Kipling & Trix

Description

Kipling & Trix

by Mary Hamer

Winner of the Virginia Prize for Fiction 2011

• “A tour-de-force of imaginative fiction… lyrically written, if often harrowing, tale of surprising passion.” Huffington Post
• unique insight into the life of Rudyard Kipling, one of the most influential literary figures of the twentieth century.
• Explores the truth about Alice “Trix” Kipling, delving into the heart of the relationship between a difficult brother and his troubled sister.

 

Rudyard Kipling and Alice”Trix” Kipling:

both brother and sister grew up to become writers, although one lived in the shadow of the other’s genius.

As small children, Rudyard Kipling and his sister Trix lived an enchanted life in India playing with their beloved servants and running around freely. Their innocent happiness came to an abrupt end when they were sent back to England to live with strangers and forced to conform to the strict rules of Edwardian society in an alien country.

Both brother and sister grew up to become writers, although one lived in the shadow of the other’s genius. Rudyard Kipling’s incredible life is known to many while his poetry and books have been read by millions but what became of his talented younger sister? Her story, full of love and lies, became a distressing family secret that was hidden from the world…

Mary Hamer has unearthed the truth about Alice Kipling, known to her family affectionately as Trix. In this fictionalised account of their lives, the author goes to the heart of the relationship between a difficult brother and his troubled sister and explores how their early lives shaped the very different people they were later to become.

Set against a lavish backdrop of colonial India, austere Edwardian England and Vermont, USA, New England, Kipling & Trix provides a unique insight into the life of one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century; one whose private life was obsessively well-guarded. An incredible and theatrical tale, Hamer’s debut novel explores the truth about Alice Kipling, delving into the heart of the relationship between a difficult brother and his troubled sister.

Reviews

“A historical delight.” Waterstones

“Hamer’s books opens up the complex world of the Kiplings, moving between continents and momentous world events.” Daily Mail

“Although based closely on historical fact, Kipling and Trix is a tour-de-force of imaginative fiction as well as a lyrically written, if often harrowing, tale of surprising passion.” Gina Berreca, The Huffington Post

“Kipling and Trix manages to be both accurate and a beautifully presented novel, rich with detail and character.” Neon Magazine

About the author

Mary Hamer travels widely and has lectured in many countries. Her work has appeared in The Economist,Guardian and Independent. Ever since Rudyard Kipling lit her imagination as a child, Mary has wanted to write about him, and later, about his sister, Trix, whom she found just as compelling. She has published works of non-fiction, but for the intimate story she wanted to tell here she decided it had to be fiction. Kipling & Trix is her first novel.

Media

Mary Hamer discusses with Jenni Murray on BBC Woman’s Hour, the story of Rudyard Kipling’s sister, Trix, who published a novel when she was just 22 but ended up living in the shadow of her brother’s success.