Sycorax

A Novel

Nydia Hetherington

A captivating reimagining of the life lived by the powerful witch Sycorax before her banishment to the island in William Shakespeare's The Tempest

Born of the sun and moon, shaped by fire and malady, comes a young woman whose story has never been told...

They call her Sycorax. Seer. Sage. Sorceress.

Outcast by society and all alone in the world, Sycorax must find a way to understand her true nature. But as her powers begin to grow, so too do the suspicions of the local townspeople. For knowledge can be dangerous, and a woman's knowledge is the most dangerous of all...

With a great storm brewing on the horizon, Sycorax finds herself in increasing peril - but will her powers save her, or will they spell the end for them all? Find out in this gripping and vivid narrative exploration of one of literature's most mysterious figures.

Originally from Leeds, Nydia Hetherington moved to London in her twenties to embark on an acting career. Later she moved to Paris where she studied at the Jacques Lecoq Theatre School before creating her own theatre company. When she returned to London, she completed a creative writing degree at Birkbeck and is the author of A Girl Made of Air.

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Endorsements & Reviews

"SYCORAX is the bold and deeply moving origin tale of the ‘foul witch’ and mother of Caliban in The Tempest. From the briefest of references, Hetherington breathes new life into the ‘blue-eyed hag’ of Shakespeare’s imagination. What is a witch? Hetherington shows us: a child born with a deep affinity for the birds, the sea, winds and the natural world; a girl brimming with compassion but afflicted with a malady that marks her as an outsider. A young woman who defies convention and lives as she chooses. This is a beautifully written tale of otherness and becoming, which charms and beguiles in equal measure." Nikki Marmery, author of LIllith

"Sycorax is a poignant portrayal of a woman struggling to find her place in the face of physical challenges and social otherness. This is a book that resonates with current issues and will keep the reader gripped throughout" Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women

"With all the reverberations and resonances of ancient tales, Sycorax is a vivid and stirring re-imagining of Shakespeare's final witch. Hetherington's prose will cast a spell on you. This book is perfect for lovers of Circe." Molly Aiken, author of Bright I Burn

"Magnificent - a beautifully-written, poignant tour de force blending myth, realism, magic, loneliness and the reality of living with chronic pain" Penny Batchelor, author of The Reunion Party

"A beautifully tragic story told with heartbreaking poignancy. The tale of Sycorax lingers long after the last page. Magnificent!" Victoria Dowd, author of Murder Most Cold

“What a wonderful, witchy delight. So evocative and raw. Full of darkness and magic and wonder. Truly extraordinary.” Louise Beech/Swanson, author of Lights Out, Nothing Else, This is How we Are Human

“If you love untold and lost stories of women, whether real or fictional, you need to preorder this! A beautifully written exploration of one of literature’s most famous and misunderstood women. This is a clever and immersive tale, brilliant in its exploration of how societies, old and new, have turned on those who don’t fit in. Fabulous” Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City, Miss Aldridge Regrets, and Harlem After Midnight

“A vividly drawn imagining of the backstory of Sycorax, mother of Caliban in The Tempest. Heartbreakingly poignant, it’s the tale of a young woman living with physical pain, social isolation and terrible loneliness but who never gives up trying to find a life where she can be useful. So imaginative and original, and beautifully written.” Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man and That Bonesetter Woman

Praise for Nydia Hetherington

"An immensely assured first novel." The Guardian

"This novel had me under its spell from start to finish, each page conjuring up such vivid imagery that I was uttterly captivated. Breathtaking." Emma Cooper, author of It Was Always You