The Mandrake Broom

In this ambitious and far-reaching new historical novel, The Mandrake Broom, Wells dramatizes one woman's courageous fight to save medical knowledge during the witch-burning era. Set in Europe in 1465-1540, The Mandrake Broom follows Luccia Alimenti as she fights the forces that attempt to keep medical knowledge out of the hands of women. Daughter of a medical professor at the University of Salerno, Italy, Luccia is destined to carry ancient texts and herbal lore into the dangerous and groundbreaking future. Meet: Luccia Alimenti, daughter of a medical professor at the University of Salerno, Italy, destined to carry ancient texts and herbal lore into the dangerous and ground-breaking future. Fiona, her Irish godmother, who tries to protect Luccia and forge a family while struggling with epilepsy and grief. Marcelle, a hunter and co-conspirator as they are pushed to the brink and take up arms for revenge. Theo Paracelsus, father of modern chemistry, a brilliant eunuch and addict who works with Luccia to forge a bridge between the new and old medicines. The Mandrake Broom is based on extensive research of historical sources, herbal remedies and the medicines of the time.