Imagination Prymm of Ipswich A Year and a Day

"Terrible beauty" best describes the world of Imagination Prymm. Set in 1678 Ipswich, Massachusetts, against a dark backdrop of Puritan narrowness and fear, old Imagination Prymm lives on the edge of her woods, a practicing healer and midwife, keeping close to herself and making a simple living. But her quiet world of spinning, making black silk bone lace, and growing herbs for medicine is soon torn by dark accusations of witchcraft from a troubled fourteen-year-old girl, Remember Minter. Questioned by magistrates and forced to defend herself, Goody Prymm is ultimately exonerated, the lying girl sentenced to be her helpmeet through the spring. This proves to be a boon for them both, as their experiences together lead them into a deep and loving relationship, something both desperately need, each drawing strength from the other. Like two candles that gleam most brightly in the darkest of corners, Imagination and Remember find their light in the darkness of the times simply by opening themselves to love.

Nancy Duncan, after retiring from teaching secondary English for 34 years, decided to practice what she preached, Imagination Prymm of Ipswich, A Year and a Day being a reflection of not only her writing and literary knowledge, but also her years of hands-on learning and burning curiosity for early Colonial life, a curiosity born after visiting Colonial Williamsburg as a child and flowering into a decades-long passion for growing herbs and studying their historical medicinal and dyeing properties, as well as their folklore. Her mother was also a dynamic influence regarding this era, she being a gardener and practitioner of the fiber arts, such as lacemaking, embroidery of all kinds, and quilting. When Nancy retired from teaching, she, too, finally found the time to immerse herself in pursuits uniquely Colonial, such as spinning wool and flax, natural dyeing, Black Work, early sampler embroidery, and bone lace (bobbin lace), all of which are integral parts of her book. Nancy also has a passion for travel, having been an Army brat growing up. She has traveled to twenty-two countries, and hopes to visit more after the world heals. Her other interests include yoga, reading, and collecting and studying early antiques.