The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree

Praise for The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree

“Set in rural Arkansas in 1967, India Hayford’s evocative and beautifully crafted tale is infused with magical realism and dark humor. This powerful narrative of belonging and the unexpected gifts and challenges of finding one’s place in the world is a mesmerizing read that will leave you pondering the interplay of fate and free will. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring quest for home.” —Susan Wiggs, # 1 New York Times bestselling author

“Gives you everything you want in a Southern gothic novel, served up in a fresh, nervy new voice in this wonderful debut. I didn’t want the story to end, but when I came to it, the ending was especially rich and satisfying. Don’t miss this one.” —Elizabeth Hardinger, author of All The Forgivenesses

“India Hayford’s riveting debut is an exploration of tangled familial bonds, loss, love and the redemption of fierce womanhood. Captivating storytelling that is utterly unforgettable.”
—Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series

“The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree is a spellbinding journey through the heart of the South, where magic whispers in the rustling leaves and redemption hangs heavy in the air. The story’s richly drawn characters linger long after the last page is turned. A haunting, vivid tale of resilience and self-discovery that proves home is not just a place but a state of being we carry within us.”
—Amanda Skenandore, author of The Medicine Woman of Galveston

“India Hayford is an intrepid writer whose appealing prose immediately engages as she sets her characters on worthy, but treacherous paths toward their individual redemption. Bursting with offbeat, colorful personalities, beguiling pastimes and unsung heroes, The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree is a rousing story of good over evil, brought to life with skill and heart.” —Donna Everhart, author of The Saints of Swallow Hill

India Hayford is a naturalist, teacher, historical reenactor, artist, and author. The recipient of the Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award for best work informed by a relationship with the natural world, she is the author of two nonfiction books, a short story collection, and her debut novel, The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree. She also writes The Howl, a quarterly wildlife newsletter with national distribution, and her articles have appeared in various regional and national publications, including Threads and Needle Arts. A member of Wyoming Writers and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, she is a regular speaker at the Werner Wildlife Museum, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Embroiderers Guild of America, and local historical and arts organizations. She was born in Arkansas, where her family roots go back to the 1830s and her family tree farm still stands in Hempstead County. She now lives with her husband in Wyoming, but she returns every year to visit the hills, swamps, and pine forests of southwest Arkansas.

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