Jonathan Smith (1)

This novel tells the story of real life events: The time that painters Alfred Munnings, Laura Knight and Harold Knight, and Florence Carter-Wood as well as Captain Gilbert Evans spent in Cornwall in the years before World War One. It starts in 1949 with Munnings's scandalous valedictory speech at the Royal Academy and then goes back in time to his arrival at Lamorna Cove where he meets Gilbert and the others. They spend a couple of years at this beautiful place, years that are as glorious as they are difficult, years full of art, poetry and celebrations, but also insecurity and loss.

The author conjures up a picture of these golden times before the war and he conveys a real sense of place that lets the reader breathe the salty air and smell the paint. I only have the most basic knowledge of these painters, but now I feel like I have been there with them. Of course it is a novel, but Jonathan Smith was supported by David Evans, the grandson of Gilbert Evans, and had access to the latter's diaries.

I don't think that this novel is for everyone, and it features dark topics like suicide and illness, but I just loved the characters and the atmosphere and every word struck a chord with me. As always when I truly love a book, my words feel inadequate when I try to write a review and describe just what I love about it - so I'll leave it at that and just say that this story touched my soul.… (more)