There’s a bit of an introduction section, and then the book goes through a bunch of plants alphabetically, talking about myths involved with them, or how they were used throughout history. I was hugely surprised by nearly every plant listed in this book, and just how they have been used for some pretty major parts of history, like how hellebore was used to turn the tide of a pretty major historical battle, for example, or how the nectar of the angel’s trumpet flowers were used by Victorian women at teatime to get a bit drunk. Mint is even mentioned, not because it’s a poison, but because of the mythology of the plant. If you drink much from a bottle marked ‘poison’, it is almost certain to disagree with you, sooner or later.’ – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland. What you get: I’m undoubtedly a botanical gothic fan, so I’m compelled to include my newly released novel The Haunting of Willow Creek. The novel evokes a modern botanical gothic feel. Brimming with whispering willows, ghoulish paintings, and slithering roots, I intertwine ghosts, nature, and daylight horror along with a heavy dose of weeping willow folklore.

Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow Lives of Plants Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow Lives of Plants

I was surprised by most of this book. Some of these things I already knew, but even in the plants I read about that I thought I knew about, I learned unexpected things, whether it was mythology or historical usage or maybe a bit of both. It ended up being, quite frankly, one of the most illuminating plant books I’ve ever read. The accessible prose and the subject matter combined to create a book I both couldn’t put down and couldn’t stop thinking about.This book is filled with meticulous detail on plants, the history behind poisoning and how a plant used to heal can be lethal if the incorrect dose is given. Unexpected additions to this list were plants such as broad beans, hydrangea, willow and even basil. There are some truly deadly additions to this list including one that is highly restricted under the terrorism act in the UK. As well as the plants that will make your life much shorter and painful, Inkwright has included plants that have been used in folklore to curse others, such as elder, hellebore and willow.

REVIEW: Botanical Curses and Poisons: A Fascinating - WWAC REVIEW: Botanical Curses and Poisons: A Fascinating - WWAC

The A-Z layout of the plants makes for a really manageable structure, and gives the reader regular natural breaks to allow for them to reflect and absorb what they have read. But the facts and stories themselves are so interesting that you can easily read a large portion in one sitting. Poisonings are among the most memorable deaths in history, from the Roman Empire to the Medieval era and beyond. Concealed and deliberate, it’s a crime that must be planned in advance. And yet there is a fine line between healing and poisoning – Paracelsus argued that only the dosage matters! Definitely one for anybody interested in folklore and myth, as well as plant lovers. This was truly fascinating. Though I’m buried in writing of my own lately, I wanted to take a moment to share another book I’ve been reading in my down time: Botanical Curses and Poisons, The Shadow-Lives of Plants. This book is beyond beautiful, and really just looks like an ancient manuscript filled with terrible secrets. Though it may not be the best review of a book, this is one of those that you would buy even if it were blank inside just to fill your shelf with this absolutely magical eye-candy. But bonus? This book is pretty great so far! Look for a full review in the coming weeks, and in the meantime, here’s a few words from the publisher, Liminal 11. From the Publisher: Liminal 11Inkwrite takes readers on a historical and educational journey throughout the history of plants, using many of them to showcase not just their properties, but how they have been used, and their darker capabilities. And yet it was the accessible nature of his writing that captivated me almost as much as anything else. I was afraid when I bought this book that it would be full of academic jargon and heavy textbook-style prose that would put me to sleep, but what I got here were overviews of countless plants and their stories told in a style that I found surprisingly immersive rather than anything else. Added along with the line drawings in each section, and I was hooked. Plus, I must say, the production quality of this book is out of this world. I don’t typically buy physical books anymore, but this is absolutely one I’m glad I bought. It’s just gorgeous, from cover to cover. I already knew I had a few poisonous/toxic plants in my garden but I was amazed to discover the violet, which I always thought was such a happy little flower was so associated with death and the underworld. Desirable for the stunning cover and gorgeous interior illustrations alone, I wanted to include this nonfiction book about the shadow-lives of plants. Fez Inkwright gives a brief history of poisons and then includes an A-Z of the dark side of plants. It’s a handy guide that I know will be by my side for inspiration for a long time to come! Plant Your Roots in Botanical Gothic Fez Inkwright is an illustrator, author, and folklorist. Her greatest passions are botany, nature, primitive religions, and folklore, which flavor most of her work. For the past eight years she has produced work for children’s books, hand-drawn maps, and tattoo design, and now spends her time indulging in conservation work and writing. She lives in Bristol, UK, with two cats and several hundred bees. Available As: I'm not a plant aficionado. Hell, I can't keep a cactus alive. This book isn't here to shame; it's here to inspire. Okay, that may not be the healthiest thing...probably shouldn't take too much advice from this particular text. Inkwright has crafted a book that educates and entertain it's reader. There's an intriguing relationship between how writers have discussed these botanicals, how they've been used to kill (intentional and accidental), and what makes them spectacular.