RETOLD: Kat Dunn and Elle Machray in conversation

We are so excited to welcome Kat Dunn and Elle Machray to Blackwell's to discuss their queer gothic revenge novels Rottenheart and Havisham. Inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet and Dickens' Miss Havisham of Great Expectations, these stunning novels reclaim, recentre and empower their female characters.

Doors: 6.30pm, Starts: 6.45pm

Tickets are £4 or admissin is free when purchasing a Book & Ticket option, or a copy of either book in store ahead of the event.

About ROTTENHEART:

Revenge me. For I am murdered...

Odette and Cecilia are young women, living between their grand homes in Hampstead and the imposing, ancient Herne House in Suffolk. Though Odette's artist mother Lydia keeps a tight grasp on her, she and her beloved Cecilia are mostly left free to roam, to learn and to love.

But when Lydia inexplicably sickens and dies, a dark veil falls. As the funeral rites are performed, Odette's aunt, the cold and implacable Claudine, increasingly takes charge of the household, while her father retreats to his study. Odette, lost in grief, disappears into the shadows.

But as Claudine is announced as Odette's new stepmother, a sinister presence in the house makes itself known. To her horror, Odette realises that despite her death, Lydia never really left. And now she wants revenge . . .
Inspired by Hamlet, the ultimate revenge tragedy, Rottenheart is the stunning new sapphic gothic horror novel from Kat Dunn, the lauded author of Hungerstone and Bitterthorn.

About HAVISHAM:

Jilted bride. Mad witch. Tragic villainess.

This time, she will have her revenge.

Charlotte Havisham has a secret.

She's been underestimated for too long: by her former fiancé, Compeyson; by her family; and by society.

But now her true heart's desire is within reach for the first time. And she will stop at nothing to get it.

This is the story of Miss Havisham as you've never heard it before.

And she will exceed all expectations.

A thrilling and immersive historical novel, Havisham is a queer feminist reimagining in which Dickens' most infamous female character tells her side of the story at last.

About the authors:

Kat Dunn grew up in London and has lived in Japan, Australia and France. She has a BA in Japanese from SOAS and an MA in English from Warwick. She's written about mental health for Mind and the Guardian, and worked as a translator for Japanese television. Her YA has been published by Head of Zeus and Andersen Press. She is the author of Hungerstone, a reimagining of the classic vampire novel Carmilla.

Elle Machray grew up in Birmingham to St Lucian and Scottish parents. After graduating from the HarperCollins Author Academy, their debut novel Remember, Remember was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Prize, judged by Hilary Mantel, and shortlisted for Scotland’s National Book Award – First Book of the Year. Elle has also featured on The List’s Top 100 influential people and won the Somewhere: For Us Culture Award.
When she isn't hunched over a manuscript, you'll find Elle talking about books and history online, or exploring iconic literary locations across Europe and beyond.

If you cannot make the event but would like a dedicated copy of the book, please email [email protected] or call us on 0161 274 3331.

Our event format is usually a 45 minute discussion between the author and interviewer, followed by a chance for audience members to ask questions. There will be the opportunity to get your book signed/dedicated after the event. Events are a brilliant opportunity to discover new books, meet authors and likeminded readers and learn something new.

Support your local bookshop and help us keep the Manchester literary scene vibrant and exciting. You can follow us on Eventbrite and social media (@BlackwellsMCR) to keep up to date on upcoming events.

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