Abbs has found a gripping and little-known story at the heart of one of the 20th century's most
astonishing creative moments researched it deeply and brought the extraordinary Joyce family
and their circle in 1920s Paris to richly-imagined life.-Emma Darwin bestselling author of A
Secret Alchemy and The Mathematics of Love For readers who adored novels like The Paris Wife Z
and Loving Frank comes Annabel Abbs highly praised debut novel where she spins the story of
James Joyce's fascinating and tragic daughter Lucia. When she reaches her full capacity for
rhythmic dancing James Joyce may yet be known as his daughter's father . . . The review in the
Paris Times in November 1928 is rapturous in its praise of Lucia Joyce's skill and artistry as
a dancer. The family has made their home in Paris-where the latest ideas in art music and
literature converge . Acolytes regularly visit the Joyce apartment to pay homage to Ireland's
exiled literary genius. Among them is a tall thin young man named Samuel Beckett-a fellow
Irish expat who idolizes Joyce and with whom Lucia becomes romantically involved. Lucia is both
gifted and motivated training tirelessly with some of the finest teachers in the world. Though
her father delights in his daughter's talent she clashes with her mother Nora. And as her
relationship with Beckett sours Lucia's dreams unravel as does her hope of a life beyond her
father's shadow. With Lucia's behavior growing increasingly erratic James Joyce sends her to
pioneering psychoanalyst Carl Jung. Here at last she will tell her own story-a fascinating
heartbreaking account of thwarted ambition passionate creativity and the power of love to
both inspire and destroy. The Joyce Girl creates a compelling and moving account of the
real-life Joyce Girl of unrealized dreams and rejection and of the destructive love of a
father.
