The Girl from the Folies Bergere

A man is drawn and mesmerised by a young mysterious girl on a gallery wall. A magical vortex spins him through, beyond the stretched canvas and delicate marks in paint, to a world created by Impressionist painter, Eduard Manet. What follows is a series of events which cause his life to spiral out of control.
This statement provides a backdrop to my novel, ‘The Girl at the Folies Bergere’ Please find attached three selected chapters and a synopsis. The story is a sci fi drama with historical and contemporary settings and consists of approximately 90,000 words. It is now a complete manuscript and would appeal both to a male and female readership of varying age groups.
The story spins the main character through time, back and forth, weaving conflicts of the heart and mind. poses the question of death when time has shifted. A moral point is at stake as we wonder where the young girl might settle. Just what are the consequences for art when it appears paintings are, and perhaps have always been, a vessel for movement between periods. Manet, the majestic Impressionist giant, sits at the core of a confusion of dilemmas and unfathomable enquiries. Could he be the key, with his cryptic lines?
A domestic harmony begins to bleed as mistrust and broken promises fester. A marriage unravels and the lead character sinks further into the past and to despair. It may be that only his children can bring him back. The relationship, especially with his son, reminds him of a bond so impermeable, we all understand and pray he makes the right decision. Yet, with assumed clarity and a way forward, a cataclysmic accident threatens everything.
The mystery girl is based on the young lady in Eduard Manet’s famous painting, A Bar at the Folies Bergere. Leo Kent is taken back to Paris in 1880. He believes he has been brought back to save Suzon Arouet from something terrible happening. As the drama unfolds Kent believes he must protect Suzon from her terrifying pimp, Lefevre. Kent bounces back and forth in time and the obsession takes a toll on his marriage to Gina. A friend Bernard offers support and some insights into strange phenomena, but it may be too late. The climax of the story comes with the murder of Lefevre and prevention of Suzon being raped by a sinister character. We eventually find out it is a man she serves in the famous painting.
During his time in Paris Kent meets the artist Eduard Manet and they talk about the painting and art at the time. When leaving Manet’s studio he realises that the artist must have experienced time travel at some point because of a piece of work sat hidden in the corner of his room.