Blood and Gold

A Journey of Shadows

Illustrated by Eri Griffin

Blood and Gold is a powerful, dynamic fusion of African and Scottish myth and fantasy which explores the themes of racism, immigration and colonialism, and the acceptance of self, grief and loss.

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.

'A beautifully weighted set of nested stories for contemporary times' — Thom Dibdin, The Stage

'An exquisite piece of storytelling' — The Guardian

ISBN: 9781780277462 | Published: 1 February 2022 | Paperback | 176 pages