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The Absent Heart

by Ali Bacon

£5.99£9.99

Paperback: 978-1-7394431-6-0

One woman, two men, how many love affairs?

In this beguiling account of a triangular relationship, Ali Bacon unveils the woman who had a profound influence on one of the greatest writers of his age. Robert Louis Stevenson. In 1870, Frances Sitwell, beautiful, intelligent and trapped in an abusive marriage, is grateful for the chaste affection offered by rising literary star, Sidney Colvin. They make a perfect couple until the young Robert Louis Stevenson bursts into their lives to captivate them with his wild, mercurial spirit and startlingly original talent. Louis falls in love with Frances. As her feelings for Sidney cool, and Louis’s entreaties become irresistible, she encourages him to express his feelings in letters, which he does with unconcealed passion.

With Louiss death, these emotional outpourings fall into Sidneys hands. His subsequent anger makes Francis question the nature of his feelings for Louis. As friendship, love and desire are put to the test, can Frances find the courage to secure her future happiness as well as her place in history?

AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM MARCH 12th

About Ali Bacon

After graduating from St Andrews University, Ali moved to the South West of England where her writing is still strongly influenced by her Scottish roots. This is her third historical novel after A Kettle of Fish and In the Blink of an Eye which was listed in the ASLS best Scottish books of that year. Short story successes include Evesham Short Story Prize, Bristol Short Story Prize, Local Writer. She conceived The Absent Heart through a family connection to the writer, Robert Louis Stevenson

Books by Ali Bacon

Mission Statement

Founded in 2005, Linen Press is the only UK-wide feminist independent publisher.
At a time when female autonomy and rights are under threat, our books are important for the recognition and empowerment of the female experience.
We rejoice in the strength and originality of female and non-binary creative voices and champion those who are underrepresented and marginalised.
The collective background of our writers is a patchwork of cultures, countries, ages and writing styles as we share stories that speak to women across barriers and boundaries.

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