The Girl Between: A Novel

by Lisa Strømme

Overview

"...this well-crafted novel which explores the nature of obsessive love and the possible inspiration for The Scream." — Publishers Weekly 

In this breathtaking literary novel, an innocent maid discovers the power of obsession when she is caught between two lovers in an illicit affair.

Johanne Lien has grown up living a simple life with her family in Åsgårdstrand, Norway. Now that she's working as a maid for an admiral's family, Johanne thinks her carefree summers are over. She doesn't yet know that an infamous artist will lead her down a path of scorching chaos.

The admiral's daughter has become obsessed with the painter, a man years older with a dark reputation. When a forbidden affair beings, and Johanne is asked to hide more than just secrets, she must decide whether to take the risk…

Seen through the eyes of a young maid who finds herself drawn ever deeper into the intense relationship between her mistress and the painter, The Girl Between explores how one of the most famous paintings of all time may have been inspired by an intoxicating love affair.

"...this well-crafted novel which explores the nature of obsessive love and the possible inspiration for The Scream." — Publishers Weekly 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492649212
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	04/11/2017
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Born in Yorkshire, raised in Leeds, Tehran and Glasgow, and now living in Norway, Lisa Strømme is something of a global citizen. Over the years, she has worked as a translator, text editor and English teacher, but more recently has become a creativity coach teaching courses in the creative process and helping fellow creative types to combat common issues such as writer’s block, procrastination and perfectionism. THE GIRL BETWEEN (published in the UK as THE STRAWBERRY GIRL) is her first novel.

Editorial Reviews

02/20/2017
Stromme takes the reader on a journey to late-19th-century Norway as she weaves a tale of the inspiration for Edvard Munch’s famed painting, The Scream. Johanne Lien has lived her entire life in the small community of Asgardstrand. During the summer when she is 16, her family rents out their home and lives in a fisherman’s hut while Johanne works as a maid for the wealthy Ihlen family and paints. She develops a special friendship with Tullik, one of the Ihlen family’s daughters. But Johanne is torn between completing her duties as a maid and following the edicts of Tullik, who demands that Johanne accompany her to the house of painter Edvard Munch. Though Johanne enjoys the respite from her job and embraces the visits to Munch’s home so that she can work on her painting, she is worried about the romantic relationship developing between Tullik and Edvard, who is married to his art. As Johanne helps hide the paintings that Edvard gives Tullik, she is coping with her own budding sexuality. Stromme expertly weaves real historical figures into this well-crafted novel which explores the nature of obsessive love and the possible inspiration for The Scream. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Stromme expertly weaves real historical figures into this well-crafted novel which explores the nature of obsessive love and the possible inspiration for The Scream. " — Publishers Weekly

"With careful, loving attention, Strømme transforms Munch’s sketches and paintings into messages of longing." — Booklist

From the Publisher