Alice Heard Williams's Books

Seeking the High Yellow Note

Vincent Van Gogh in Provence, a Novel

By: Alice Heard Williams

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Seeking the High Yellow Note

Vincent Van Gogh in Provence, a Novel

By: Alice Heard Williams

Imagine sitting in a blossoming orchard beside an unknown Vincent van Gogh, watching him paint as he talks of his hopes, his dreams. Minette Ginoux, a young Arlesienne, befriends him when he arrives during a February snowstorm and quickly becomes his confidant. The friendship deepens, but dark clouds threaten this arcadia as Minette discovers Vincents secret moods and habits which shock and repel. The arrival of Paul Gauguin precipitates a string of disasters affecting them both when conflicts erupt between the two men. Set in a land of idyllic natural beauty, the novel describes the art of van Gogh at its most compelling and reveals a young girls deepest feelings for the artist. Aunt Titi, sister Colette, handsome Etienne Martin who is seeking a wife, the townspeople of Arles, mingle in a rich and suspense- filled drama celebrating the struggles of a gifted yet tormented painter. READING GROUP GUIDE for Seeking the High Yellow Note, Vincent Van Gogh in Provence 1. Seeking the High Yellow Note is a novel about the artist Vincent Van Gogh told by Minette Ginoux, a young girl living in Arles with whom he shares a friendship. Set in Provence, during his most productive artistic period, the novel describes the setting and his works in rich detail. Discuss some of the reasons why Van Gogh flourished as a painter in this setting. 2. Through Van Goghs interaction with Minette and the people around him, the personality of the artist is revealed. Vincent tells Minette of his previous failed attempts to succeed in a relationship with women. (See p. 51). Why do you think he was successful in forming a friendship with Minette? 3. It becomes quickly apparent to the reader how dependent Vincent became on the support of his brother Theo, both financially and emotionally. Would you describe such a close bond with a sibling usual or unusual within the bonds of family? Why? Do you think Vincent could have painted as he did without his brothers support? 4. The arrival of Paul Gauguin is fully described in the book (p. 81). What did Gauguin contribute to Van Gogh in furthering his painting? What responsibility does he bear for Vincents decline and illness? Discuss differences in painting techniques of the two artists. 5. Follow the development of the friendship between Minette and Etienne Martin, the young joiner from Nimes. At what point does she give up the possibility of Vincent as a suitor? (See p. 75). Vincent painted The Girl with Coffee Tinted Skin (Minette) and The Young Frenchman of Modern Times (Etienne). Discuss the friendship of Vincent and Etienne. 6. When Vincent speaks of The High Yellow Note in his painting, what does he mean? (p. 126). 7. The book is meant to give a picture of life in Provence in the late 1800s. What was your feeling about farm life as described by Minette on the Martin mas, or farm? Minette and her sister Colette worked as waitresses in the cafe of their Aunt Titi in the town of Arles. How was their life different from that of young girls today? 8. In 1889 Vincent voluntarily entered the asylum at Saint Remy, hoping to receive treatment for his illness. Minette paid one visit to him during this time (p. 175). How would you describe the asylum and the treatment Vincent received there? What caused Vincents illness? Several possibilities have been mentioned, but no conclusions drawn (p.183). 9. Vincent Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime, The Red Vineyard, now in the Pushkin Museum, Moscow. (See p. 99). What do you think was the reason for this? Why did sales of his paintings begin so soon after his death? What was the effect of his death on Minette and Etienne? On Theo Van Gogh?

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Page Count

214

Publisher

Xlibris Corporation

Published Date

ISBN 10

1462824730

ISBN 13

9781462824731

Pensione Anastasia

By: Alice Heard Williams

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Pensione Anastasia

By: Alice Heard Williams

Novels of Alice Heard Williams embrace a common theme: the power and profound nature of great art. An art historian, she has lectured in America and England. She lives in Delray Beach FL and Lynchburg VA. An earlier novel of Vincent van Gogh, Seeking the High Yellow Note, was named by amazon.com as one of the twenty best books on Provence. Remembering Piero followed the life of Early Renaissance painter Piero della Francesca; Pensione Anastasia traced the theft of an ancient amulet in Greece and in London.

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Page Count

189

Publisher

Xlibris Corporation

Published Date

ISBN 10

1453517863

ISBN 13

9781453517864

Missing in Toscana

An Emma Darling Suspense Novel

By: Alice Heard Williams

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Missing in Toscana

An Emma Darling Suspense Novel

By: Alice Heard Williams

Emma felt herself perspiring, dizzy, her heart pounding as she was dragged along. She stumbled, blind with the covering over her head, not sure what her footing was nor where she was being taken. Desperately trying to take note of her surroundings, she counted twenty footsteps, then felt something hard underfoot as the hands grasping her arms shoved her in an abrupt turn to the left. That meant they had left the gallery where the Piero della Francescas were displayed for the corridor. Her entire body trembled with fright. Alice Heard Williams has done it again! The heroine of Pensione Anastasia, American Emma Darling, now an art history teacher at a girls school in London, leads her students to Tuscany to follow the Piero Trail looking at paintings by Piero della Francesca. They quickly become witnesses to an art heist, kidnapping and threats of bodily harm. Emma almost loses her heart to the charming brown-eyed Italian Inspector Luigi Rovere, but her friend Dr. Sam MacGregor arrives from Scotland to restore calm and balance along with help in recovery of the missing masterpiece. A must read for those who love mystery and art and have been captured by the response to great paintings in Alice Heard Williams previous works.

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Page Count

331

Publisher

Xlibris Corporation

Published Date

ISBN 10

1462824749

ISBN 13

9781462824748

Tracking The Carpaccio

By: Alice Heard Williams

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Tracking The Carpaccio

By: Alice Heard Williams

A painting by the Renaissance artist Carpaccio has disappeared from the collection of the late Lord William Elmley, an Englishman who lived in Venice for many years, and the engaging American art historian Emma Darling is determined to find it. Art thieves come sniffing and a battle of wills ensues. Emma’s new friends Riccardo and Vittoria struggle with her to discover and protect the missing masterpiece. Led by Venice Police Inspector Luigi Dario and aided by Dr. Sam McGregor, she struggles, her bravery sorely tested. Follow her and her companions as they visit the Lido, Venice’s island of beaches, the artisan haven of Dorsoduro, raucous open-air markets of the Rialto, and the sleepy island of Torcello—all in search of the painting. As surely as the gondolas skim the Grand Canal, this gripping book will keep you at the edge of your seat as suspense proliferates with each flip of the page. Comments "Emma has replaced Miss Marple in my life! Good for you, Alice!" — Charlotte Jacobs, California "I absolutely loved the book. Most of the places were familiar to me and the few others, I found with Mapquest. It was like a trip to Venice, and I said as much on my Facebook page. I also appreciate the readable print. Three of my granddaughters visited Venice last summer and I know they'll love the book too!" — Terry Stacy, Kentucky "I'm so excited to read Tracking the Carpaccio and to order the other two books of the trilogy." — Amanda H. Fields, Minnesota "Most of all we need to find Signorina Darling!" With those words from Police Inspector Luigi Dario I gave my heart to the search for Emma Darling. Building on the literary appeal of Venice as a city of conspiracy and danger, the author took me on a thrilling track following, and losing, the Darling art historian through canals and islands known for hiding secrets. Secrecy feeds the underlying drama of law, art history and family in this thriller. —Mary Faraci, Florida

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Page Count

352

Publisher

Xlibris Corporation

Published Date

ISBN 10

1462818137

ISBN 13

9781462818136

Voices and Visions

Study Guide

By: Alice Rabi Lichtenstein

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Voices and Visions

Study Guide

By: Alice Rabi Lichtenstein

This is a study guide to accompany the television course in modern American poetry, Voices & visions.

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Page Count

244

Published Date

ISBN 10

0840346158

ISBN 13

9780840346155

Book's by Alice Heard Williams

Seeking the High Yellow Note

Seeking the High Yellow Note

Pensione Anastasia

Pensione Anastasia

Missing in Toscana

Missing in Toscana

Tracking The Carpaccio

Tracking The Carpaccio

Voices and Visions

Voices and Visions

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