💬 My Bookish Thoughts
I had high hopes for this book after my lovely friend raved about it and urged me to bump it up my TBR. She knows my reading tastes so well—and she was spot on yet again!

I fell in love with this novel within the first few pages. Lucy Steeds is an exquisite, sensuous writer. The Artist is brimming with atmosphere, tension, and the sultry heat of a Provençal summer. The stunningly vivid descriptions of art, food, and nature completely immersed me, engaging all the senses.

I love exploring how an artist works—how their moods shape their creations and the journey each piece takes as it comes to life. This novel captured that beautifully.

Ettie is a strong, talented young woman who deserves to be seen and heard, and Joseph, the aspiring journalist, is a wonderfully kind and gentle soul. Their longing to be loved and truly seen kept me eagerly turning the pages.

It’s a story of self-discovery, breaking free from expectations, passion, art, and resilience. I’m gobsmacked this is a debut—it’s so accomplished! I can't wait to see what Lucy writes next.

Big thanks to netgalley, John Murray Press and Lucy Steeds for the gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review. 🙏🏼

I am not that into art but it seems to crop up in almost every literary fiction I read recently. As in, someone is either an artist or art critic or constantly finds some meaning in visual art. I requested this book because I generally enjoy a tumultuous relationship because they usually involve very interesting characters. I am very much a character-driven reader. If I don't care about the people in a story, it's quite hard for me to enjoy it. The Artist is certainly full of highly intriguing characters.

The baking hot setting of Provence really added to the intense, close atmosphere in the house and between Ettie and Joseph. There was also an element of this closeness between Tartuffe and both Ettie and Joseph but obviously in a different way. He seemed to be clinging on tight to Ettie for reasons we learn later in the novel but he also seemed to form an attachment to Joseph. There is something very intimate about painting another human and I felt that odd, slightly sexual, chemistry emanating from Tartuffe towards his Young Man with Orange. Joseph never reciprocated but it suggested that there was more to Tartuffe's psyche than we were fully being shown.

Ultimately, the story is fantastic and it's a tale of women being excellent but hiding it. Ettie's talent completely blew my mind and it was heartbreaking to think that she couldn't show it to the world as herself. The fact that the three of them are mostly confined to this house in this stunning setting gave the book almost a haunted house story vibe. That close, small world where something just constantly seems to be a bit off gave it some a slight thriller-esque edge and I just couldn't stop reading.

A long time ago, a teenage girl who looks remarkably like me had to make a choice between STEM and art, in those days it was that simple, you go this way or that, you can’t do both. (Well that is certainly the way that it felt). That choice left with me unfulfilled yearnings and books that are centred in the art world help to fill that hole, they feel personal.

So anyway, this book! Lucy Steeds has produced the most delicious novel and I mean that literally, her evocative prose had me bathing in the radiant light of Provence and devouring the food that she describes - tantalising as it all was, certain items were added to my shopping list!

This is the escapists dream, but this book also contemplates art, the artist and art’s creation with a scrupulous eye.

Steeds shows us a time where women generally, had no voice in the art world, if they did it was backed by wealth and was barely a whisper.

She challenges the premise of the value put on art, what makes one artist sought after and another cast aside. Equal in technical skill, yet that signature in the corner of the painting is all. She continues to prod, with the subjectivity of forgery - two artists of equal technical skill, produce the same painting, each painting engenders the same feeling, yet one is worthless. Art isn’t just about ability granted, it is about originality, about catching the audience, saying want you want to say through your chosen medium.

The restorative powers of art are realised in the tender back story of Joseph’s brother Rupert, a surviving soldier who comes back from The Great War, changed, less somehow. This narrative is expertly contrasted with Ettie’s own experience of the war and how her experiences blocked creativity, she turns her back on it, it becomes too painful.

The question of creativity is underpinned by our resident artist, Edouard Tartuffe (I so wanted him to be real) - the Master of Light, the recluse, the monster. Here, Lucy creates the ‘true artist who lives for their art’ to perfection.

This book is beautiful, I was swept away by it completely - most definitely deserving of its place on the Women's Prize longlist.

This book is just incredible! How can it possibly be a debut? So well written, completely immersive and transportive. I felt as though I was in France whilst I was reading, so powerful was the writing. The descriptions of the light, the heat, the food... all just completely mesmerising. At first I thought this was Joseph's story but then Ettie emerged and captivated me. Such brilliantly crafted characters, along with the irascible Tartuffe. I wish I could go back to the beginning and read this for the first time all over again.

The Artist thoroughly deserves its place on the Women's Prize longlist and surely has to be in with a great chance of winning? I adored this book and hope it has all the success it deserves.

I loved this book. Absolutely five stars. The Artist pulled me right into 1920s Provence—the heat, the tension, the undercurrent of secrets simmering beneath the surface. Lucy Steeds’ writing is so immersive that I could practically feel the sun beating down on the remote farmhouse.

Ettie is a fascinating character. At first, she seems like she’s just there to quietly support her famous uncle’s work, but there’s so much more to her. Watching her develop as a character was deeply satisfying.

The book is packed with tension—despite seeming quite 'quiet' at first, it becomes clear the plot is building towards something big, but you’re not sure when or how it’ll all explode. The way Steeds plays with power, art, and identity is just perfect. It’s about ambition, about who gets to tell their own story, and about breaking free from the roles people expect you to play.

I devoured this book in a couple of days.. If you love historical fiction with an atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and a plot that keeps you hooked, The Artist is a must-read. Easily one of my favorites of the year.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This is a beautiful, carefully crafted novel about a young man entering the entirely foreign world of a well respected artist, hoping to find his own path in life. Joseph is adrift from his family and previous ambitions but seeks to discover the secrets behind his favourite art works by interviewing their creator, Tartuffe. The summer spent at his reclusive home which he shares with his niece, Ettie, will transform Joseph's whole outlook and the fortunes of all of them.
The book's strength is its attention to visual detail, lush with the sensuousness of an artist's brush strokes, which build a picture of increasing depth and sensitivity. It is a immersive and absorbing read, a work of art in itself. Highly recommended.

This is a very special read. Lots of atmosphere and wonderful descriptions of art and the process of working on art.
The tension and foreboding in the novel is very good. I loved every word.
All the (painted) stars!

A fairy tale of artistic creation
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In a sensuous and confident debut, Steeds examines the roots of art and creation, of love and passion and fear, marrying The Tempest and Beauty and the Beast into a hazy, sun-soaked historical novel that lingers long after the last page. Tyro journalist Joseph Adelaide treks to the French hinterlands to interview reclusive Edouard Tartuffe, a revered artist who has withdrawn from the world. Arriving at Tartuffe’s, Joseph is shocked to meet the great man’s niece Ettie, and to be rebuffed by the artist himself. But Joseph is allowed into Tartuffe’s studio as a model, and so the summer unfolds, as Joseph observes Tartuffe while he observes Joseph, and Ettie manages her silent support of her uncle, all of them keeping their own counsel until the truth comes smashing out.

This is a gloriously evocative novel, each of the characters drawn in complex narratives that loop around each other, mirroring the endless orbits that the three leads find themselves, circling secrets that drive them, that might sustain them, or perhaps excoriate them. The ending is telegraphed at the beginning but it is so much more than what might a reader might expect.

This is the third book I have read in the last year on women’s roles in art, craft and creation, and if perhaps this is a moment for that to lift its head above the parapet, then all to the good. This is very, very good, and I urge you to read it now.

Four and a half stars, rounded up to five.

The Artist by Lucy Steeds
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This debut novel has it all; romance, history, art and suspense. With a gentle touch and a slow build the story takes the reader into a carefully considered tableaux of still life. Vivid descriptions of food and colour are layered in paint-strokes and secrets.
We find ourselves in a small village in Provence in 1920’s, the aftermath of war is lingering and our three protagonist’s lives are intertwined as much as they’re also in collision.

The great painter and artist, Edouard Tartuffe, is a stubborn recluse. The young and naive writer, Joseph, is visiting in the hope he can write an article about the painters work and make a success of himself.
In the heart of it all is Ettie; Tartuffe’s niece and housekeeper - a woman with her own talents and dreams threatening to challenge the male dominated status quo.
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For lovers of fine art, Provence and historical fiction this novel will make you taste the juice from the plums and feel the hot, claustrophobic air of Summer.
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4/5 stars
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An advance copy from NetGalley was gifted in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a riveting read, it reminded me a little of The Muse by Jessie Burton. I was captivated by the expertly layered narrative I particularly enjoyed the writing style. A great story.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Many thanks to the author, Lucy Steeds, @netgalley and the publisher, @johnmurrays, for an ARC of this book, which was published in the UK and Ireland on 30 January. I found it to be a gripping, immersive read that looks at women's role in the creation of art.

In the early 1920's, a young, budding journalist, Joseph, travels to the south of France to interview the reclusive artist, Edouard Tartuffe. However, when he gets there, he learns that Tartouffe has no interest whatsoever in the interview or in explaining his art to the world. He does need a model for his new painting, Young Man with Orange, so Joseph is permitted to stay.

The stories of the solitary Tartouffe never mention Effie, his niece and chef, housekeeper, secretary and studio assistant. Joseph initially finds Effie to be an elusive figure, always silent and slipping out of sight. But as the summer progresses, Effie and Joseph draw closer, and he realises that in just looking at Edouard, he's been looking in the wrong place.

This is a great book that uses multiple techniques - Effie's experience, her thoughts, her point of view, Joseph's observations - to explore and refute the idea that women are artists, not merely muses. (That might seem obvious, but look at the number of female artists represented in any major gallery compared to the number of male artists and you realise how far we still have to come.)

The writing is superb, equally capable of catching the experience of shell-shock or Effie's time working in a hospital as it is of conjuring up what Tartouffe is painting. And as someone with a degree of aphantasia, I often find it difficult to picture scenes or objects described in novels in my mind. With this book, though, I still had a good sense of the art described and what it was meant to evoke because the writing is so precise and good at capturing the essence of an object or scene. I would definitely recommend it.

4.5

This debut novel blew me away!

Set in rural Provence, this was an intriguing, layered read surrounding Joseph, a young British journalist, who is invited to stay with the renowned but reclusive painter Tartuffe to write an article about his work. We also read from the point of view of Tartuffe’s niece, Ettie, who has spent her life shackled to her uncle, subjected to his cruel ways.

Tartuffe, as a character, is completely fictional but seemed so real. This was so well written and atmospheric with a hint of mystery running through it. I was completely hooked from the first few chapters.

I will be sharing a full review on my website linked below. A beautiful sweeping debut novel from Lucy Steeds.

The Artist is itself a work of art. A beautifully slow and enchanting story about one very special woman finding her way in a man's world and learning to live for herself. I think the moral of the story is - never underestimate the intelligence and quiet cunning of a woman with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The story begins in 1920 when a journalist Joseph is invited to visit the reclusive Édouard Tartuffe in his secluded French home. Unexpected and at first unwelcome, Édouard is soon accepted as long as he remains silent when observing the artist at work.

Perhaps even more compelling though is Edouard's niece Ettie. Moving like a shadow it takes time for Joseph to get to know her hidden depths, but when their connection grows, there is passion and secret trysts. Edouard has never wanted Ettie to have her own life and has never allowed her to explore her own talent.

But Ettie has an ally in Joseph and he sees her as nobody else ever has. Her confidence and determination grows and ultimately leads to her taking the most drastic of actions to ensure she is able to live the life she has always dreamt of.

The writing in this beautiful book is sublime and engrossing and I simply loved everything about it.

Set in the 1920’s after World War 1 in rural southeastern France.
Joseph Adelaide a young journalist is invited to the home of a reclusive artist Edouard Tartuffe, known as Tata. There he finds Tata and his niece Sylvette known as Ettie.
As a sweltering summer turns towards autumn does Joseph get the answers he seeks.

The writing is very descriptive and vivid and an interesting book to read. I did about halfway through guess correctly how the book would end.
It made me wish I had a talent to paint.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

Joseph, an aspiring journalist, is surprised and delighted to be invited to visit the reclusive artist Tartuffe at his studio in rural Provence.
He finds Tartuffe in the company of his niece, Ettie, who appears to fulfil many roles in the household.
As Summer progresses, Joseph is asked to model for Tartuffe and begins to develop some sort of relationship with him, while keeping with the constraints of the household. This becomes impossible as his relationship with Ettie begins to blossom.
This is a sensational novel, full of rich descriptive prose of the landscape and the paintings. The heat shimmers off the page and the tension builds as Joseph and Ettie try to keep their secrets Ettie is such a complex character and you can really emphasise with her as her backstory is explained. Poor Joseph is so desperate to break out from his family and is wretched with grief over his war wounded elder brother. The power that Tartuffe wields is despotic - relying on awe and fear to keep them in their place.
I loved this novel, and if you enjoy historical fiction I’m sure you will too.

Told by Ettie and Joseph, the former, a talented woman forced to live in the shadows, the latter a journalist who is keen on interviewing a mysterious artist and deals with his brother’s PTSD.
The novel is set in Provence, which is vivid as usual and beautifully described.
Interestingly, the writing was a mixed bag for me; wonderful for the setting, not subtle and complex for the actions by the characters.
Overall, this was my feel. I wanted to love this book, but despite the potential, the plot was not as deeply explored, the writing not groundbreaking, and sometimes on the nose for my tastes.
I am glad this book exists, and perhaps its potential will be explored in another book by the author.
I will not be reviewing this publicly. I can see that this book has a wide audience, and I hope it does well.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher John Murray Press for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: abuse, death, references to WW1, PTSD and mentions of attempted suicide

Provenance, France. 1920.
The reclusive artist and genius Edouard Tartuffe and his niece Ettie live in the rural countryside, and despite his fame, Tartuffe has never spoken about himself or his process. When Joseph, an eager British journalist hoping to write an article about his hero Tartuffe, is picked as the next model for Tartuffe’s next painting, he is shown a world and a life he could never have expected. Ettie, meanwhile, is always present but rarely noticed despite the fact that she prepares Tartuffe’s canvases, cooks and cleans for him and keeps the studio organised to his particular tastes. She has never been given the chance to study, travel or explore her desire to draw, despite knowing that she has a talent for it. Soon enough Ettie and Joseph become close, brought together by the complicated Tartuffe, and as the summer grows hotter, things become even more confusing when Joseph realises that maybe Tartuffe isn’t the genius he expected- but Ettie is.

This book pulled me in so swiftly, the next time I looked up I’d read over half. The writing and language used in ‘The Artist’ is just gorgeous, particularly in how Joseph and Ettie look at the isolated world of Tartuffe’s house and their lives. Joseph is an idealist at heart, his brother is in hospital with severe PTSD after the war which has thrown him, and he hopes that he can decipher the mysteries behind Tartuffe’s eccentric genius. The man he meets is nothing like the ‘Master of Light’ that he expected, and once he becomes Tartuffe’s sitter, it becomes more than just a job. Likewise, Ettie is quiet and brilliant, withdrawn and isolated; her story really resonated with me, her uncle feels threatened by the idea of her artistic talent and so has cut her off, but Effie still attempts to be an artist in secret. Throughout the whole book you feel the heat and weight of the French summer, the frustration Joseph feels as he tries to get answers from Tartuffe and Ettie and the taste of the food Tartuffe so faithfully paints even when people are trying to eat it. ‘The Artist’ was the perfect book for me as an art lover and art history student but I think this could be enjoyed by anyone, the story is so smoothly written and the themes of trauma, identity, family and love are managed really well. It really questions the idea of artists and their gifts, about who gets to have that title and why so often equally amazing women are pushed to the side. This was such a powerful debut and a book I’ll definitely come back to in the future, I loved it.

Rating: 4.5/5

"Here was the man who could create beauty from nothing. Here was an artist who had dined with Van Gogh and argued with Cezanne, Who had expanded the boundaries of paint and colour and light itself." This evocative quote sets the stage for Lucy Steeds' debut novel, "The Artist," a captivating historical fiction that transports readers to the scorching landscapes of 1920s Provence.

The novel centers around Edouard Tartuffe, a renowned but reclusive and excentric painter, who never gives interviews. Tartuffe's reclusion is disrupted by the arrival of Joseph, a young English journalist seeking to consolidate his career by interviewing the great painter. Soon Joseph understands this interview will come with a cost. Joseph will have to pose for Tartuffe as a model for what will become his most famous work of art. While Joseph pursues his professional ambitions, the true heart of the story lies in the awakening of Ettie, Tartuffe's niece and a young woman yearning for a life beyond the confines of her uncle's isolated world.

The romance between Joseph and Ettie unfolds slowly and deliberately, allowing for a nuanced exploration of their individual desires and the societal constraints they face. While some may find the pacing slow, it allows for a deeper immersion in the atmosphere and a more profound understanding of the characters' internal struggles. The story is never dull. Steed wastes no word.

"The Artist" is more than just a historical romance; it's a thoughtful exploration of artistic inspiration, the pressures of fame, and the search for one's own identity in a rapidly changing world. Steeds' prose is both elegant and evocative, capturing the details of 1920s Provence with vivid imagery. It is hard to fathom this is a debut and I will be reading more of her work.

I would highly recommend The Artist for readers who appreciate character-driven historical fiction, particularly those with an interest in art, the complexities of human relationships, and the enduring impact of historical events.

Failed artist Joseph writes a column for a new magazine and he has managed to get invited to the Provence home of legendary recluse Edouard Tartuffe. It is 1920 and Joseph is escaping the post-War malaise where his brother is suffering from shell-shock and he has been disowned by his father. Ettie is Tartuffe's niece, tied to her uncle she has found a way to express herself as an artist but longs to be free.
This novel is onethat, for a change, really lives up to the hype. The writing is very evocative of the dry, scented, hot provencal summer and the passion for art and what it really means comes through. It's not the sort of story I would rave about but this is a confident and powerful debut.