The next episode in our Imagining the Past podcast season is with Lauren Chater. Our host, Greg Johnson, chats with Lauren about all things beautiful, including the research and writing of her new novel, The Beauties, a seductive story of rivalry and artistic passion in Charles II’s court.
about lauren chater
Lauren Chater is the author of the historical novels The Lace Weaver, Gulliver’s Wife and The Winter Dress, as well as the baking compendium Well Read Cookies – Beautiful Biscuits Inspired by Great Literature. Her recent novel, The Beauties, is set in Restoration England.
In 2018 she was awarded a grant by the Neilma Sidney Literary Fund to travel to the Netherlands to research her third novel The Winter Dress, inspired by a real 17th century gown found off the Dutch coast in 2014. The novel was longlisted in the 2022 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She has made appearances at the Brisbane Writers Festival, Storyfest, the Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival and the Tamar Valley Writers’ Festival, as well as many others. She is currently completing her Masters of Cultural Heritage through Deakin University. For further information:
About the book
An incomparable beauty. A promise to a king. A portrait that can never be completed.
When Emilia Lennox loses everything after her husband’s lands and title are confiscated, her beauty is her best bargaining chip with the only man who can restore their fortunes: King Charles II himself.
But the king’s favour comes at a price. He will pardon Emilia’s husband only if she agrees to be his mistress. Torn, Emilia comes up with a condition of her own: she will consent, but not until her portrait hangs among the famed Windsor Beauties, a series commissioned by the Duchess of York to showcase the fairest women in the royal retinue.
For Henry Greenhill, ambitious assistant to the court painter, the opportunity to paint Emilia’s portrait is a chance to step out of his master’s shadow. But his sitter proves as evasive as she is beautiful, and with barely a sketch to show for his efforts, Henry’s career is on the line.
As the king’s patience wears thin, it’s clear that more than creative talent will be needed to capture this incomparable beauty on canvas …
From the bestselling author of The Lace Weavercomes this seductive story of rivalry, artistic passion and a woman bold enough to wield her beauty as a weapon.
aBOUT IMAGINING THE PAST PODCAST
The Imagining the Past podcast series features authors appearing at the Historical Novel Society Australasia biennial conferences or who have been recognised in our $150,000 ARA Historical Novel Prize.
Our hosts, Kelly Gardiner and Greg Johnston, discuss researching, writing and publishing historical fiction with acclaimed writers of the genre in its many forms from crime to fantasy to literary fiction, set in eras stretching from ancient times to the Swinging Sixties, and for readers of all ages.
KEY DATES FOR 2024
Longlists Announced: 4 September
Shortlists Announced: 2 October
Winners Announced: 23 October
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