Sheffield Hallam PhD student marks international women’s day with new book

Sheffield-based author and former Sheffield Hallam University student Molly Aitken marked International Women’s Day with the launch of her latest novel, Bright I Burn.

The event, held on Thursday evening, featured a discussion on women’s representation in literature, followed by a reading from the novel.

Aitken, who completed her undergraduate studies in English and Classics in Galway, is now pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing and History at Sheffield Hallam University.

Aitken has gone on to carve out a successful career in writing. Her new novel, Bright I Burn, published in June 2024, explores the life of the first woman in Ireland to be accused of witchcraft, shedding light on the historical struggles women have faced.

Molly 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.”

Since its release last year, Bright I Burn has earned significant praise, winning a BBC Best Book of 2024 award and securing a place on The New York Times’ ‘What to Read’ list.

Speaking about her novel’s themes, Aitken highlighted the importance of embracing female anger and challenging traditional narratives.

Molly said: “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.”

Aitken explained that she rewrote elements of her protagonist’s life to challenge the misogynistic view presented in historical records. “It was heavy to write about,” she added. “I felt a sense of responsibility to balance truth and history.”

Aitken hopes her book will inspire readers to reflect on the power and ambition of women throughout history.

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“Medieval women are often pictured as really oppressed, but that is not always the case,” she said. “I think this book is a way of showing women that they can be more ambitious and ruthless, and that’s something to celebrate.”

The author is currently working on her next book, which she hopes to publish soon.

Featured image via @molly.aitken on Instagram