Although both phrases evoke wonderful images and lead the readers in different directions, they could be combined to make a tighter phrase. Months of clouded breath and I blow and see my breath roll out say the same thing in different ways.

But, as her critics have said, detail can also slow down the pace of the story. I blow and see my breath roll out and I think – look. It's been months, I think, of snowing – of bluish ice, and cold.

From the little window, I can see it snows. There is no doubt that Fletcher understands how to write to the senses and pay attention to detail. Some people feel she's written the most beautiful book they've ever read, while others feel it's too long and the attention to detail slows the pace too much. Susan Fletcher's prose seems to evoke polarized opinions among other reviewers. I followed up my reading with a quick check of Wikipedia to learn more about the event and was please to see that Fletcher had remained true to the history. I loved what she had to say about prejudice, especially religious prejudice, and I enjoyed learning about the Massacre of Glencoe. What I liked most about Susan Fletcher's novel is the history behind it. She had to go to the Scottish highlands to find people willing to accept her and to embrace her gifts. Since doctor and witch were synonyms, Corrag found herself in situations where she would help heal someone's loved one, only to be chased through the woods by witch hunters. During that period, prayer was the only acceptable method of curing disease or treating wounds. Corrag is a loner, of course, but her biggest crime is healing. I had a picture in my head of a number of misunderstood loners who paid the price for the prejudices of the day. But prior to reading Corrag (also released with the title The Highland Witch) I never considered why women were labeled as witches. The burning of women labeled as witches is a part of human history that is a horrendous travesty of justice.

The Highland Witch by Susan Fletcher