Blood and Gold

A gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and power in medieval Scotland

Drama, gold, and bloodshed in Scotland's turbulent past

About the Ebook

Winner of the Saltire Society Fiction Book of the Year

Jeda is a girl on the cusp of adulthood, living in Edinburgh; with a white father and a black mother, she feels self-conscious and out of place. Her feelings of alienation allow the stories of the shapeshifting Shadowman, who embodies all that is negative, to feed on her doubts and insecurities. The death of her mother, Rahami, gives the Shadowman an opportunity to control Jeda through her grief and his lies, but her mother's last gift to her daughter was a box of stories.

When the box is flung open, the stories escape, setting in motion an incredible journey.Jeda learns more about her African ancestry through tales of slavery, cruelty and colonisation, but she also discovers pride and love and sacrifice, ultimately embracing her dual heritage and her unique place in the world. Filled with tragedy, wonder and magic, Blood and Gold explores the themes of loss and oppression, while asking us to examine our own identities, attitudes, and humanity.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Experience the political intrigue and personal conflicts of Scottish nobility
• Discover how loyalty and ambition clashed throughout Scotland's medieval period
• Explore the true stories behind legends of power and betrayal
• Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher

'An exquisite piece of storytelling' The Guardian

'A beguiling mixture of poetry, moving prose and magical realism' The Sunday Times

'Spellbinding — Menzies takes us on a fantastical journey through the eyes of a teenage girl growing up black in a white world' The Scotsman

'Menzies' great achievement is to tap into the subtle power of allegory to make us consider familiar subjects with fresh eyes' Scotland on Sunday

'A beautifully weighted set of nested stories for contemporary times' The Stage

About the Author

Mara Menzies is a narrative artist who draws on her rich, dual Kenyan/Scottish cultural heritage to create worlds that explore contemporary issues through legend, myth and fantasy. She lives in Edinburgh.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Publication Date: 07 October 2021

Print Length: 176 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788854818

Format: Ebook

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