The Shapeshifter’s Daughter: Sally Magnusson with Eleanor Updale

Mythical, Feminist, Historic

We’re delighted to welcome bestselling author, journalist, and broadcaster Sally Magnusson back to Aye Write to discuss her brand new novel, The Shapeshifter’s Daughter.

In Sally’s powerful reimagining of the Norse myth of Hel, Queen of the Underworld, the story spans mythical Asgard and modern-day Orkney as it follows protagonist Helen on a journey home.

Faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis, Helen Firth makes the impulsive decision to return to Orkney after forty years to make peace with her past. Under the wintering solstice sun, she reconnects with the ungainly but affable Thorfinn Coffin, who helps her address the real reason she has returned to the islands to die.

Hear from Sally as she explains the inspirations behind the novel and its themes of identity, legacy, myth and legend.