An outstanding debut novel about the conflicts of creativity and family and a love affair that survives against all the odds.

Winner of the Orange Award for New Writers 2009

Artist, lover, wife, mother: can one woman be them all?

Born in 1924, Jennet Mallow grew up with a disillusioned mother and a father haunted by memories of war. But Jennet has a talent - and a passion - for art. When she meets the handsome painter David Heaton they begin a tempestuous affair which takes them from the dank terraces of London to a bohemian artistic community in St Ives. But as Jennet's career flourishes, her relationship with David suffers - with potentially tragic consequences . . .

'The most beautiful, accomplished debut I have read for a long time . . . It is a powerful novel by a supremely talented artist' OBSERVER

'Enchanting . . . exquisitely written' DAILY EXPRESS

'A masterful portrait of a woman forging an unexpectedly dazzling career against the backdrop of familial duty' EASY LIVING

"A new star has arrived on the literary scene." - EVENING STANDARD

"What distinguishes this tale...is Kay's fine balance of romance and realism and her beautiful evocation of how paintings reflect their creator's experiences." - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

"one dazzingly brilliantly executed scene after another...A marvel." - INDEPENDENT

"An impressive debut novel that paints a vivid portrait of a woman torn between the conflicts of creativity and familial duty." - DAILY EXPRESS

"sensual...Francesca Kay knows - and shows - how good art takes on a life all of its own." - INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

"an absorbing and ambitious debut" - GUARDIAN

"The supple, verbless sentences of Fracesca Kay's accomplished first novel create a sensuous prose full of colour, taste and smell." - DAILY TELEGRAPH

"This is an outstanding literary debut, with masterful variation in style and characterisation of deep insight" - BOOKSELLER PAPERBACK PREVIEW

"The most astounding success lies in the conjuring up of a lifetime's work - a glorious succession of paintings brought to sustained, poetic life." - ART NEWSPAPER