Nicholas Shakespeare writes account of mysterious aunt
16th July 2010
Award-winning author Nicholas Shakespeare is to publish a non-fiction book about his mysterious aunt.
Priscilla: The Adventures of an Englishwoman in Occupied France will look at the wartime experiences of his relation, whose romps ranged from an affair with a Nazi officer to escape from an internment camp.
Shakespeare, whose novels include The Vision of Elena Silves and Snowleg, was inspired to write the account after finding a box of family letters and photographs, which contained a picture of his 'arrestingly beautiful' aunt and her love letters from several married men.
Liz Foley, publishing director at Harvill Secker, which will launch the book, said her company is 'extremely excited' to have acquired the title.
'Above and beyond the gripping tale of Nicholas's detective work and Priscilla's remarkable adventures, it also gives great insight into a fascinating period in history,' she commented.
Shakespeare won the 1990 Somerset Maugham Award and the Betty Trask Prize for The Vision of Elena Silves, while Snowleg saw him nominated for the Man Booker Prize.