What do you think?
Rate this book
Permanent Violet
Eilidh Brogan lives in famous seclusion in the South of France. Forty years ago her young artist husband died just as his career was taking off; and it is only now, in the new millennium, that Colin Brogan is being hailed as a great Scottish artist. With the re-discovery of his work comes an inquiry into his life. His widow, from the dark shuttered rooms of her run-down villa, is forced to reflect on their life together and the pain, love and deception they shared. Permanent Violet is the tantalisingly powerful story of the young Brogans' inextricable fates, which, until now, has never been told.
210 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2002
9 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Frame
48 books13 followersRonald Frame was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1953, and educated there and at Oxford. He is the author of thirteen internationally published works of fiction, is an award-winning television and radio scriptwriter, and has recently received international recognition for his short stories set in the fictitious Scottish spa town of Carnbeg.
In 1984 he was joint-winner of the first Betty Trask Prize for fiction. In 1999 his novel The Lantern Bearers was longlisted for The Man Booker Prize and won the 2000 Saltire Award for Scottish Book of the Year.
In August 2001 he delivered the inaugural Saltire Lecture at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which received wide press coverage. He spoke at the New York Public Library in late October 2001 following appearances at the Toronto International Festival of Authors. The American Library Association named Ronald Frame as winner of the Barbara Gittings Honor Award in Fiction for 2003.
In 1984 he was joint-winner of the first Betty Trask Prize for fiction. In 1999 his novel The Lantern Bearers was longlisted for The Man Booker Prize and won the 2000 Saltire Award for Scottish Book of the Year.
In August 2001 he delivered the inaugural Saltire Lecture at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which received wide press coverage. He spoke at the New York Public Library in late October 2001 following appearances at the Toronto International Festival of Authors. The American Library Association named Ronald Frame as winner of the Barbara Gittings Honor Award in Fiction for 2003.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 17, 2013
Even better than finding a new author is finding a new author with a back catalogue! This is the first Ronald Frame book I have read and I really enjoyed it. The book is about a woman reflecting back on her life and her family and marriage to a famous artist. Sounds simple but lives never really are and we enter a complex life of family half-truths and secrets which make the story fascinating and the writing is just brill- cannot wait to read more Ronald Frame novels.....
March 24, 2025
I listened to this whole audio thinking it was an actual biography. I looked up Colin Brogan to see what the actual circumstances of his death were. It was performed in 10, 13-minute segments by the BBC, wonderfully read by Eileen McCallum.
This was beautifully written (an extra star for that) and an engaging story, but I think I might have found it difficult to wade through had I been reading it. It was almost poetry at times, which can be exhausting if it goes on too long. Much of the writing was somewhat vague, hinting at the true meaning-- I feel I've missed quite a lot of understanding, especially at the end. I would rather a writer leave me feeling a bit perplexed over what his or her intent was rather than spell everything out in black and white, but only if those are the only two choices. I'd prefer to have an understanding, even if I have to come around to it with some effort. As it was, I have several questions: What is the significance of "permanent violet"? These are the things I would like to understand in order to have enjoyed the story more. But I must admit, I didn't understand Eilidh and found her behaviors and actions confounding, and somewhat irritating. Seemed like maybe she needed to be smacked upside the head. She always seemed to be in a semi-dream state, just going along, moving through the motions however others propelled her. Once there was no one else around to direct her, she just faded into nothingness. (I suppose she sort of makes that point at the end, that she is no one.)
This was beautifully written (an extra star for that) and an engaging story, but I think I might have found it difficult to wade through had I been reading it. It was almost poetry at times, which can be exhausting if it goes on too long. Much of the writing was somewhat vague, hinting at the true meaning-- I feel I've missed quite a lot of understanding, especially at the end. I would rather a writer leave me feeling a bit perplexed over what his or her intent was rather than spell everything out in black and white, but only if those are the only two choices. I'd prefer to have an understanding, even if I have to come around to it with some effort. As it was, I have several questions: What is the significance of "permanent violet"? These are the things I would like to understand in order to have enjoyed the story more. But I must admit, I didn't understand Eilidh and found her behaviors and actions confounding, and somewhat irritating. Seemed like maybe she needed to be smacked upside the head. She always seemed to be in a semi-dream state, just going along, moving through the motions however others propelled her. Once there was no one else around to direct her, she just faded into nothingness. (I suppose she sort of makes that point at the end, that she is no one.)
March 7, 2025
Rather struggled with this one - not for me.
March 12, 2025
Intriguing
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews