LoveReading Says
Liz Hyder of children's book Bearmouth fame, blows us away again in her first book for adults.
This gripping fantasy opens in 1840 in a forest in Shropshire as Etta cries with searing pain ripping through her shoulders and she turns to see her winged silhouette. Meanwhile in London, a fallen angel is dragged from the river fuelling rumours of the Angel of the Thames, an ancient prophecy of doom.
Told through five different perspectives in a vivid Victorian setting, the novel is mesmerising and explores science, nature, love, religion, power and the role of women. We follow the lives of four remarkable women, women who fight to be granted the freedom to imagine, to learn, to expand their minds. They all struggle in some way to be recognised for their talents and fight tradition and entitlement in their own way.
Renowned and ruthless surgeon Edward Meake forms the other perspective as he becomes obsessed with the angels hoping they will be the answer to fame and fortune. We see his fall from grace believing he is serving science and God’s will.
If you love magical realism and historical fiction, then you will absolutely adore this book, it's an unputdownable triumph. A Star Book without a doubt. The beautiful words linger long after turning the final page.
Deborah Maclaren
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The Gifts Synopsis
The luminous debut adult novel from the Waterstones Prize Winner, perfect for fans of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, The Essex Serpent and The Doll Factory
In an age defined by men, it will take something extraordinary to show four women who they truly are . . .
October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders.
Meanwhile, when rumours of a 'fallen angel' cause a frenzy across London, a surgeon desperate for fame and fortune finds himself in the grip of a dangerous obsession, one that will place the women he seeks in the most terrible danger . . .
THE GIFTS is the astonishing debut adult novel from the lauded author of BEARMOUTH. A gripping and ambitious book told through five different perspectives and set against the luminous backdrop of nineteenth century London, it explores science, nature and religion, enlightenment, the role of women in society and the dark danger of ambition.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781786580757 |
| Publication date: |
1st September 2022 |
| Author: |
Liz Hyder |
| Publisher: |
Manilla Press an imprint of Bonnier Books Ltd |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
476 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Historical Fiction
|
| Recommendations: |
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Liz Hyder Press Reviews
Haunting, thrilling, wonderful. I loved it. - Stacey Halls
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
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, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose
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
Haunting, magical, wonderful. At once a dark cautionary tale of unchecked ambition, and a sparkling story of love, loyalty and friendship. - Joanne Burn, The Hemlock Cure
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
Stunning. A compulsive page turning adventure packed with everything I love in a book. Intrigue, adventure, rich descriptions, and difficult women. - Ericka Waller
The Gifts instantly became one of my all time favourite books. It was everything I want in a novel: full, flawed characters, a hint of something magical, angst, the filth and strangeness of Victorian Britain, that ruthless consideration of the female body and who has agency over it. I just loved it. - Rebecca F. John
A beautiful and powerful feminist parable. - Mimi Thebo
A hugely satisfying read. Wonderfully imagined. Deep reading pleasure. So many people will love this book - Nicola Davies
A heartbreaking yet hugely hopeful story of the power of wings, both real and metaphorical. - Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child
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