Lucy Steeds

All Joseph wants is to be let into Tartuffe’s world.

All Ettie wants is to escape it.

PROVENCE, 1920.

Ettie moves through the remote farmhouse, silently creating the conditions that make her uncle’s artistic genius possible.

Joseph, an aspiring journalist, has been invited to the house. He believes he’ll make his name by interviewing the reclusive painter, the great Edouard Tartuffe.

But everyone has their secrets. And, under the cover of darkness, Ettie has spent years cultivating hers. Over that sweltering summer, everyone’s true colours will be revealed.

Because Ettie is ready to be seen. Even if it means setting her world on fire.

The Artist

Set just after the first world war, we are submerged in a new microcosm in the South of France. Joseph, an art journalist wants to interview the famous Edouard Tarfuffe (60). A student of Cezanne and friend of van Gogh. He has been a recluse in a large country house and studio, where his niece Ettie (27) is his assistant, chef, cleaner, shopper and much more.

The book has languid pacing which makes you feel like you are in a hot summer field in Provence. I think both Ettie and Joseph are well rounded and interesting protagonists. I found their memories of WW1 very interesting on a human level, also the most touching parts of this book.

I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and artists.

Suzanne

What an interesting and layered book.

Set just after the first world war, we are submerged in a new microcosm in the South of France. Joseph, an art journalist wants to interview the famous Edouard Tarfuffe (60). A student of Cezanne and friend of van Gogh. He has been a recluse in a large country house and studio, where his niece Ettie (27) is his assistant, chef, cleaner, shopper and much more.

The book has languid pacing which makes you feel like you are in a hot summer field in Provence. I think both Ettie and Joseph are well rounded and interesting protagonists. I found their memories of WW1 very interesting on a human level, also the most touching parts of this book.

I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and artists.

The Artist

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