Angry Robot scoops 'thought-provoking' dystopian thriller by Baader Kaley

Angry Robot Books has scooped an "exciting and thought-provoking" dystopian thriller by Mary Baader Kaley.

Gemma Creffield acquired world English language, foreign and audio rights to Burrowed from Ali Herring of Spencerhill Associates. It will publish on 22nd November 2022. 

The synopsis says: "The future of the human population is at risk, and brilliant 17-year-old 'light-blind' Zuzan Cayan carries the weight of saving it against the ticking clock of her low life expectancy. Fighting against the systems in which her fragile health places her, Burrowed follows Zuzan as she attempts to cure and reunite two different groups of society, one living in burrows below ground to protect their tenuous health, the others living above. Significantly inspired by her lived experience as a mother, Baader Kaley questions the very world we live in, and the systems created to help, or hinder, those who most need it in this far-future look at the aftermath of a genetic plague that brought division at the DNA level."

Baader Kaley said: “Burrowed started as a piece of flash fiction about 10 years ago, with a brilliant but quirky heroine with complicated emotions. She became my Jane Eyre. As a mum of a wonderful child born with a brain malformation, this story dug itself into the depths of my soul and I’m filled with gratitude for the amazing people at Angry Robot for the chance to give this story life.”

Creffield added: “I’m a huge lover of dystopian fiction, and Jane Eyre is my all-time favourite classic. Putting those two things together, I mean, I wasn’t going to say no! Mary’s writing is so evocative, and I fell in love with Zuzan almost immediately, just like I did Jane. She’s strong, compassionate and forever underestimating herself. It’s a joy to watch her grow.” 

Herring commented: "I'm so glad to partner with Gemma Creffield at Angry Robot to bring this book to readers. Reading Mary's work is a lot like falling into a new kind of wonderland. Her world building is so deep and complex, down to her inventiveness with language, and she's created an intensely smart, resilient heroine who completely engages the reader's sympathy. I like to say Zuzan is the Katniss Everdeen of her world, except she uses her brains instead of a bow to save it."