Claire Clairmont – the incredible woman that history tried to forget.
But in the year that will mark the 200 year anniversary of Lord Byron's death, Claire will finally find her voice, and tell her side of the story of that fateful Geneva trip.
Geneva.
They always come back to it, somehow.
They're the only ones who know what took place there.
1816. A massive volcanic eruption has caused the worst storms that Europe has seen in decades, yet Percy and Mary Shelley have chosen to visit the infamous Lord Byron at his villa on Lake Geneva. It wasn't their idea: Mary's eighteen year old step-sister, Claire Clairmont, insisted.
But the reason for Claire's visit is more pressing than a summer escape with the most famous writers in the world. She's pregnant with Byron's child – a child Byron doesn't want, and scarcely believes is his.
Claire has the world in her grasp. This trip should have given her everything she ever dreamed of. But within days, her life will be in ruins.
History has all but forgotten her story – but she will not be silenced.
‘An absorbing, intoxicating page-turner about a woman who deserves to be remembered.’
JENNIFER SAINT
Lesley McDowell’s debut novel The Picnic came out in 2007. In 2010 she published Between the Sheets: The Literary Liaisons of Nine 20th-Century Women Writers, which was shortlisted for the non-fiction prize in the 2011 Scottish Book Awards. Her second novel Unfashioned Creatures, about Mary Shelley's Scottish childhood friend, was published in 2013. Lesley was a literary critic for The Herald, The Scotsman, The Independent, TLS and others. She has a PhD on the work of James Joyce, and has won three Creative Scotland writers' bursaries. Clairmont is her third novel.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Join bestselling author Tom Hindle at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as he brings you his latest locked-room destination mystery, perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz and Knives Out.
READ MOREWhat happens when you realise winning means betting on others losing? Gary Stevenson knows first-hand. Join him at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as he discusses his life and ideas.
READ MOREGlasgow Mitchell Library Classics Book Group runs on the first Thursday of each month with the library kindly providing books for all members, so there is no cost involved!
READ MOREJoin bestselling author Tom Hindle at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as he brings you his latest locked-room destination mystery, perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz and Knives Out.
READ MOREWhat happens when you realise winning means betting on others losing? Gary Stevenson knows first-hand. Join him at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as he discusses his life and ideas.
READ MORECeltic Connections proudly presents Coorie Doon: A Scottish Lullaby Story with Jackie Kay, come and coorie doon for an hour of story and song for children and adults!
READ MOREClan-Comics Group proudly presents the Glasgow Comic Art Festival, an event celebrating comics and small-press publishing, being held at Glasgow Zine Library on Sunday 2nd February!
READ MORECome join Our Book Club for a fun and engaging book discussion at the Innis & Gunn Brewery Taproom Glasgow City Centre on Sunday 2nd February!
READ MOREJoin the Lavender Menace bookshop co-founder Sigrid Nielsen and other members of the community group, for a showing of the documentary film Coming Out.
READ MORECome along and coorie in and celebrate the Baird's birthday at the Mitchell Library's fun Scots language family day on Saturday 8th February!
READ MOREFor Glasgow Libraries first author event in the newly refurbished Ibrox Library, they welcome Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning author D V Bishop to discuss his new novel!
READ MORE