THE FLAMES

SOPHIE HAYDOCK’S NOVEL ABOUT EGON SCHIELE

Inspired by the true story of four women and the scandalous artist who engulfed their lives

buy THE FLAMES

IN VIENNA, A NEW CENTURY IS DAWNING…

It’s 1913 and Austria’s beautiful capital is teeming with art, music and radical ideas. In this new world, anything seems possible...

Daughters of a prominent Viennese family, Edith and Adele are expected to follow the rules — to marry well, and produce children. Gertrude is in thrall to her flamboyant older brother. Marked by a traumatic childhood, she envies the freedom so readily granted to him. Vally was born into poverty but is making her way in the world as a model for the eminent artist Gustav Klimt.

Fierce, passionate and determined, none of these women is quite what they seem. But their lives are set on a collision course when they become entangled with the controversial young artist Egon Schiele whose work — and private life — are sending shockwaves through society. All it will take is a single act of betrayal to set their world on fire.

‘In Sophie Haydock's impressive debut these women leap from Schiele's canvases, becoming fascinating and complex characters’

– THE TIMES, BEST HISTORICAL FICTION BOOKS OF 2022

  • 'The Flames paints a history so detailed and vivid that we feel we were there in the flesh. A book to get lost in, a great feat of a debut'

    DBC PIERRE, BOOKER PRIZE WINNER

  • 'I knew nothing of Egon Schiele. I'm now obsessed, and heartbroken. An unforgettable book about wanting more for ourselves than we are told we are allowed'

    ERICKA WALLER, AUTHOR OF DOG DAYS

  • 'MAGNIFICENT. Feels destined to be a classic - exquisitely crafted and so absorbing. I loved it and REFUSE to accept it is a debut. It's simply too good'

    KATIE LOWE, AUTHOR OF THE FURIES

  • 'Thought provoking, illuminating and fascinating - I so enjoyed discovering the world and the women behind works of art I adore'

    KATE SAWYER, AUTHOR OF THE STRANDING

  • 'Full of scandal, love, betrayal, and heartache ... Adele, Gertrude, Vally and Edith are given voices loud and clear'

    COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE

  • 'The four women who loved Egon Schiele come back to life, combining an exquisite sense of place and era with a passion and sensuality that transcend time altogether'

    ISABEL COSTELLO, AUTHOR OF SCENT

  • 'The story of Egon Schiele’s women will no doubt move its readers to tears'

    REBECCA F JOHN, AUTHOR OF THE HAUNTING OF HENRY TWIST

  • 'Both fascinating and compelling. I loved all four women... and the final scenes with Egon were truly extraordinary'

    ELODIE HARPER, AUTHOR OF THE WOLF DEN

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