THE BOOK OF GOTHEL

Everyone knows the tale of Rapunzel in her tower, but do you know the story of the witch who put her there?

“Smart, swift, sure-footed and fleet-winged, 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

“McMyne’s shimmering debut gives a fresh, exciting backstory to one of the most famous villains in fairy tale lore: the witch who put Rapunzel in her tower… The result is a sprawling epic, full of magic, love, and heartbreak. Fans of Circe and The Wolf and the Woodsman will devour this taut, empowering fairy tale.”—Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

“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 and a real pleasure to read.” —Sustainable Arts Foundation

“An inventive retelling of a classic tale that pulls you deep into the wild woods of medieval Germany. The Book of Gothel is a spell-binding debut.”— Signe Pike, author of The Lost Queen and The Forgotten Kingdom

“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

“Mary McMyne’s The Book of Gothel is 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

“This is 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

“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

“The Book of Gothel delivers an intelligent spin on a well-loved fairy tale, the rich historical detail deftly woven with folktale magic and thoughtful characterisation.”—Rowenna Miller, author of Torn

“The Book of Gothel is wonderfully rich with historical detail, and sparkles with the intermingled magic of gods and goddesses, seers and wisewomen. Haelewise is a memorable heroine, worthy of legend. Readers will see the story of Rapunzel in a new and refreshing light.” –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

“A fresh reimagining of the story of Rapunzel’s witch… Readers who have enjoyed Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked Years” series will find McMyne’s perspective delightful.” —Library Journal