Victoria Catherine Shaw's Reviews > Bright I Burn

Bright I Burn is the second novel by Molly Aitken. It tells the story of Alice Kyteler, the first recorded person in Ireland to have been formally charged with witchcraft. Given both the subject matter and the fact that I loved Aitken's debut novel, The Island Child, I had a feeling that I was going to really enjoy this book and, happily, that turned out to be the case.

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In a market that is saturated with witchtrial stories, Bright I Burn manages to be both compelling and genuinely distinctive. Unlike a lot of similarly themed books, the witchtrial aspect of Bright I Burn comes quite late in the story, meaning that it's Alice and her life rather than the accusations that are leveled against her that take centre stage. That coupled with Aitken's lyrical writing and her depiction of Alice as morally complicated (to say the least) make Bright I Burn a definite standout in the genre.

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At the heart of Alice's story is the relationship between womanhood and power. In Alice, Aitken creates a capable and conniving protagonist, often reduced to her gender by the limitations of the time. It's a story as old as time but one that has undeniable relevance in today's world where reproductive rights are under fire and graduating women are told that their life will only truly start when they get married and have children.

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Bright I Burn is beautifully written, well-researched and nuanced, exploring the exercise of personal morality in the context of the broader societal injustices that arguably necessitate immorality. Alice is not always a likeable or sympathetic character, and Aitken doesn't give any easy answers, but her story is one that will get you thinking. I'd highly recommend ordering yourself a copy, particularly if you're as interested in the witchtrials as I am - this isn't one you'll want to miss out on!

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Bright I Burn will be published on the 6th June 2024. Thank you to @molly.aitken and @canongatebooks for the advance review copy.

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