The Leviathan: A beguiling tale of superstition, myth and murder from a major new voice in historical fiction

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The result, we think, always merits attention. We told you how good Douglas Stuart was, long before he won the Booker for Shuggie Bain; ditto Caleb Azumah Nelson, winner of this year’s Costa first novel prize. We told you about Gail Honeyman before Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine sold millions of copies around the world; we even told you about Sally Rooney before she became Sally Rooney. Well I was primed by having read and re-read the Brontë sisters’ books, and a number of books about… This powerful debut novel by Rosie Andrews is compelling as it is unique; set apart from other recent explorations witchcraft in the current literary trend, the twists and turns in the plot keep you on your toes throughout. There is a richness of language and description within this novel which retains its natural conversation throughout, completely hooking you into Thomas' narrative.

The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews - 9781526637345 - Dymocks The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews - 9781526637345 - Dymocks

I started with Ruth. I always had her; I’d had her in my mind as a character for years and I had [the book taking place] over a much larger span of time, and then the more I thought about it, the more I thought so many decisions come down to one day and those moments that look like ordinary moments. And then I thought, I need another character and I want a teenager. I wanted that idea of different points in our lives. It was the term that he died, so it was all quite dramatic and sad. He was very dry and droll, very likable but sort of Eeyore-ish, and he said on the very first session – : you should think carefully about doing this writing business because you’re miserable if you’re writing, and you’re even more miserable if you’re not. What is it about Norfolk in this period in history which made it the perfect setting for The Leviathan?Her agent sought Kennedy out in 2018 after reading a story published in a Belfast literary magazine. In Silhouette went on to be shortlisted for the Sunday Times short story award and became part of her 2021 collection, The End of the World Is a Cul de Sac, sold to Bloomsbury together with Trespasses after a nine-way auction.

Rosie Andrews interview - Bloomsbury Publishing Rosie Andrews interview - Bloomsbury Publishing

It’s a layered, involving story, told with artfully quiet symbolism and remarkable narrative control as it stages a creeping clash between Cushla’s roles as a daughter, lover and teacher at a time of political tumult. “I think we all have all sorts of lives that we’re living at the same time,” says Kennedy, 54. She was diagnosed with melanoma shortly after starting the book in March 2019. “I had fairly horrible surgery and was off work for about three months. I thought, maybe I don’t have 25 years to arse around and write a novel.” It took nine drafts. “I had to push myself every single day even though I just wanted to bowk all over the laptop.” Thomas Treadwater is a soldier convalescing after an injury, when his receives word from his sister, Esther, to return home immediately because all is not well, and their father has succumbed to the spell of the new servant Chrissa Moore. Arriving at the family estate, he is presented with a field full of dead sheep, his father has had a stroke and unable to communicate while the new servant, who is denounced as a witch, is in jail pending an investigation.Andrews, by the end, makes the reader care deeply for every one of her characters, and particularly, to brings us understand the difficulties and struggles, the moral dilemmas, faced by Thomas Treadwater – who often is desperately, and sometimes actually, doing just that. What can I say about this beautiful book The Leviathan that has already been said by friends who have reviewed this, I am not going to give a long review as it’s already been said & wont do this justice.

The Leviathan | Rosie Andrews | 9781526637369 | NetGalley The Leviathan | Rosie Andrews | 9781526637369 | NetGalley

The novel's historical context puts it right in the middle of one of the most chaotic periods of England's history. Seventeenth century England was, in effect, what might today be called a failed state, deeply divided socially, politically, and by religion. People were obsessed with conspiracies and witchcraft, and corruption was widespread. It is difficult not to see some parallels with the US and the UK today. That is one of the reasons the book was such a joy to read. The author has got the characters spot on. Thomas, being the unbelieving sceptic who would risk everything to his sister Ester, right down to young Henry, the author had them nailed to a tee. Rosie Andrew’s haunting historical gothic debut is gripping, in every meaning of the word. The story coiled itself around me and refused to let go. Andrews uses meticulously researched detail, along with appropriately antiquated language and syntax, to absorb you into the narrative, and setting, of a troubled bygone England. Darkly compelling and dripping with atmosphere, The Leviathan is a bewitching tale of good, evil and all the shades in-between’ Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE FAMILIARS This is set primarily in the 1643/1644, in Norfolk, but also, in 1703, ‘A Place Far From The Sea’ The significance of this somewhat odd information becomes clear later, though it is the book’s beginning

Historical fiction at its best and a literary feat that deserves to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever👍 As well as being a thrilling tale, The Leviathan is everything great historical fiction should be; beautifully written in prose that is apply reminiscent of the period and full of wonderfully observed details which point to meticulous research.