Join my mailing list for prizes and news!
NEW RELEASE
Rémi Victoire is the golden child among all the theatre orphans, who dreams of a life on a Paris stage. But when this future is stolen from him, Rémi and his faithful friend Pascal turn their backs on Paris forever.
With Saskia, a runaway orphan girl, Rémi and Pascal form a performing troupe, travelling through the fairytale lands that are the home of the Brothers Grimm, before finding a safe haven in Venice.
As Napoleon’s vast Empire crumbles, the French storytellers discover that Paris itself is now at risk of invasion and they fear for the loved ones they have left behind.
From picturesque villages, to Italian theatres, and on to the battlefields outside of Paris, this is a beautifully told story about the bonds of love and friendship, the importance of stories, and finding a place to belong.
Praise for Stephanie Parkyn:
‘A picaresque tale of love and loss and the transformative power of storytelling that moves from Paris to Germany in the time of the Grimms to Venice - loved it!’ Kate Forsyth author of The Wild Girl and Bitter Greens
‘..a novel of political turmoil, the desire for freedom, the role of art, and most of all it is a tale of friendship.’ Alyson Baker
‘ ..a notable talent for blending history with fiction and creating memorable characters.’ Theresa Smith Writes
Previous works
JOSEPHINE'S GARDEN
France, 1794. In the aftermath of the bloody end to the French Revolution, Rose de Beauharnais stumbles from prison on the day she is to be guillotined. Within a decade, she'll transform into the scandalous socialite who marries Napoleon Bonaparte, become Empress Josephine of France and build a garden of wonders with plants and animals she gathers from across the globe. But she must give Bonaparte an heir or she risks losing everything.
The lives of two other women from very different spheres are tied to the fate of the Empress Josephine. Marthe Desfriches has been widowed twice and is desperate to have a child as she enters a loveless marriage with an adversary of Josephine who despises her botanical ambitions. Anne Serreaux longs for a large family when she marries the man who becomes chief gardener for the Empress tasked with germinating the first Tasmanian blue gums in Europe. Each of these women faces obstacles in their relationships and in their quest to become mothers - experiencing trauma that will put all their lives at risk.
From the author of Into the World comes a richly imagined historical novel about obsession, love and marriage, and finding the courage to let go.
‘Stephanie Parkyn is a rising star in the historical fiction world.’ Mrs B’s Book Reviews
Praise for Josephine's Garden
"Josephine's Garden invites you to live, breathe and smell the air in post-revolutionary France...its a wonderful place and time for a novelist to uncover." Gill South, NZ Listener
"Superb historical detail, engrossing storytelling and a touching rendering of the rollercoaster life of a woman who appeared to 'have it all'." Jenny Wheeler, North & South magazine
"I was struck by the bold approach...impressed by Parkyn's imaginative ambition. The novel is rich in detail, particularly of horticulture and has a strong storyline. A perfect escape without ever leaving our shores." Steve Walker, The Press
Parkyn is a master of drawing the reader into a fully realised historical world and bringing women's voices out of the woodwork...The writing is elegant and easy to read with utterly beautiful descriptions...the research never feels heavy and the dialogue strikes just the right tone to support our immersion in the past." Where the Books Go
"This is where Stephanie Parkyn really shines as a writer of historical fiction. She recreates her setting to perfection, warts and all, and does not shy away from the ridiculous, nor the obscene...her work is coloured with an authenticity and attention to detail that any lover of historical fiction will appreciate." Theresa Smith Writes
"...we see - through Josephine's eyes - how ego drove Napoleon and his ambitions as she sought to create a beautiful antipodean garden in France. Intrigue and secrets fill this novel. Stephanie Parkyn has written this exquisitely...her research as brought these people to life." The Book Muse
"Parkyn gives insight into a passionate and turbulent time in France's history...this time comes alive through her creation of the feelings and responses of these vibrant, living, feeling and breathing women." Susannah Whaley, NZbooklovers
"Josephine's Garden is a story of unions, motherhood, botany, ambition and loss...a grand novel, wrapping the reader in a fertile tale of historical interest." Mrs B's Book Reviews
"I feel these characters in my bones." Angela Wauchop, Backstory Journal
Previous works
INTO THE WORLD
Abandoned by her lover and fleeing the wrath of her family, Marie-Louise must make a desperate choice. Find a man or become one.
Inspired by a true story, Into the World is a compelling novel of Marie-Louise Girardin’s extraordinary voyage to Australia and the South Pacific disguised as a man. Set in the age of scientific enlightenment and against the turmoil of the French Revolution, Marie-Louise escapes France seeking independence, but suffers grief and guilt for the baby she leaves behind. She encounters perilous oceans, exotic lands, and unforeseen loves on a journey to reclaim her child.
This is a novel about freedom and the power of stepping into the unknown.
Longlisted for the Tasmanian Premier's Literary Awards, Tasmania Book Prize 2019
Into the World is published by Allen & Unwin and is available in Australia and New Zealand where all good books are sold. Purchase online with these links:
Praise for Into the World
‘Enthralling novel, rich in historical detail…Highly recommended.’ Good Reading
"In this stunning debut, Parkyn takes her readers on a journey from the gardens of Versailles to the rugged coast of Van Diemen's Land...The tale is full of lush detail but the plot remains compelling...immersive, adventurous and full of heart." Where the Books Go
"Into the World is a rare beast - a swashbuckling adventure featuring a strong heroine set in the Age of Discovery. It's a hell of a story brought to live with page-turning pace." The Sydney Morning Herald.
"Triumphant all-round storytelling." Australian Womens Weekly
"Stephanie Parkyn writes like a poet, her prose is spare and beautiful..I was reminded of the experience of reading The Rose Grower by Michelle De Kretser." E.A. Gleeson author of Small Acts of Purpose and In Between the Dancing.
"A fascinating slice of history...rich evocation of the period...a must-read." Latitude Magazine
"Stephanie Parkyn is one very talented storyteller...I was completely invested in this historical adventure...Friendship, loyalty and love all have a place to bear in Into the World...I am eagerly awaiting what Parkyn will explore next." Mrs B's Book Reviews
"One of the strengths of this well written novel is the development of the characters...the scientists, captains and crewmates all fleshed out and given voices... The story is told from Girardin's point of view which offers a rare historical perspective from a woman." The Mercury, TasWeekends
"...an incredible story that I was hard pressed to put down each night. Girardin's observations of the journey and the places they encountered elevated this novel to a unique height. Stephanie Parkyn offers an exciting new voice...I am so looking forward to reading more from her in the future." Theresa Smith Writes
"..Shakespearean adventure of one courageous woman, Marie-Louise Girardin, on her journey to reclaim her child." State Cinema Bookshop, Hobart
"...refreshing to read a novel where the central female character isn't driven by romantic love, but rather, the love for her son." The Book Muse
"As a translator of French voyagers for the Alexander Turnbull Library and a devourer of 18th-century French history I was eager to see how [Parkyn] would treat d'Entrecasteaux's endeavours and it was fascinating to share them through Marie-Louise's vivid experiences. A gripping and gritty story." Cheryl Sawyer – author of La Créole
Join up
Subscribe to hear about giveaways and new works!
Follow Stephanie
© 2017 stephanie parkyn