th-century Europe. This evocative novel masterfully weaves mystical events with an original narrative, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction.