Weyward by Emilia Hart
Emilia Hart’s Weyward
The stories of three women living in three different centuries – one on trial for witchcraft, one caged in her home during World War II and one trying to escape the bonds of an abusive relationship in the present day – form the narrative backbone of Weyward, Emilia Hart’s stunning debut novel.
Altha Weyward, Violet Ayre and Kate Ayre are related by blood: they are all Weyward women. And Weyward women have magic powers.
Altha’s mother taught her how to use her magic. Violet and Kate do not know about the powers they inherited. But they will have to learn, if they want to fight back against the men (lovers, fathers) determined to subjugate and possibly even murder them.
Once I started this novel I could not put it down. It’s not just the beautiful tapestry of the narrative; it’s Emilia’s lyrical writing. Every sentence crackles with life.
And every page deepens the mystery. Will Altha be found guilty of witchcraft? If so, a terrible death awaits her. Violet’s mother was declared mad, locked away and then murdered. A similar fate could await Violet and Kate, if they do not discover and use their secret powers before it’s too late.
I initially borrowed the audio book version of Weyward from the Toronto Public Library. I loved it so much I bought my own hard copy, so I could read and re-read it often. I mention the audio book however, because if your public library has a copy or if you subscribe to an audio content service, hearing the book is a wonderful way to experience it. Three different women narrate, and it’s a delight to listen to them embody the different voices of Altha, Violet and Kate.
Emilia singles out Alias Grace and the Booker Prize winning The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood as two of the novels that inspired Weyward. I can see why. And if you too are drawn to novels that weave together mystery, history, magic and the resilience of women, you’ll love Weyward.
Emilia’s next novel, The Sirens, will be released in Canada on April 1. I can hardly wait to read it.