In her 2023 novel Weyward, Emilia Hart took a significant risk. Rather than telling a simple story in a single setting, she decided to follow three separate but interconnected story threads. The first story is set in the modern day, in 2019, and follows a young woman named Kate, who has inherited a cottage in the middle of nowhere, United Kingdom, where she flees to escape her chaotic, oftentimes unhappy life and most importantly, her abusive partner. There, she uncovers the secrets of the cottage, which she suspects traces back to the 1600s.
Naturally, the next story in the novel is set in 1619. Presumably set in and around the cottage, this part of the novel follows a witch named Altha, who is set to be killed after being accused of murdering a farmer simply because of her magical ability. Thus, she is forced to utilize her powers to defend herself against increasingly insurmountable odds. The final story thread ties up all of Kate's questions about the cottage and its history. Set in 1942, in the middle of World War II, this part of the novel follows a young woman named Violet, who hopes to give herself the education that her brothers freely receive. When exploring her house, the same cottage Kate inherited, she uncovers more about its history, including an inscription from Altha that reads "Weyward."
Wayward quickly became a New York Times bestseller after it was published in 2023, indicating its widespread public appeal. Critics also spoke kindly of Weyward in their reviews of it. Many reviewers, including Kirkus Reviews, praised the novel's feminist themes and called the novel "thoughtful and at times harrowing" and "a successful blend of historical fiction and modern feminism."
