Sheffield-based author and PhD student Molly Aitken marked International Women’s Day with the launch of her latest novel, Bright I Burn.
The event on Thursday evening featured a discussion on women’s representation in literature, followed by a reading from the novel.
Set in Ireland, Bright I Burn follows the life of the first woman in the country to be accused of witchcraft, shedding light on the struggles women have faced throughout history.
Ms Aitken said: “The book is quite conflicting for readers as she’s quite an unlikeable character because she’s a really powerful woman who can state her mind.”
Aitken’s novel has already been met with critical acclaim. The novel launched in June 2024 and has since won a BBC Best Book of 2024 award, as well as being featured on The New York Times’ ‘What to Read’ list.
“So many women have been looking for books with more female rage in them, and I think we need to, as women, embrace our anger more,” Ms Aitken added.
She explained how she had to rewrite the history of this woman to challenge the misogynistic view of her in historical records.
“It was heavy to write about. I think women need to listen to our anger, as we are oppressed in different ways. I felt a sense of responsibility to balance truth and history.”
International Women’s Day is this Saturday, and Ms Aitken’s book aims to highlight the importance of powerful women in history.
The author is currently working on a new book in a similar style, which she hopes to publish soon.