Arcadia Discussion Zone

I recently visited Patrice at her home in London and learned of an interesting twist regarding the title of her last book, ‘City of Secrets’.

It all started when I noticed a colored sketching on an artists note pad on a side table. The picture depicted a child’s rendition of what was whimsically labeled; a ‘magical door’. Knowing that the theme of Patrice’s most recent work was portals, I asked her what it was all about. She said that her 9 year old granddaughter had recently drawn it, and that the image shocked her because it depicted what she had been writing about – portals.

Patrice proceeded to explain how the child was physic and had been so as long as anyone could remember. She told the story of when she rode in a taxi through London with her grandchild, when the girl was only 6 years old.

The child proceeded to blurt out: “This city has incredible secrets - secrets that no amount of fame or money would entice me to want to know.”

Not wanting to startle the child, Patrice nonchalantly said; “Can I ask where that information came from”. The little girl appeared herself once again, and replied; “They are only words.”

In short, this exchange was the inspiration for the name of Patrice’s book (City of Secrets), which she had just finished writing.

Anyway, I though that was interesting.

Cheers,

Andrew

thanks for sharing that Andy.......are you sure theres nothing going on with you and Patrice you seem to spend a lot of time at her house

JUST KIDDING

thanks Andy

I've just noticed this thread. Interesting. When I first encountered the book about six months before publication, in the Constable & Robinson catalogue, it had a different cover and was to be called The Lady of the Cup -- so presumably at that point there was a lot more about the vision in the book, and this was cut back in the various edits. The incident with Patrice's grandchild must have occurred after that.

Some day I'd love to read Patrice's original text, before it was so clumsily messed about.