The Hollow Sea: The unforgettable and mesmerising debut inspired by mythology

Description

A mesmerising literary debut interwoven with mythology and legend, from an award-winning new talent When Scottie realises she will never become a mother, she leaves her life behind and flees to the storm-lashed Hebridean archipelago of St Hia. The islands are dangerous. Many have been lost to the ferocious tides known as the Hollow Sea, and folklore tells that St Hia was once the home of a witch named Thordis - outcast for her inability to bear children, and driven to a terrible act . . . The islanders warn newcomers against examining the past, but Scottie can't look away from Thordis' story. Could St Hia's history hold the key to Scottie's future?

Annie Kirby lives on the south coast of England where she works part-time as a university researcher. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in American Studies. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and broadcast on national radio and she is a winner of the Asham Award for short fiction. Annie is a graduate of the Penguin WriteNow programme.

A bold, magical story about the letting go of long-held hope and building a different future -- Jo Browning Wroe, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Terrible Kindness Deftly structured and set against a wild, myth-inspired backdrop, the novel explores grief and violence, freedom and redemption. It's a majestic work of the imagination, with writing that shimmers before the reader, underpinned by a howling, fearless story. I loved it and woke up thinking about it -- Rosie Andrews, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Leviathan An atmospheric tale shot through with folklore. Annie Kirby's writing shimmers as she weaves together the threads of Scottie's forgotten past and her journey to face a future where she won't be the mother she always hoped to be. Beautiful & hopeful -- Kate Sawyer, Costa-shortlised author of The Stranding A beautifully written, heart-rending atmospheric novel of finding what makes one whole -- Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring This mesmerising tale has just the right amount of folklore to be magical * Good Housekeeping * An incredibly beautiful story, shot through with shimmering myth, sorrow and hope -- Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child One of those rare novels that combines a page-turning story with language to savour. A beguiling and beautiful tale about motherhood, nature and art, The Hollow Sea celebrates the many different ways we might create and nurture. -- Emma Sweeney, author of Owl Song at Dawn A thoughtful, beautiful gem of a story and I loved it -- Rebecca F. John, Costa-shortlisted author of The Haunting of Henry Twist A stunning debut, part myth and part touching story of infertility and motherhood. I was swept away on a stormy sea and didn't want it to end. Delicious storytelling -- Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green Eyed Girl A poetic tale * Prima * In The Hollow Sea, Annie Kirby has taken the external societal shaming and internal lived reality of involuntarily childless women and transformed them into an extraordinarily lyrical story. This book insinuated itself into my soul like a poem; whilst taking my mind on a mythical, allegorical adventure that lingers in my subconscious like a painting. Whether you are a parent or non-parent, this extraordinary novel will drench you in beauty. I adored it. -- Jody Day, author of Living the Life Unexpected and founder of Gateway Women A real beauty. A magical story of one woman's infertility combined with a mythical sea world. Beautiful -- Laura Price, author of Single Bald Female Beautifully written with a hint of mythology and well-drawn characters, this is a captivating story of love and loss that will stay with you * Candis * An absolutely beautiful story of love, loss, family and motherhood. Told in interweaving strands, it follows the story of Scottie whose mysterious past haunts her, and whose own struggles to become a mother is slowly destroying her . . . I read this book in just two sittings, the lyrical prose pulled me in and held me captivated, and my heart wept and sang in equal measure. Truly stunning -- Louise Morrish, author of Operation Moonlight Annie Kirby writes so beautifully about place, I felt I was there with her on the islands, watching the waves. I love how she weaves together myth and reality, and found her portrayal of Scottie and Jasminder's thwarted attempts to have children very moving -- Sarah Butler, author of Before The Fire The Hollow Sea elegantly interweaves the stories of two women haunted by hope and loss. Eloquent and moving, with a touch of folklore, this is a beautiful, hopeful tale -- Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women Heart-wrenching, haunting, and ultimately hopeful too. Extraordinary. Beautiful, thought-provoking and woven through with folklore and myth, an utterly absorbing read that will touch your heart. Magnificent. Unforgettable. -- Liz Hyder, author of The Gifts Fiercely original . . . a really powerful, provocative and original debut -- Natasha Solomons, author of I, Mona Lisa An exquisitely-crafted novel about heritage, folklore and the persistent roar of unfulfilled dreams. When I finished it, I felt like I'd emerged from the sea, dripping with salt and tangled in kelp. Dizzyingly brilliant -- Lizzie Pook, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter A Coast 'Book of the Month' * - * Incredibly atmospheric and multifaceted * Culturefly *