The Hollow Vale: Somerset’s Folklore Brought to Life in Alexander Paul Burton’s New Novel

I’m thrilled to share that The Hollow Vale has been featured in Somerset Live, spotlighting how my debut fantasy novel draws deeply from the rich folklore, myths, and haunting landscapes of my home county, Somerset.

As someone who grew up surrounded by stories of standing stones, green men, and mist-covered vales, it’s an honour to give those legends a fresh voice through fiction. The Hollow Vale explores the collapse of a once-great land and the quiet resilience of those left behind—echoing ancient tales while reflecting modern questions of identity, belonging, and home.

Set against an atmospheric backdrop inspired by places like the Mendips, Glastonbury Tor, and Cheddar Gorge, the book blends magical realism with historical echoes, weaving in themes of exile, queer resilience, and environmental decay. It’s a love letter to rural Britain and a reclamation of stories often buried under colonial myths and patriarchal versions of the past.

🌿 Read the full Somerset Live article here:
👉 https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/somersets-myths-magic-folklore-inspire-10110240

📘 The Hollow Vale is available at Foyles, Waterstones, and independent booksellers across the UK and Canada.

Thank you to the team at Somerset Live for helping shine a light on the folklore that shaped me—and the stories I now share with the world.

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