We chat with author Rachel Louise Driscoll about Nephthys, which is a captivating treasure of a novel about Clemmie, a young Victorian Egyptologist, and her entanglement with the legend of the goddess, Nephthys.
Hi, Rachel! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Absolutely. I’m twenty-seven, originally from Plymouth, and after getting married last year, I now live in the North East with my wonderful husband David, and my cat (who is aptly named Cleopatra). I’m a housewife and author, so that means I spend my days cooking and writing, which I think is a brilliant combination. I like to refer to myself as a Victorian living in the 21st century.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
My love for stories is wrapped up in my earliest memories, with my mum reading aloud to me. I remember her reading Charles Dickens’ novels and Little Women to me from a young age. I started writing little poems and stories as soon as I was able to write sentences down, and even before then I used to dictate to my mum so she could write them down for me. I had a very literature-centric upbringing, so books have always been a big part of my life.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: It was possibly The Wind in the Willows, but it’s hard to pinpoint the first
- The one that made you want to become an author: I’ve wanted to be an author as long as I can remember, but Gone with the Wind and The Scarlet Pimpernel helped steer me towards historical fiction
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Where the Crawdads Sing
Your latest novel, Nephthys, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Mysterious Victorian Gothic Egyptian adventure
What can readers expect?
Prepare for a blending of Victorian Gothic with Egyptian mythology. Nephthys tells the story of a Victorian hieroglyphist called Clemmie who arrives in Egypt on a secret mission whilst being haunted by the myth of the goddess Nephthys, who is the sister of the better-known goddess Isis. A macabre exploration of the Victorian Egyptian Revival, Nephthys takes you on a journey up the Nile in 19th century Egypt.
Where did the inspiration for Nephthys come from?
Firstly, a childhood experience of handling a mummified cat. Secondly, my love for Gothic Victoriana. And thirdly, I came across an article about Victorian mummy unwrapping parties one day. These were the key ingredients to kickstart my novel.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I had a lot of fun with Celia, one of the tourists Clemmie meets in Egypt. Her voice just came to me one day, and she made me chuckle. I also really loved painting Egypt. Creating a strong sense of place in a novel is something that I love doing, so it was particularly enjoyable to get to describe the sights and ruins along the River Nile. I really love bringing in atmosphere and mystery and adding in twists, so those elements are always fun to write as well.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I think the biggest challenge when you write historical fiction is being accurate to the period. It’s so important to me that I’m true to the era in which my story is set, so if that means I have to stop writing and spend more time researching, then so be it. I would also say that one of the challenges was working out the geography of my story, where Clemmie should stop off on her journey upriver etc. Amelia Edwards’ memoir A Thousand Miles Up the Nile was incredibly helpful for overcoming such obstacles.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
It still feels so surreal that I’m now a published author! It has taken me many years to get here. Things really changed for me in 2020 when I won a scholarship with Curtis Brown Creative for their 3-month online course. I was working on a different manuscript at the time, and I went on to write another before I actually wrote Nephthys towards the end of 2021. I went on submission to agents in 2022 and received three offers of representation, signing with my brilliant agent Sarah Hornsley. We worked together to edit the novel, and at the start of 2023 went on submission to publishers, which is when Harvill Secker offered to publish my book. It has been the most amazing journey, and I’m so looking forward to seeing all of what’s ahead.
What’s next for you?
I have some in-person events in London, the North East, and Scotland throughout February. US publication is scheduled for the 10th of June under the title The House of Two Sisters, so it will be great to see my debut reaching more readers in another part of the world. And I’m busy working on my next book. I’m stepping away from Egyptology (for now!) whilst still embracing those Victorian Gothic vibes, and weaving through some different myths and legends which have long captivated me. I’m really excited to share more about my second novel, hopefully soon!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?
I’m hoping to read a mix of current releases, and catch up on my TBR pile. Some titles from 2025 that I’m excited for are Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons, The Twelve Days of Christmas by Susan Stokes-Chapman, and When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin. My husband recently treated me to a copy of The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey, which I’ve been itching to get my hands on for ages. I know I’m late to the party, but I can’t wait to read it.
