"Molly Aitken gives a powerful voice to Alice Kyteler, weaving a haunting and lyrical story from the strands of history. This was a beautiful, fascinating novel about an extraordinary woman that will linger in readers' memories for a long time after they finish it."
--Jennifer Saint, author of Atalanta "An astonishing second novel after her brilliant debut, Molly Aitken takes Alice Kyteler--the first woman condemned as a witch in Ireland--and breathes life into a woman as gentle as a candle's flame, and as destructive as an inferno. Lyrical and wildly imaginative, readers will love and fear Alice in equal measure and remember her story long after they've finished the last page."
--Megan Barnard, author of Jezebel "This is lustrous elemental writing, full of rich earth, smouldering flames and roiling waters--which left me gasping for air. It consumed me like a fire."
--Katie Hale, author of The Edge of Solitude "Exciting and triumphant . . . There's poetry here, in this lyrical, deeply human, fiercely feminist story. A book that burns brighter than even its title suggests."
--Nydia Hetherington, author of A Girl Made of Air "Aitken's beguiling lyricism reminds us of the deeper truths that linger in the shadows of the riverbank, at the edge of the woods."
--Karen Powell, author of Fifteen Wild Decembers "Bright, bold and riotous . . . The prose is distinct and memorable from an author who is unafraid to breathe life and humanity into history and legend."
--Sophie Parkes, author of Out of Human Sight "A story of power and destruction, that surprised me at every turn . . . We need narratives like these, which bring the past to life in new ways and challenge us to think differently about women and their influence."
--India Rakusen, producer "Extraordinary . . . Some of the best prose I've read."
--Elaine Feeney, author of How to Build a Boat
"A gorgeous, blazing novel, that makes history crackle to life. Fans of Maggie O'Farrell's
Hamnet or A.K. Blakemore's
The Manningtree Witches will love Aitken's complex, sensual anti-heroine."
--Clare Pollard, author of Delphi "A lushly fevered tale of marriage, murder and moneylending . . . Haunting and powerful."
--Jane Healey, author of The Beantown Girls "An incandescent story, ablaze with the passion and determination of a woman centuries ahead of her time."
--Polly Crosby, author of The Book of Hidden Wonders "Spellbinding . . . A stunning rendition of one fierce Irish woman's voice pitted against the patriarchal power constructs of Medieval Ireland."
--Anya Bergman, author of The Witches of Vardø
"Aitken is a distinct, singular, stunning voice in historical fiction, and
Bright I Burn is a triumph. It took my breath away."
--Jenny Mustard, author of Okay Days
"I was captivated. Every sentence reads like poetry. A stunning, magical, beguiling book."
--Huma Qureshi, author of Playing Games
"Beautifully told, full of passion and fire, Aitken evokes a vivid sense of time and place through her powerful depiction of a woman determined to maintain her position in a society driven by men. Stunning."
--Jenny Quintana, author of Missing Girl
"Darkly atmospheric, this beautiful novel transported me straight to Medieval Ireland."
--Haleh Agar, author of Out of Touch "Gripping, poetic, a glorious story of a remarkable woman's passion and her revenge."
--Louisa Reid, author of The Poet
