The Sunflowers, by Sheramy Bundrick: to be published in 2009
On Tuesday I went to Charles-De-Gaulle Airport and noticed painted sunflowers everywhere. I reflected on how great an idea that was to cheer up an otherwise dreary place, and was reminded of Sheramy and her novel.
And the next day I visited her (beautiful) blog and read this:
I am thrilled to announce that my novel inspired by the art and life of Vincent van Gogh, The Sunflowers, will be published with Avon A—the trade-paperback imprint of Avon/HarperCollins—in Fall 2009... (more)I am so happy for you, Sheramy! Selfishly, I am thrilled as a reader as well. New art-themed, French-themed historical fiction...
Congratulations again!
Thank you for the kind post, Catherine! I'm ridiculously excited. My story takes place mainly in Arles, with forays to Saint-Remy, Paris, and Auvers-sur-Oise, so it's France all the way. My heroine, of course, is Provencal -- I had fun reading up on Provencal customs and even learning some of the local dialect. I hope others will enjoy reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it!
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You are excited, but it's not ridiculous at all. This is a milestone!
As for Provencal, you are going to get yourself killed if you call it a local dialect.
It is the Roman language, Gabrielle's native language, the native language of my ancestors! Probably closer to classical Latin than the other modern Latin languages, which are mostly derived from late forms of Latin slangs. Delors is the French transcription of del'hort, which means "of the garden" in the Roman language.
I can put you in touch with native speakers, if need be, for the final editing of the book. One of my friends in LA is from Fontvieille, and she can even sing the Provencal national anthem for you if you wish (don't mention the local dialect, though.)
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Oh my, I had no idea 'local dialect' was a fiery phrase...I meant dialect of Provencal language local to Arles. The Provencal language as resurrected by the Felibres & Frederic Mistral is the same as the Roman language? [I see you have emailed me...will discuss there!]
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Yes, it is the same language. This makes me realize that I should post to clarify the issue.
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You will be pleased to know that nowhere in the novel do I say "local dialect"!
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Great! Though Vincent could say it, of course.
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He did use the term 'patois' in his letters, but I decided to put that term into the mouth of a character Rachel & I like much, much less...M. Gauguin...
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Oh you don't like Gauguin... Yes, Gauguin was definitely a bourgeois, he might have said it.
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