For fans of Alice Hoffman and Kate Morton, The White Hare is a spellbinding novel about mothers and daughters finding a new home for themselves, the secrets they try to bury, and the local legends that may change their lives.
In the far west of Cornwall lies the White Valley, which cuts deeply through bluebell woods down to the sea at White Cove. The valley has a long and bloody history, laced with folklore, and in it sits a house above the beach that has lain neglected since the war. It comes with a reputation and a strange atmosphere, which is why mother and daughter Magdalena and Mila manage to acquire it so cheaply in the fateful summer of 1954.
Magda has grand plans to restore the house to its former glory as a venue for glittering parties, where the rich and celebrated gathered for cocktails and for bracing walks along the coast. Her grown daughter, Mila, just wants to escape the scandal in her past and make a safe and happy home for her little girl, Janey, a solitary, precocious child blessed with a vivid imagination, much of which she pours into stories about her magical plush toy, Rabbit.
But Janey’s rabbit isn’t the only magical being around. Legend has it that an enchanted white hare may be seen running through the woods. Is it an ill omen or a blessing? As Mila, her mother, and her young daughter adjust to life in this mysterious place, they will have to reckon with their own pasts and with the secrets that have been haunting the White Valley for decades.
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“Narrator Danielle Cohen…distinguishes the Cornish townsfolk with precision and unspools enchanting legends and secrets that will captivate listeners as much as this story’s characters and setting. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
“The White Hare is an exceptionally atmospheric read as Cornish folklore is mixed with the supernatural.”
— Cloud Lake Literary“A refreshing and comforting read for fans of Alice Hoffman and V. E. Schwab. Gorgeous eco-supernatural elements make hauntings attractive.”
— Library Journal (starred review)“Jam-packed with slowly released secrets: those between mothers and daughters, those kept by the villagers, and those locked away within traumatized minds.”
— Shelf Awareness“A home renovation story with a Gothic flair…[that] offers suspense, historical drama, and a hint of romance.”
— Booklist“An engrossing gothic tale of family secrets, scandals, and ancient mysteries…[with] plenty of savory atmospheric details.”
— Publishers Weekly“In my mythical bookshop this would be in the ‘books that remind you of the true meaning of reading for pleasure’ section. It’s mythic, witchy, [and full of] mystery and romance. It sings of an earth alive with power.”
— Jackie Morris, co-author and illustrator of The Lost SpellsBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Jane Johnson is a novelist, historian, and publisher who has worked in the book industry for twenty years. She has written for both adults and children, including the bestselling novel The Tenth Gift. She is the UK editor for many bestselling authors, including George R. R. Martin. Writing under the pen name Jude Fisher, she wrote the companion books to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. Connect with her on Twitter @JaneJohnsonBakr, on Instagram @JaneJohnsonBakrim, or visit her website at JaneJohnsonBooks.com.
Mike Cooper is a British voice artist based in the United States. In addition to a wide variety of voice-over work he has narrated audiobooks including The Divine Spark, The Magician’s Way, and The Last Shaman.