A NOVEL OF CLAUDE MONET

Written by Stephanie Cowell, author of several acclaimed historical novels and winner of an American Book Award. To be published April 6th, 2010 by Crown. Available at that time from all online and independent booksellers.

THE STORY:
Monet is one the world’s most esteemed painters, known as one of the founders of the Impressionist movement, as the old man in his garden at Giverny, and as the master behind the famous painting Water Lilies. But what is known of Monet before he was “Monet,” when he was simply “Claude”—a handsome, obscure, twenty-five-year-old painter, loyal to his friends and in love with an enigmatic upper-class girl? In Stephanie Cowell’s CLAUDE & CAMILLE: A Novel of Monet (Crown; April 2010), she tells the tragic love story of the young, unknown painter and his great muse, Camille Doncieux.

In his early twenties, Claude Monet comes to Paris, determined to make his fortune as an artist. Instead, he finds poverty but also camaraderie in a group of similarly unknown painters—Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, Bazille, Manet, and Cézanne—who share his vision and passion. After a few years of living as a penniless artist, Monet walks into a bookshop in Paris and finds Camille Doncieux, a mysterious and beautiful upper-class girl. His life is irrevocably changed. Monet falls madly in love with Camille, who rejects a life of privilege to be with him and lives as his greatest muse. Through years of painting, misunderstanding, and love, they carve out a life together, but adversity eventually takes its toll. Even as Monet begins to sell his work, his marriage to Camille descends into tragedy—and Monet realizes that he has never completely known his true love.

Stephanie Cowell’s cinematic writing transports the reader to nineteenth-century Paris and blends three stories: Monet’s discovery of painting, his passionate love for Camille, and the struggle of a small group of painters who would bond together to form the most famous art movement in history: Impressionism.

CLAUDE & CAMILLE also offers readers an intimate portrait of the muse behind one of history’s most esteemed artists.

REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS:

"To be swept up by this novel which reveals the man and woman behind--no, in, the waterlily paintings, the seascapes and landscapes -- is a heartbreak. The story is lovely, touching, delicately written, and extraordinarily compelling. Read it with a book of Monet's paintings by your side, and be prepared to marvel, and to weep." -- SUSAN VREELAND, author of Girl in Hyacinth Blue and Luncheon of the Boating Party

"One winter's day, a young, frustrated Claude Monet waits for a train on his way to boot camp; through the crowd, he spies a lovely young woman in tears. Captivated, he sketches her face before she disappears with her mother and sister into the bustle of the station. A few years later, he has not forgotten the girl's beauty and is stunned to meet her again in a Paris bookshop. Her name is Camille Donceaux, and she is destined to become Monet's first wife and greatest muse. Moving through war, illness, prosperity, and poverty, Cowell writes the couple's love story with an eye for perspective as skilled as any painter's. By novel's end, readers are left with not only the satisfying drama of life among the Impressionists but also a greater appreciation for Monet's art and the driving forces behind it....a rich, artsy read." LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Beautiful bourgeoise Camille Doncieux leaves her family for Monet, whom Cowell depicts early on as a rebellious young man trying to capture in his paintings fleeting moments of color and light. A convincing narrative about how masterpieces are created and a detailed portrait of a complex couple, Cowell's novel suggests that a fabulous, if flawed, love is the source of both the beauty and sadness of Monet's art." - PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY

"CLAUDE AND CAMILLE is a wonderfully absorbing and romantic novel, the story of Claude Monet's passion for his painting and his equally passionate love for a woman who is as elusive as the water lilies that he strove to capture on canvas. This elegant novel was hard to put down, and once I did, I rushed to view Monet's paintings with a deeper understanding. Stephanie Cowell is a wonderful writer. - SANDRA GULLAND, author of the Josephine B. Trilogy and Mistress of the Sun

For further information, reviews, readings, appearances and translations, please visit http://www.stephaniecowell.com or e-mail Stephanie at StephanieCowell@nyc.rr.com.

It is always interesting to hear about new businesses coming to our area and it is good to welcome a more unusual business venture based in the village of Lithaire. Xstream recording studio offers recording facilities for individuals and groups from beginners to professionals. There is also a two bedroomed gite for those wishing to come and spend time here using the studio and having a holiday at the same time.

We took some time out to ask Jo at Xstream a few questions:

Is music and recording something you have been "into" for a while
Yes I have always enjoyed recording and producing music  ever since I was selected to play the drums for the school band from that I learnt the guitar as it was easier to carry and set up. I have played music all over the world and recently session musician for a local popular band in the UK. My first recorded album managed to reach the I tunes charts and I also recorded an album for charity the Gambia.

The obvious question but one everyone likes to know, what made you up sticks and come to Normandy? Did you look at other regions of France and how long have you been here?
We decided decided to up sticks and come to Normandy after being made redundant in the UK we looked at places in Brittany and Normandy however found the ideal venue for recording music when I looked at an old barn  which was full of hay , the stone walls  over a meter thick made me consider the ideal acoustics for recording music. A private and quiet area suitable for writing music ample parking space and facility to unload vehicles of music equipment without getting damaged from the rain.. We have lived here for a year however the property was a holiday home before residency.

Do you do any gigs locally?
No I don't play in a band as I have been renovating the studio and gite I would very much like to have contacts with local musicians and perhaps produce and help them towards achieving a good live sound or passing on their music to professional talent scouts based in the UK.  I have attended concerts in St Lo and often listen for potential talent with a view to possibly recording and producing their music. My French neighbour has been learning to play the guitar in my studio and recently purchased a new acoustic guitar from our local music store.

I see you have lots of acoustic guitars, are you a musician who is into performing as well as sound engineering?
I like to offer bands the chance to play varied instruments acoustic guitars are very handy for rehearsing live sessions or writing music , often I like to hear the vocals with an acoustic guitar before laying down the tracks in the studio. a sort of unplugged sound.

What kinds of music really interest you?
I have always liked the 80's music and very much into the Pink Floyd type sounds.

What does your studio offer to the novice and the professional?
My studio offers a service to novices who have never been in a studio or to someone who has had some experience in a recording studio the difference being they have a facility to relax and not feel rushed into recording music. I also offer advice and guidance for clients who wish to record memoirs, experiences in the war or  get down onto media CD or Cassette poems they have written.

I see you also do DJ and discos can you tell me a bit more do you travel to different areas, etc ?
I have experience in DJ work and worked in studio's with professional DJ's who produce records for the very popular night clubs around the world. My studio has a facility to transfer records onto CD also.

If I wanted to come and do some recording could I stay in your gite on a combined holiday?
Yes although the 2 bedroom Gite above the studio is not finished then you could stay in our house as it has a spare double and single room with separate toilet and shower.  Wifi , satellite television, games console is available. You could even listen to some of your recordings in a private sound area before the final mix is transferred to Cd  Ipod , Mp3 or Cassette.

Interested...You can contact Xstream studio on 02 33 47 32 21 for more information.

Grand Ouest Authors is a free networking and support group for book authors in Brittany, Normandy and the Pays de la Loire. If you have a book in print, or hope to publish in the future - whatever the subject - why not join us?

http://www.grandouestauthors.com