The Laing Art Gallery is still a cultural hub in the city today. The paintings mentioned in this book (apart from Agnes’ fictional works) were in fact part of the Laing’s collection in the 1920s, when my grandma Betty and her sister Emma would sometimes visit. The curator, Dante Sherman, is an entirely made-up character, and there is no suggestion whatsoever that any of the Laing staff at the time (or since) were involved in procuring dodgy artwork. The layout of the building, with its intersecting galleries and the tower that can only be reached from a staircase onto the roof, is historically accurate. The stables are now part of the gallery’s workrooms, and the staircase – and the tower – are still there.
The only historical tweak I have made in this novel is to bring forward the UK release of The Humming Bird film to autumn 1924 from February 1925. Otherwise, to the best of my knowledge, all historical references in this book are accurate. However, errors are still sometimes made: to err is human, to forgive divine.
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
1.Poppy is heading home for her holidays when, out of guilt and a sense of duty, she is dragged into working with Agnes. Has anything similar ever happened to you? How do you balance life and work?
2.One of the main themes of the book is the relationship between mothers and their children. Discuss how this is explored with the various characters.
3.In light of recent high-profile paedophile cases – as well as the #MeToo movement – what issues are raised in the book that still have resonance today?
4.Another theme (which occurs in all the Poppy Denby books) is the lack of opportunity for women to pursue careers outside of the home. However, in The Art Fiasco, that is broadened to embrace the issue of class. Compare Agnes, Poppy, Delilah, and the young girl Edna and consider how their class backgrounds affect their opportunities.
5.Forgiveness and unforgiveness are demonstrated by different characters in the story. Who forgives, who struggles to, and who refuses to? What effect does this have on their lives and the lives of those around them?
6.Is there anything you would like to ask the author? If so, tweet her @fionaveitchsmit or send a message via her website www.poppydenby.com
FOR FURTHER READING …
Visit www.poppydenby.com for more historical information on the period, gorgeous pictures of 1920s fashion and décor, audio and video links to 1920s music and news clips, a link to the author’s website, as well as news about upcoming titles in the Poppy Denby Investigates series.
Baxter, John. Montmartre: Paris’s Village of Art and Sin. Harper Collins, New York, 2017.
Hepplewhite, Peter. Newcastle upon Tyne. Tempus Publishing, Port Stroud, 2002.
Kirkup, Mike. Ashington and its Mining Community. Tempus Publishing, Port Stroud, 2004.
Morgan, Alan. Heaton: From Farms to Foundries. Tyne Bridge Publishing, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2012.
Morphet, Richard. British Painting 1910–1945. Tate Gallery, London, 1967.
Olian, JoAnne, ed. Authentic French Fashions of the Twenties. Dover Publications, New York, 1990.
Schofield, Linda. Laing Art Gallery Companion Guide. Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers, London, 2014.
Shepherd, Janet & Shepherd, John. 1920s Britain. Shire Living Histories, Shire Publications, Oxford, 2010.
Shrimpton, Jayne. Fashion in the 1920s. Shire Publications, Oxford, 2013.
Spalding, Frances. Vanessa Bell: Portrait of the Bloomsbury Artist. Tauris Parke Paperbacks, London, 2016.
For more information and fun photos about Poppy and her world go to: www.poppydenby.com
[Poppy Denby 05] - The Art Fiasco Page 31