The Green Lady: A Spirit, a Story, a Place

The Green Lady is a poignant, brilliant exploration of the relationships between children and their teachers, written by Sally Bayley in the style of her memoir Girl with Dove. It follows the protagonist's search for artistic education and a sense of self, and considers the paths to happiness and the limitations social convention imposes. It is part novel, part memoir, and continues the traditions of Virginia Woolf's Orlando as an imagined biography.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

From the acclaimed author Sally Bayley, "The Green Lady" emerges as a poignant and brilliant exploration of the intricate relationships between children and their teachers. In the vein of her memoir "Girl with Dove," this book delves into a child's quest for artistic education and a profound sense of self-discovery. Through her lyrical and playful writing, Bayley transports readers into an eccentric world filled with teachers, guardians, and guiding spirits of place. Inspired by her female teachers and guided by the artist J.M.W. Turner, the protagonist embarks on a journey to uncover her maternal ancestors, with a particular focus on her grandmother, Edna May Turner. Drawing upon the narratives of other remarkable women who have pursued different paths to independence and artistic freedom, Bayley examines the pathways to happiness and the constraints imposed by societal conventions. Part novel, part memoir, "The Green Lady" continues the legacy of Virginia Woolf's "Orlando" as an imagined biography that acutely recognizes the importance of creating a personal space for thriving. As one of the book's foster children, Bayley reminds us that families and homes can be found and constructed within the realms of literature, the arts, and the natural beauty of green spaces.

Weight: 322g
Dimension: 143 x 225 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008414221