Aitken's story of a strong, crafty, fearless woman in 1200s Ireland is based upon the real figure of Alice Kyteler, whose power and wealth threatened the men in her community so deeply, she was the first woman in that country to be condemned as a witch.
Molly Aitken's historical fiction Bright I Burn is based on the true story of a woman in Ireland whose professional and personal power threatened the men in her community so much, she was the first woman in that country to be condemned as a witch.
In 13th-century Ireland, Alice Kyteler witnesses her mother's difficult domestic life and lack of autonomy, and she swears she will find a way to take more control of her own life.
She's well aware that women in the 1200s aren't allowed much freedom, and she must wrest her power from her father, her husbands, and her limiting society. A powerful woman is resented and feared, and threatening accusations begin to fly regarding how Alice earns so much money and how her deceased husbands met their maker.
Alice is far from innocent, but Aitken builds a sympathetic case for her fight for power--if not the poison she keeps on hand in case her husbands must be dealt with. I loved Alice's awakened, consuming passion; her deep devotion to Roger, one of her husband's brothers and a childhood friend; her scheming; her adjustment to her ever-changing circumstances; and her doting love for her son.
I had a difficult time with the pacing of the book; it felt as though it drifted somewhat, but I was completely taken by the day-in-the-life details Aitken included of this time and place and by Alice's fight for autonomy.
The repeated strings of quotes that introduce each chapter--presumably from others in the community--offer a wonderfully powerful burst of gossip, resentment, supposition, and increasing momentum that is chilling to witness, while those who would be Alice's undoing (in particular, a priest who fears Alice's influence and freedom) creep closer to putting her under their thumbs.
I received a prepublication edition of this book, which was published September 10, courtesy of Knopf and NetGalley.
I'd love to hear your Bossy thoughts on this book!
Molly Aitken is also the author of The Island Child.
You can find more Bossy reviews of books set in Ireland here; and please click here for some favorite historical fiction reads.
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