This is a multicast program. "A spellbinding story about what may transpire when the natural world collides with a legacy of witchcraft." —Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary "Narrators Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow are a magical, moving trio. Their emotional and expressive performance of the parallel narratives ranges from touching and timid to tense and twisting."- Library Journal I am a Weyward, and wild inside. 2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century. 1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom. 1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom. Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world. A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
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"Beautifully written and intricate as a spider's web, Weyward weaves an intergenerational tale of sorrow, love, and strength. Though separated by decades or even centuries, these three Weyward women—Altha, Violet, and Kate—are each other's heritage and legacy, and the power they each possess pays tribute to the connections between women, nature, and family."
— Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters
“Hart links the three stories very cleverly in this entertaining read about witchcraft, maternal ties, and the power of the natural world.”
— The Times (London)“A riveting journey of family secrets, betrayal, and resilience.”
— Zibby Magazine“A satisfying, well-plotted historical page turner and a welcome addition to the feminist field of ‘witcherature.’”
— BookPage"A triumphant debut...the magic harnessed by the characters feels completely real in this captivating outing.
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)Tension and suspense are skillfully maintained as these women seek to extricate themselves from dire circumstances and discover secret strength. The result is a tale of magic and female empowerment and an atmospheric, gripping read.
— BooklistGripping...Thoughtful and at times harrowing, this novel is a successful blend of historical fiction and modern feminism.
— KirkusHart evokes a powerful sense of place in each of the narratives, and elicits mystery and a rich atmosphere at every turn. A brave and original debut, Weyward is a spellbinding story about what may transpire when the natural world collides with a legacy of witchcraft.
— Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost ApothecaryA totally unique debut that shines a light on the female experience. I loved it.
— Gillian McAllister, New York Times bestselling author of Wrong Place Wrong TimeWeyward spans three women's lives in three different centuries, connected by blood and one very unique gift. The writing's beautiful, the women are wonderful, and each narrative is as compelling as the next. Alive, vivid, gripping. Real magic.
— Abigail Dean, New York Times bestselling author of Girl AA very poignant story of female endurance and hidden power, humming with a sly, exhilarating magic.
— Bridget Collins, Sunday Times bestselling authorAn utterly absorbing page turner. Emilia Hart has written a brilliant story of the strength, resilience and power of three women spanning decades, against a stunning backdrop of the frailty and beauty of nature. This is an outstanding debut and worthy of all the stars.
— Abi Daré, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl With the Louding VoiceScuttling with insects and dripping with dark magic, this book got its claws into me and simply refused to let go. An astonishingly accomplished debut, it is beguiling, absorbing and exquisitely rendered, with prose as finely-crafted as a dragonfly's wing. With Weyward, Emilia Hart bursts onto the literary scene with a howl of feminist rage.
— Lizzie Pook, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's DaughterEmilia Hart grew up in Australia and studied English Literature at university before training as a lawyer. Weyward is her debut and was deemed “highly commended” by the Caledonia First Novel Prize.
Aysha Kala is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.
Penny Parkes lives in the Cotswolds. She has appeared at literary festivals around the country and has written for The Telegraph as well as extensively in her local media. She is very active on social media.