Escape to Provence is the true story of two remarkable women who, with style and energy, carved out new lives for themselves in the South of France in the first part of the last century. An American, Elisabeth Parrish Starr, and an Englishwoman, Winifred (Peggy) Fortescue, the author of the best-selling Perfume From Provence, both escaped to Provence for quite different reasons. Elisabeth as the result of a personal tragedy, coupled with a need to live her life without censure, and Peggy because she and her husband felt that in Provence ‘one could be poor with dignity’. 

After dangerous aid work on the Somme during the Great War, Elisabeth bought an ancient house in the hills above Cannes, drew other expatriate friends around her and, with a now widowed Peggy, lived a bucolic existence in their Provençal village until the threat of another conflict changed their lives for ever. Peggy raced to safety in England, while Elisabeth fell under the oppressive Vichy regime that affected everyone in the region during the dark years of war. When the South of France was liberated by American and French forces, Peggy returned to a Provence that would never be the same again.  

Over the years their lives became involved with those of Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough; the poet John Betjeman, the dashing Spitfire pilot Richard Hillary, the artist Rex Whistler and the families of President Theodore Roosevelt and Charles, 6th Marquess of Anglesey. As well as the story of two unusual women, Escape to Provence is also a portrait of an era.

Maureen Emerson, from an Irish-Austrian background, grew up in London - for which she is eternally grateful. Marrying young, she brought up her family in North Africa, Lebanon, Dallas and Singapore, before settling in Provence for twenty-two years. There she worked as a local co-ordinator for CBS and NBC news during the media festivals at Cannes and Monte Carlo. While still harbouring a strong affection for Provence, Maureen has now settled in Sussex with her husband.

A PORTRAIT OF AN ERA

The true story of Winifred Fortescue and Elisabeth Starr, two remarkable women and their quest for a new life in an idyllic Provence of the early 1900s.  An evocative description of how the Second World War brought both selfless courage and tragedy and would change their lives for ever.

THE BOOK IS LAUNCHED

Maureen Emerson with her new book on Saturday 14 June 2008

The English Book Centre
12 rue Alexis Julien
06560,Valbonne
Tel. 04 93 12 21 42

englishbooks@wanadoo.fr

Escape to Provence by Maureen Emerson was officially launched on Saturday 14th June 2008 at the English Book Centre, Valbonne, France, courtesy of the proprietor Jill Shepperd who had provided an excellent backdrop for the event. Maureen gave a short talk of about 15 minutes covering firstly the writing of the book and then a brief description of the contents. Speaking perfectly, despite claiming she had never done it before, the audience in the packed bookshop were enthralled. Afterwards she happily chatted with the visitors outside and signed numerous copies. Maureen has to be congratulated on a splendid publication. The depth of her research and the ends to which she has gone, (and places), to obtain it is quite staggering. The venue and the weather were  perfect and made for a delightful day.