Summary

The Book of Irene begins in 1886 in Wales with Irene, Ursule’s daughter, doing her chores. Ursule found work on a large estate in Wales called The Grange, where she and Irene are farm laborers. Irene sees Blodwyn Hughes, an upper class lady, pass by on her horse and this causes her to feel angry and bitter over her station in life. She goes inside the small house she shares with her mother and they begin to argue. Irene says she hates the work they have to do on the estate, while Ursule reminds her that she would hate starving more and that she, Ursule, came to The Grange with nothing but the horse Aramis and the scrying stone. Irene does not understand why her mother will not use the craft to improve their lot in life. Irene wants...