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Sun in Splendour
A compelling story of a woman's struggle for her art – and for love.
Born amid the violence of the Paris Commune, smuggled out of France and raised in the Blue Mountains, Marie Desmoulins becomes one of the great artists of the twentieth century.
Overcoming the restrictions to which women were subject during her youth, Marie moves to Sydney, then travels to the Paris of the 1920s, Kashmir in the days of the Raj and, finally, home again to Australia.
Along the way, she has relationships with a wide variety of people: Eugénie, willing to exchange her children for the financial security that ultimately eludes her; Aline, who abandons her art for luxury; Martha, whose disfigured body could not conceal her generous spirit; Katie, model, close friend and confidante; Neil, whom she marries; and finally, Mark, destined to become the most significant man in her life.
One of Australia's finest authors brings us a profoundly moving account of one woman's creative life and the true price of artistic genius.
Born amid the violence of the Paris Commune, smuggled out of France and raised in the Blue Mountains, Marie Desmoulins becomes one of the great artists of the twentieth century.
Overcoming the restrictions to which women were subject during her youth, Marie moves to Sydney, then travels to the Paris of the 1920s, Kashmir in the days of the Raj and, finally, home again to Australia.
Along the way, she has relationships with a wide variety of people: Eugénie, willing to exchange her children for the financial security that ultimately eludes her; Aline, who abandons her art for luxury; Martha, whose disfigured body could not conceal her generous spirit; Katie, model, close friend and confidante; Neil, whom she marries; and finally, Mark, destined to become the most significant man in her life.
One of Australia's finest authors brings us a profoundly moving account of one woman's creative life and the true price of artistic genius.
576 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2002
About the author
J.H. Fletcher
20 books30 followersJ.H. Fletcher is the prize-winning author of fifteen novels, published to both critical and popular acclaim in Australia, Germany and the UK, as well as numerous short stories and plays for radio and television.
He was educated in England and France and travelled and worked in Europe, Asia and Africa before emigrating to Australia in 1991. Home is now a house within sight of the Western Tier Mountains in northern Tasmania.
He was educated in England and France and travelled and worked in Europe, Asia and Africa before emigrating to Australia in 1991. Home is now a house within sight of the Western Tier Mountains in northern Tasmania.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 14, 2017
I loved this book by one of my favourite authors. J.H. Fletcher brings to life the emotions, insecurities and choices of artist Marie Desmoulins, whose passion for art surpasses life itself. Set in the early 1900's Marie's devotion to her art sets her aside from the norms and expectations of women of her time. Determined to be true to herself Marie sacrifices comfort, money and love for her all-consuming desire to paint. In doing so she lives in different countries and circumstances. This book is a journey which will take your imagination to many different places as she seeks to understand the reason for her existence. A beautifully written story.
August 18, 2023
I enjoyed this historical fiction across France and Australia
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews