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Thunderclap: A memoir of art and life & sudden death is a remarkable narrative by Laura Cumming that elegantly intertwines the realms of art, personal loss, and the indelible mark left by creativity. Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction 2024 and celebrated as the Winner of the Writers’ Prize 2024 in Non-Fiction, this memoir captivates from the first page.
In Thunderclap, Cumming shines a light on the devastating gunpowder explosion in Delft on October 12, 1654, which tragically took the life of talented painter Carel Fabritius at just 32 years old. The explosion left behind his breathtaking artwork, The Goldfinch, which serves as a poignant symbol throughout the narrative.
Set against a backdrop that spans from the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age to contemporary times, this beautifully illustrated memoir not only chronicles Fabritius's life but also weaves in the narrative of Cumming’s own artist father and the influential figures in art history. Key features of this work include:
Described as 'superb' by the Daily Telegraph and bordering on the 'sublime' by the Sunday Times, Thunderclap is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the transformative power of art and the stories that shape our lives.
ISBN: | 9781529922530 |
Author: | Laura Cumming |
Format: | Paperback / softback |
Imprint: | Vintage |
Publisher: | Vintage Publishing |
Dimensions: | 129 x 196 x 23 mm |
Publication Date: | 16 May, 2024 |
Pagination: | 272 pages |
Weight: | 430g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’