Weyward, written by Emilia Hart

Weyward by Emilia Hart, published this year by St. Martin’s Publishing Group and received from Jonathan Ball Publishers, is a stunning debut novel spanning centuries and tackling several topics, including the cyclical struggle of women under patriarchal control through the ages, on the one hand, and the transformative power of the natural world, on the other hand. What resonated most with me, however, was the celebration of female power and perseverance, the value of deep connections with nature, and the power of breaking free.

Hart skilfully weaves together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries to create enthralling narratives based on the resilience of three strong-willed English women and their healing power derived from their intimate knowledge of plants and their unique connection with the natural world.

Using different timelines dating back to the 17th century, Weyward recounts the story of three Weyward female family members. In 1619 Lancaster, a young healer, Altha Weyward, is on trial for witchcraft, accused of causing the death of a farmer who was stampeded by his herd. With the healing powers she learned from her mother, Altha poses a dangerous threat to the male-dominated status quo.

Jumping to 1942 and amid WWII, we meet Violet Ayres, a 16-year-old trapped at Orton Hall near the village of Crows Beck. She spends her days collecting insects and climbing trees rather than becoming the decorous lady her father expects her to be. Straitjacketed by societal convention, Violet longs for a chance at the education her brother’s maleness affords him and pines after her late mother. The only traces Violet has of her mother are a locket bearing the initial W and the word "weyward” scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

Finally, there is 29-year-old Kate Ayres, who, in 2019, flees from her abusive boyfriend when she discovers that she is pregnant and lands in a small cottage in Crows Beck, Cumbria, which she inherited from her great aunt. In the ancient little house, she discovers letters and documents revealing the history and unique powers of her female ancestors.

Verifiably unputdownable, Weyward is told skilfully as Hart spins a complicated, clever web, creating tension and suspense and miring her characters in various dire circumstances. She also weaves it together superbly with beautiful character arcs as the women are forced to overcome their fears and discover their secret strength in order to set themselves free. Indeed, it is a magical tale of female empowerment, a gripping and satisfying read.