"Coming face to face with herself leaves Iris examining her very essence in this wonderfully unique and thought-provoking novel. "
Gosh, this original and thought-spinningly intricate yet quietly simple read speared my emotions. I found myself utterly consumed by The Origins of Iris and absolutely adored every word. When Iris leaves her abusive wife for the wilds of the mountains, she quite literally finds herself when she comes face to face with another version of Iris. Being described by Hodder Studio as Wild meets Sliding Doors was an immediate hook for me, yet there is so, so much more on offer here. Love of course isn’t simple, it can be complex, cruel, even dangerous, and as this novel allowed me access to the layers of emotions within Iris, it entered my inner thoughts too. Beth Lewis skirts the obvious to open unrecognised pathways, she gradually opens up the story and sets information free. Goosebumps skittered down my arms as I felt understanding enter my awareness. I love the way you’re left to explore the complexities, I didn’t question, just let myself and my feelings go. Come the end, the fascinating, wonderful end, I didn’t make a decision as to exactly where I had travelled, I just knew that I had. Delving deeply into what it is to be human, The Origins of Iris is a truly unique and wonderful read.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
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Win a Copy of The Sisters of Hope Square by Faith Hogan and a Bucket List Scratch Book
Closing date: 04/07/2026
SHORTLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZE 2022.
One woman. Two lives. How far will she go to find herself?
*WILD MEETS SLIDING DOORS IN THE UNFORGETTABLE NEW NOVEL FROM BETH LEWIS*
On the outside, Iris and Claude have a perfect marriage, but that couldn't be further from the truth. One terrible night Claude's abuse goes too far and Iris flees into the Catskill mountains.
In the wilderness, Iris comes face to face with another version of herself. A woman who never met Claude and seemingly made all the right choices in life.
Trapped by an oncoming storm, Iris must uncover why they are there, what it means, and if the other Iris is even real. As the storm hits, the truth of what happened that fateful night will change everything.
An important, searing novel about one woman's journey in fleeing an abusive relationship and confronting the secrets of her past. Author of the critically-acclaimed debut The Wolf Road, Beth Lewis returns with her brand new novel The Origins of Iris where Wild meets Sliding Doors.
'Evocative and unexpected, tender and fierce, The Origins of Iris is unlike any other thriller I've read in years . . . Outstanding' Sarah Hilary
'This novel is like a dream, from the haunting narrative to the beautiful prose to the way Iris and her wilderness kept making their way into my subconscious at night. It is everything I could want from a book' Anna Bailey
'Atmospheric, thought-provoking, complex. A haunting exploration of one woman's journey into the dark heart of herself' Tamar Cohen
'A tale of wonder, heart-break and mystery, beautifully told. Loved every word' Emma Haughton
The Origins of Iris features in the following genres: Family Drama, Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Speculative fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Sharing Diverse Voices, Narrative theme: Social issues, Relating to lesbians, Relating to gay people, Relating to LGBTQ+ people, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Fiction: narrative themes, Relating to specific groups and cultures or social and cultural interests, Interest qualifiers, LGBTQ+ Fiction
The Origins of Iris is available in Paperback, Hardback
The Origins of Iris was written by Beth Lewis and published by Hodder an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton
The Origins of Iris has 321 pages
£8.99
