Book Launch: Psykhe by Kate Forsyth

Come and help us celebrate the launch of Kate Forsyth’s latest novel at Harry Hartog Warringah from 6pm on Tuesday 28th May.

Kate will be in conversation with Vanessa McCausland, talking about the inspirations and challenges of writing her novel Psykhe, a powerful reimagining of an ancient Greek myth of love, death, desire, and disobedience.

“There’s a reason why Kate Forsyth is one of Australia’s most beloved storytellers – it’s because she writes such enchanting tales.”

- Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Riviera House

About The Book:

It is not wise to anger the gods... or to fall in love with one.

Psykhe has always been different. Fair as Venus, the goddess of love, and with the hard-won ability to save the lives of those of mortal blood, she is both shunned and revered.

When she unwittingly provokes Venus, she and her sisters lose everything. Psykhe must find a way to make amends and support her family. Befriended by an old woman, Nokturna, Psykhe finds herself irresistibly drawn to her young friend, Ambrose. But neither is what they seem.

For Psykhe has fallen in love with a man whose face she is forbidden to see. After disobeying this injunction, she must risk everything to try to save him, even if it means travelling down to the shadowy Underworld to face Proserpina, queen of the dead.

The way to the realm of the dead is easy. A thrust of a sword, a sudden fall, a careless bite of toadstool, and the soul is sucked away. It is the return journey that is difficult...

The story of Psykhe and Eros has been told for more than two-and-a-half thousand years. Kate Forsyth infuses it with new vigour as a life-affirming celebration of female strength, sexual desire, and empowerment.

About the author:

Dr Kate Forsyth is an award-winning author, poet, and storyteller whose work spins together art, folklore, history and myth into spellbinding new tales. She has been called one of ‘the finest writers of this generation’.

Her historical novels for adults include Psykhe, a reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of ‘Eros and Psykhe’; The Crimson Thread, a retelling of the myth of the minotaur set in Crete during World War II which The Washington Review called ‘a riveting tale of courage, love, and betrayal’; The Wild Girl, the story of the forbidden romance behind the Grimm brothers’ famous fairy tales which was named Most Memorable Love Story; and Bitter Greens, a reimagining of ‘Rapunzel’ which won the American Library Award for Best Historical Fiction. Kate’s books for children include Long-Lost Fairy-Tales, illustrated by Lorena Carrington, which reinvigorates little-known tales of wisdom, compassion and courage.

Kate has a BA in literature, a MA in creative writing, and a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale and mythic studies, focusing on the history, science and purpose of storytelling. An accredited master storyteller with the Australian Guild of Storytellers, she runs writing and cultural retreats in Australia, Greece, and the United Kingdom.

Praise for Kate Forsyth:

“Surrender yourself to a master storyteller” - Susan Vreeland

‘Truly enchanting’ - Good Book Guide

‘Bewitching’ - The Lit Bitch

‘Spellbinding storytelling’ - Catherine Plano