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The Gifts

The award-winning historical novel about women who sprout wings - for fans of THE BINDING and THE MERMAID AND MRS HANCOCK

Liz Hyder author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Bonnier Books Ltd

Published:1st Sep '22

Should be back in stock very soon

The Gifts cover

The narrative of The Gifts weaves together the lives of four women as they confront societal expectations and personal transformations in 1840s London.

Set in October 1840, The Gifts follows a young woman who mysteriously finds herself alone in a Shropshire forest, where she undergoes a surreal transformation as enormous wings tear from her shoulders. This extraordinary event sparks a frenzy in London, where rumors of a 'fallen angel' captivate the public and draw the attention of a fame-hungry surgeon. His obsession with discovering the truth behind these rumors puts the lives of the women he seeks in grave danger, intertwining their fates in unexpected ways.

The narrative of The Gifts unfolds through five distinct perspectives, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that delve into themes of science, nature, religion, and the role of women in society during the Victorian era. The author's vivid prose and meticulous historical detail create an immersive world that challenges societal norms and explores the dark side of ambition. Each character's journey reveals the complexities of motherhood, art, and feminism, making the story both haunting and thought-provoking.

As the characters navigate their intertwined destinies, The Gifts serves as a powerful commentary on female empowerment and the struggles faced by women in a patriarchal society. The novel's blend of magical realism and historical fiction captivates readers, inviting them to reflect on the extraordinary capabilities of women when faced with adversity. This debut adult novel promises to linger in the minds of its readers long after the last page is turned.

Haunting, thrilling, wonderful. I loved it. * Stacey Halls *
Liz Hyder won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for the brilliantly original Bearmouth, and The Gifts is just as impressive - an imaginative, extraordinary flight of fancy firmly grounded in the grim realities of Victorian England. Brimming with historical detail and beautifully written, the soulful prose soars. It's an insightful, mysterious read celebrating female friendship and solidarity. * Daily Express *
Fierce and touching... a beautiful, riveting novel suffused with luminous magic against the grimy backdrop of 19th century London. Wild female power clashes with dark scientific ambition in this compelling story. * Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne *
An extraordinary weaving together of the lives of four women. One is an artist who loves the names of colours, another a botanist who loves the shapes of plants. One of its fascinations is the blend of myth and magic, city and country, urban and wild. There are threads that spin a yarn and make this book a page turning success. For any who loved The Essex Serpent, this is one that will sing to your soul. For myself, I found it to be a dream of a book, one that I could lose myself in and escape from these curious times we live in. There's a darkness to it also, but also a fierce light, passion. It is utterly absorbing. * Jackie Morris, The Lost Words *
A stirring tale of female empowerment, full of vivid imagery and evocative settings. The Gifts' scope is impressive and it's sure to win Hyder new fans and, quite possibly, another film deal. * Observer *
I devoured The Gifts, eager to find out the fate of its wonderfully drawn characters. A wonderful, atmospheric book that immersed me in the dirty streets of nineteenth century London and swept me away to the hills of Shropshire. A real gem. * Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City *
From the moment the Thames gave up its astonishing secret, I was transfixed by this fantastical tale of winged women and their quest for liberation in the face of science turned into dark obsession. A deliciously intriguing mix of moral bankruptcy and resilience, with a captivating female friendship at its heart. * Sonia Velton *
An extraordinary novel-resonant, propulsive, and utterly absorbing. Once I'd picked it up, I truly couldn't put it down-I didn't want to leave Liz Hyder's vividly realised world, and I cannot wait to follow wherever she takes us next. * Katie Lowe, author of The Furies *
Bewitching. Lovers of Neo-Victorian fiction will be spellbound by this tale, taking flight on the wings of Hyder's addictive words. * Essie Fox *
I loved The Gifts. Brilliant storytelling, magical realism, historical fiction that discusses feminism, religion, art and motherhood. Shades of Angela Carter and fans of Elizabeth MacNeal will enjoy it too. * Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding *
Full of rich historical detail, magic and romance,The Gifts is simply delightful. Engrossing and fresh and unusual in the best possible way, I really, truly adored it. * Kirsty Capes, author of CARELESS *
A heartbreaking yet hugely hopeful story of the power of wings, both real and metaphorical. * Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child *
A stunning book. It's both beautifully written and illustrated, but with a stark, uncompromising uncovering of inhumanity, zealous greed and ambition, so that it lingers in the reader's mind long after it's finished. Liz Hyder's prose is richly textured with an intensity and a feminism that is both captivating and thrilling to read. I found myself holding my breath at times as the threads of the story drew together so superbly. Liz Hyder's writing really is magnificent. There may be aspects of The Gifts that are almost surreal, but they are presented with such convincing storytelling that I believed every word. I was drawn inexorably into the narrative and completely bewitched by it. I didn't so much read this book as live it with the characters. * My Weekly *

ISBN: 9781786580757

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 28mm

Weight: 371g

512 pages