What happens when three women's lives collide in the orbit of one of history's most celebrated artists?
Author of The Flames, The Times winner for Best Historical Fiction Books in 2022, Sophie Haydock will unveil her latest historical fiction work Madame Matisse.
In art, as in life, this is a time when the rules were made to be broken...
Amelie is first drawn to Henri Matisse as a way of escaping the conventional life expected of her. Lydia Delectorskaya is a young Russian emigree, who fled her homeland following the death of her mother and eventually finds employment with the Matisse family. Marguerite is Matisse's eldest daughter; she must find her own way to make her mark and to navigate divided loyalties.
Based on a true story, Madame Matisse is a stunning novel about drama and betrayal; emotion and sex; glamour and tragedy, all set in the hotbed of the 1930s art movement in France.
In conversation with Hannah Hutchings-Georgiou, together they will discuss the hidden stories behind Matisse’s paintings and the women who helped shape his legacy. Drawing on her extensive work in the arts and curator of the Folkestone Book Festival, Sophie shares her journey as an author, journalist, marathon runner, and mud larker.
"Gorgeously evocative, ambitious in its scope, Madame Matisse sweeps through many of the major events of the twentieth century, whilst remaining laudably faithful to the true coordinates of people, places, artworks and events." Lucy Caldwell, author of These Days

The ‘stream and book’ package includes a unique ticket for the stream, and a copy of Madame Matisse (RRP £18.99) deliverable to any UK or international address.
The event will initially be broadcast on 12 March at 6.30pm UK time. It will be available to view up to two weeks after the event has ended and can be accessed Worldwide. If you live in a time zone that does not suit the initial broadcast time you can watch it at any point after the initial showing for two weeks.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].