Molly Aitken was born in Scotland and raised in Ireland, her ongoing fascination with Celtic myth and history informs this vivid reimagining of the life of Alice Kyteler, the first woman in Ireland to be condemned for witchcraft. Set in Ireland during the 13th century, it’s mainly presented from Alice’s perspective, interspersed by a chorus of townspeople’s voices. Alice lives in the monastic town of Kilkenny where her father’s position as innkeeper and moneylender has set her family apart, both envied and despised. When her father dies Alice’s forced to marry in order to take over his business, but the marriage ends in disaster, the others that follow.

Aitken’s beautifully-observed narrative’s lyrical but never sentimental. Aitken uses Alice’s experiences to explore the plight of powerful, ambitious women in an era of misogyny, where a woman could be lawfully killed if suspected of adultery. It’s a medieval society caught between the old ways – in which witches and cunning folk were an acceptable feature - and rising forces within the Catholic church, resulting in clashes between the secular and the religious. Aitken brings in hints of Salem with her references to local bakeries’ mould-ridden bread known to provoke mania and delusions. But, un conventional stories of witchcraft and persecution, Alice isn’t portrayed as a blameless victim of patriarchy. Instead, she’s a far more complex figure, often far from able: her scheming and morally dubious actions stemming from her desperation to find some way of navigating the spaces between personal, bodily desires and what’s expected of a woman and a wife, it’s a refreshing perspective. Although there were moments when my attention wandered, I found this a surprisingly compulsive, haunting piece.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Canongate for an ARC

Rating: 3.5contemporary-fiction netgalley-arc31 s Sarah Reads131 6

Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken is based on the story of the first recorded woman in Ireland to be condemned as a witch. Alice Kyteler is bright and brave and refuses to submit to a patriarchal society. She carves her own path and pays the price.

Bright I Burn is emotional and eye-opening. Alice is just the first in many similar stories throughout history. I found her to be an unapologetically strong character, determined to make her own happiness no matter what others thought.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for early access to read Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken in exchange for an honest review.8 s Latasha1,322 415

When i saw this book was about a woman accused of witchcraft, I was all for it! Thankfully my request to read it from NetGalley was granted. When i got comfy to read this, i did read it in big chunks at a time. So i loved it right? Well, not exactly. Alice was a difficult character to and to sympathize with. At points, the dialogue and storytelling became almost dream and hard to follow her train of thought. The story is more of her life and only at the end is accusations of witchcraft brought up. The book isn't what i was expecting.books-i-own history re-tellings4 s Anna Bailey57

I'm not sure "fun" is the right word to use to describe the time I had while reading this, but it's the closest I can get.

Learning about real life Alice Kyteler felt looking into my past, present, future self; felt learning about my ancestors, and the ancestors of others. It was sad, terrifying, joyful, and insistent.

Molly's writing took a little getting used to, but it felt reminiscent to how I felt reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell and Weyward by Emilia Hart.

I'll probably think about this book for the rest of my life!

*I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.netgalley3 s Samantha118 4

Now this is the type of feminism I can read all day. After finishing the book, I did look up more information about Alice. The things she and her servants were accused of were insane. Molly Aitken's thorough research shines through and she did a great job giving a voice to a woman who was lost to history. 


Thank you to Netgalley as well as Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this arcnetgalley3 s Gabi Price12 1 follower

Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken is an extraordinary novel that weaves a rich tapestry of myth, magic, and raw human emotion. Aitken's storytelling prowess is on full display as she crafts a narrative that is as enchanting as it is profound.

The novel follows the journey of Rós, a young woman who finds herself entangled in the ancient, mystical traditions of her homeland. Aitken's ability to blend folklore with contemporary issues is seamless, creating a world that feels both timeless and utterly relevant. The prose is lush and evocative, painting vivid images that linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.

What truly sets Bright I Burn apart is its depth of character development. Rós is a compelling protagonist whose growth is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each bringing their own unique perspectives and adding layers of complexity to the story.

Aitken's exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, and the power of storytelling is handled with great sensitivity and insight. The novel resonates on a deeply emotional level, making it a powerful read that stays with you.

In summary, Bright I Burn is a masterfully crafted novel that captivates from beginning to end. Molly Aitken has delivered a stunning work of fiction that is sure to appeal to fans of literary fiction and fantasy a. Highly recommended!

Thank you Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the advanced readers copy!2 s Victoria Catherine Shaw145 5

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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