The Fire Portrait: The page-turning novel of love and loss

Frances McDonald moves to a remote South African hamlet, where she is regarded with suspicion. She seeks an outlet by learning the local language, teaching art, and exhibiting her paintings. When war threatens, she meets a former love and is propelled on a journey to London and beyond.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 461 pages
Publication date: 20 January 2022
Publisher: Allison & Busby

I have taken risks throughout my life, some of which have been physical and others more daring and challenging. When Englishwoman Frances McDonald settles in a remote South African hamlet in the shadow of the Hex River Mountains, she is met with suspicion by the community. Trapped in a marriage of convenience, she seeks an escape by learning the local language, teaching art, and showcasing her paintings of the breathtaking veld landscape. However, the specter of war looms large, threatening to divide not only the country but also the town itself and jeopardize Frances's hard-fought acceptance.

While her husband departs to fight for the Allies, Frances has the opportunity to reunite with a former love. The joy of that unexpected reunion is tempered by a day that will forever alter her life. Emerging from the smoke and ash of a shocking fire, she embarks on a journey that takes her from the arid veld to the bright lights of London and beyond.

Through her experiences, Frances learns to embrace the unexpected and to find strength and resilience in the face of adversity. She discovers that true happiness comes not from material possessions or societal status but from pursuing one's passions, connecting with others, and leaving a lasting impact on the world.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780749026790