Greyhound Literary

Welsh wizardry -- debut novelist Brigid Lowe revitalizes part of the Mabinogion in THE BLOODY BRANCH

Harvill Secker Publishing Director Liz Foley at PRH UK has acquired The Bloody Branch by Brigid Lowe, a retelling of part of The Mabinogion, the oldest narrative in British literature and a precursor of fantasy fiction. World English rights were acquired from Philip Gwyn Jones at Greyhound Literary for publication in January 2026.

The novel tells the story of three women – slave queen Goewin, reclusive sorceress Arianrhod and Blodeuwedd, a woman conjured from flowers – as they seek to avenge themselves on the most dangerous man in ancient legend. Gwydion is a powerful sorcerer whose ambition and cruelty wreak havoc across the kingdom. When at last the earth itself is put at stake, Goewin, Arianrod and Blodeuwedd each unleash uncanny powers to challenge him.

Casting ancient light on desire, sex, and our relationship with nature, Lowe brings Celtic myth to explosive, sensuous, blossoming new life.

Liz Foley said: ‘The Bloody Branch is a uniquely voiced, violent and dazzling delight and Brigid’s writing casts an irresistible spell. I am obsessed with this book and can’t wait for readers to discover its horror and beauty too’.

Brigid Lowe added: “This epic narrative has haunted me all my life, and I’m deeply grateful to my agent Philip and all at Harvill Secker for their courage and ambition in helping me bring it to a new audience. The story is vaster and stranger than any of us, and it has taken the full stretch of many minds and hearts to place it on the page, and honour the female pantheon who inspired it.”

Brigid Lowe was raised by Irish parents in remote Welsh-speaking North Wales, where the only lessons were Bible stories, folk tales and immaculate cursive writing. She is descended from travellers, circus performers, mill workers and mercenary warriors. She studied literature at Bangor and Oxford, before joining the faculty at Sheffield and then Cambridge, where she published widely on the art of the novel. She now lives in Scotland with her children and their phones. While not writing she supplies the citizens of Edinburgh with extra virgin olive oil and swims in the North Sea.

 

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