THE BOOK OF GOTHEL

Everyone knows the story of Rapunzel in her tower, but do you know the story of the witch who put her there? Mary McMyne’s spellbinding debut, rich with historical detail and forbidden magic, reveals the truth behind the fairy tales—the truth only a witch could tell. 

“The Book of Gothel launches its magic from a most reliable source: the troubled heart. Mary McMyne is a magician.”—Gregory Maguire, NYT bestselling author of Wicked

Praise for The Book of Gothel

“Deftly [weaves] Haelewise’s story into real history, making her feel like an actual person… I found myself rooting for her even though I knew that Haelewise turned into the rapunzel-hoarding witch in the end.” — People Magazine

“A sprawling epic, full of magic, love and heartbreak.”—Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

“A luscious origin story.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Impeccably researched and rooted in the instantly recognizable ‘fairytale country’ of medieval Germany… making the past seem like a place of magic and mystery.”—British Fantasy Society

“Masterfully weaves fantastical elements into the historical backdrop of medieval Germany. A page-turner… ”—Historical Novel Society

“A sumptuous blend of folklore and historical fiction… fiercely feminist.”—Starburst Magazine

“Superbly crafted… a haunting origin story.”—BookPage

“A brilliant addition to the genre.” —Library Journal

“This gorgeous, feminist retelling of ‘Rapunzel’ immediately captivates… Readers of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden will adore this new fairytale fantasy.” — BuzzFeed Books

“One of our favorite kind of multi-layered fictions: it offers both a 12th century woman’s memoir and the story of the modern-day scholar who finds and translates it… utterly inventive.” —Sustainable Arts Foundation

“Compulsively readable historical fantasy.”— Grimdark Magazine

“For lovers of villain origin stories! This retelling of Rapunzel is both original, female-centered, and includes historical aspects of Germany, like its lore, paganism, and Saint Hildegard.”—BookRiot

“Both gently and fiercely told, The Book of Gothel is a sweeping, sharp story of how history twists into fairytale and back again.” –Hannah F. Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf and For the Throne

“A spell-binding debut.”— Signe Pike, author of The Lost Queen and The Forgotten Kingdom

“Heartfelt and vividly imagined.”—Emily Croy Barker, author of The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic

“Certain stories endure because of their beauty, wonder, and wisdom. The Book of Gothel is such a novel—one that will hold readers in delighted thrall right to the startling end.” –Ronlyn Domingue, author of The Mercy of Thin Air and the Keeper of Tales Trilogy

“A gut-punch of a fantasy novel—I found myself completely enraptured by this story within a story, and even more taken by the end, which I totally didn’t see coming. Gothel feels both familiar and like a completely original fairy tale, and I was moved by the Jewish representation. This is Rapunzel like you’ve never seen her before.” —Rena Rossner, author of The Sisters of the Winter Wood

“The fairy tale retelling I never knew I needed. Rooted in history, The Book of Gothel highlights the relationships between women and the ways in which we both help and hinder each other in the name of love and loyalty. Haelewise will be in my heart for a very long time.”–Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart

“An intelligent spin on a well-loved fairy tale.”—Rowenna Miller, author of Torn

“Sparkles with the intermingled magic of gods and goddesses, seers and wisewomen.” –Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

“Fable and history rhyme in McMyne’s captivating vision of a medieval past steeped in women’s magic and bound by women’s love.” –Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of the Olympus Bound trilogy