BOOK REVIEW
The Sun Rose in Paris
Author: Penny Fields-Schneider
This book is the first of a trilogy which, though fiction, introduces scenes where the real world of Bloomsbury’s Sussex, Hemingway’s Paris and Picasso’s Malaga are featured.
Jack is a young Australian of the 1930s who, with artistic talent, is anxious to explore the art world and life in general in Europe. He has an aunt and uncle living in London who are more than happy to have him stay with them and so Jack sets off on a planned 6 month holiday. His parents, Marian and William are there, portside, when his ship departs Melbourne docks feeling assured that their son will return and pursue a career his father has planned for him in his company.
On board ship he befriends Margaret, also a fellow artist, who is very taken with Jack’s work and appoints herself as his mentor.
Upon arrival in London, Margaret introduces Jack to the ‘Bloomsbury set’ who live by their passions and not by social conventions. She also introduces him to Roger Fry (Uncle Roger) an artist, lecturer and one time gallery owner. He recognises Jack’s work as being ‘good’ and Margaret tells Jack that “if Roger says your work is good, then it must be really good!”
Roger knows Paris well and suggests that Jack enrol in the Academie Julian in that city. Jack is absolutely amazed that his work is receiving such high praise. He writes to his parents informing them of this latest plan. They are not convinced that this is the right move but Jack feels confident and excited and tells his aunt and uncle he will be leaving London and travelling to Paris.
When he arrives at the Academie he meets a young fellow student from Spain, Adrien, and his twin sister, Sofia. Together they become a trio and explore the exciting Paris of the 1930s.
During this time Jack is introduced to a whole art movement he had not previously been exposed to which included the Impressionists, a meeting with Pablo Picasso himself and, through Roger Fry is introduced to Miss Gertrude Stein. Much to the excitement of Jack and his colleagues, Miss Stein organises a showing of 8 of Jack’s paintings in Montmartre.
This is a wonderful story of a young man with ambition but little knowledge of where this could lead him. It is beautifully told in an informative manner with a love interest (Sofia) being woven through it.
I could feel the passion, excitement and frustration this young man was experiencing, especially when he had to make the decision about a future in the field he loved so much, and which Paris had to offer at that time, or to return to the security of the life laid out for him in Melbourne.
ROSALIE HOWARTH
Author: Penny Fields-Schneider
This book is the first of a trilogy which, though fiction, introduces scenes where the real world of Bloomsbury’s Sussex, Hemingway’s Paris and Picasso’s Malaga are featured.
Jack is a young Australian of the 1930s who, with artistic talent, is anxious to explore the art world and life in general in Europe. He has an aunt and uncle living in London who are more than happy to have him stay with them and so Jack sets off on a planned 6 month holiday. His parents, Marian and William are there, portside, when his ship departs Melbourne docks feeling assured that their son will return and pursue a career his father has planned for him in his company.
On board ship he befriends Margaret, also a fellow artist, who is very taken with Jack’s work and appoints herself as his mentor.
Upon arrival in London, Margaret introduces Jack to the ‘Bloomsbury set’ who live by their passions and not by social conventions. She also introduces him to Roger Fry (Uncle Roger) an artist, lecturer and one time gallery owner. He recognises Jack’s work as being ‘good’ and Margaret tells Jack that “if Roger says your work is good, then it must be really good!”
Roger knows Paris well and suggests that Jack enrol in the Academie Julian in that city. Jack is absolutely amazed that his work is receiving such high praise. He writes to his parents informing them of this latest plan. They are not convinced that this is the right move but Jack feels confident and excited and tells his aunt and uncle he will be leaving London and travelling to Paris.
When he arrives at the Academie he meets a young fellow student from Spain, Adrien, and his twin sister, Sofia. Together they become a trio and explore the exciting Paris of the 1930s.
During this time Jack is introduced to a whole art movement he had not previously been exposed to which included the Impressionists, a meeting with Pablo Picasso himself and, through Roger Fry is introduced to Miss Gertrude Stein. Much to the excitement of Jack and his colleagues, Miss Stein organises a showing of 8 of Jack’s paintings in Montmartre.
This is a wonderful story of a young man with ambition but little knowledge of where this could lead him. It is beautifully told in an informative manner with a love interest (Sofia) being woven through it.
I could feel the passion, excitement and frustration this young man was experiencing, especially when he had to make the decision about a future in the field he loved so much, and which Paris had to offer at that time, or to return to the security of the life laid out for him in Melbourne.
ROSALIE HOWARTH
