"An intense and satisfying story." - Sara Sheridan. Bohemian Paris in the 1880s. Exotic, strange and exciting - especially to young English sculptress Jessie Lipscomb, who joins her friend Camille to become a protegee of the great Auguste Rodin. Jessie and Camille enjoy a passionate friendship and explore the demi-monde of the vibrant city, meeting artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec and the boldly unconventional Rosa Bonheur. But when Rodin and Camille embark on a scandalous affair, Jessie is cast as their unwilling go-between and their friendship unravels. Years later she tracks her down to an insane asylum where Camille tells her an explosive secret - can their friendship survive the betrayal?

About the Author
A highly promising author already achieving attention from awards panels, Maggie Ritchie is also a successful freelance journalist, writing for the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Guardian, Times, Sunday Times, Herald, Daily Record and Sunday Mail. She has an MLitt (Distinction) from the University of Glasgow and is currently working on her second novel.

Reviews
"Flows from the page like a piece of art."
A touching tale of friendship, love and betrayal set against a colourful backdrop of the Paris art world.
Compelling and seductive... a rather lovely tale
Jessie's adventures as a woman artist in 1880s Paris completely captivated me. A wonderful story." -- Carmen Reid
"An intense and satisfying story - an insight into the constraints on passionate and talented women in the Parisian art world at the turn of the century. It will haunt you." -- Sara Sheridan
A beautifully written evocation of the Parisian art scene of the late 1800s... it is a mesmerising canvas of love, friendship and betrayal. -- Laura Marney
An assured debut novel that keeps the reader fascinated from start to finish. - Bethany's Book Reviews blog.


Awards
Winner of Curtis Brown Prize 2012.



Book Information
ISBN 9781908643780
Author Maggie Ritchie
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint Saraband, Inc
Publisher Saraband