I've had messages asking about the background to THE MIDNIGHT MAN. I covered a lot of the background, inspiration and so on in my website mailer, so here it is again in full.
THE MIDNIGHT MAN - VAN GOGH, GHOSTS, MURDER AND MADNESS. A FUSION OF
FACT AND FICTION.
I've looked forward to this moment for the last five years. Today,
I'd like to make an announcement that means a great deal to me. The
novel I've been working on, which features that troubled, cursed and
blessed genius Vincent Van Gogh, has now been launched.
THE MIDNIGHT MAN is published by Severn House in hardback; it's
released in the UK in April and the U.S. in July. It should be
available in the rest of world by the late Spring.
When I came across Van Gogh's work and life-story as a teenager it
was one of those revelatory moments. I've been a fan ever since. His
visionary power and ability to be just so astounding in what he did
was an inspiration. Van Gogh became a kind of magic touchstone for
the way I wrote.
As well as THE MIDNIGHT MAN drawing on a crucial part of Van Gogh's
life and imagining the circumstances that led to the shattering
breakdown in late 1888, I wanted to evoke what was, I believe, one of
the most important eras in our history.
1880-90 is the decade that bore witness to the birth of the modern
world. A profound change was in the air. It wasn't a decade of global
wars or major political revolutions, this was the revolution of the
human mind. All of a sudden, people saw the world differently.
Popular newspapers of that time start being written in the style of
the modern press. They aren't stilted or old fashioned. Photography
became part and parcel of everyday lives. Baird was born in 1888, the
inventor of the first mechanical TV system. Daimler and Benz's motor
cars were appearing on the roads. Family life became a lot like ours,
working 9-5, school for the kids, then the commute to a suburban home.
In 1888, Van Gogh lived in Arles in the famously yellow house. Like a
satellite dish he appeared to be picking up this emotional and
intellectual evolution in human beings. Through that alchemy, which
art possesses, he expressed this transformation in life-style and
'mind-style' into paintings of such visionary power that they enchant
millions today. But it's more than brilliant sunflowers and
incandescent portraits, we still sense there is a code within the
pictures that speaks to us. Of course, his passion to capture the new
spirit that electrified the Western World was too much for him.
That's where the biography of Van Gogh is transmuted into legend.
So, these two elements have fascinated me for years: the story of Van
Gogh in 1888, and the story of humanity's transformation during
possibly the most important decade in history. Now that, truly, is a
story that MUST be told. With Van Gogh's work to inspire me I've set
out to attempt just that. THE MIDNIGHT MAN is, for me, one of the
most personally satisfying novels I've ever written. I must add that
I wrote about the artist with love and complete and utter respect. I
trust I've done this great man, who saw the world's transformation
before anyone else did, justice.
By the way, I've launched a 'making of' blog that features background
information to the novel. It also serves as a gateway to web films
about the artist and to a virtual tour of the Yellow House in Arles.
Here's the blog link http://midnightmannovel.blogspot.com/
THE MIDNIGHT MAN - ISBN: 9780727866370
The book's description: 1888. The Yellow House, Arles: Vincent van
Gogh paints works of transcendent genius, while in London a killer
launches a reign of terror. Nidabi is attacked by her sadistic master
but is rescued just in time by saintly Pastor Hux, a man who
befriended Van Gogh many years ago. On a mission to help those most
in need Hux is relentless in his attempts to save the souls of those
he rescues. In Arles, Van Gogh is helped by prostitute Ty and they
quickly form a special relationship. Both are outsiders and she
struggles to protect the artist as his passion to create threatens to
shatter his mind. But why are these two men haunted by the spectre of
failure? How can loyalty endure in the face of evil? Soon a deadly
momentum will draw two old friends back together - into a withering
storm painted in madness, fear and death.
That's all for this time. Thanks for your patience in reading this
longer than usual message. You can tell this book has a big, BIG
place in my heart. Take care.
Simon Clark
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