Ethie's Summer

Author Lucy Steeds · Publisher Dasan Books · Publication Date 2026-08-05 · ISBN 9791130682594

About the Book

"A captivating blend of romance and mystery!" - The Guardian

Like opening the first page of an ancient myth, the novel begins with a mysterious letter. In the hand of a stranger walking along a dusty road is a letter bearing a single word: "Venez." In the summer of 1920, with the scars of war still covering Europe, Joseph, a British journalist who has lost his sense of purpose, travels to an isolated farmhouse in Provence to interview the legendary painter Tartuffe. Tartuffe, a reclusive artist, refuses to grant an interview and turns him away, but his niece Etti appears and introduces Joseph as a model for a new painting, ushering him into the house. Thus begins the strange cohabitation of the three.

One night, during a celebration party for the completion of Tartuffe's painting, Joseph witnesses Etti secretly burning Tartuffe's finished work. Yet, the next morning, the painting is intact in its place and is soon sold for a large sum. When Joseph asks what happened, Etti gently whispers, touching his forehead, "You were seeing things." Was he really seeing things? In the midst of confusion, summer ripens, and Joseph and Etti's hearts gradually lean towards each other. Meanwhile, the secrets surrounding Tartuffe and Etti begin to unveil themselves…

After a fierce bidding war among 9 publishers for the manuscript alone,
a debut masterpiece by a new author, secured with a six-figure advance.

Lucy Steeds, the author who brought this captivating story to life, was originally an ordinary researcher in academia. Wanting to write a novel, she decided to dedicate just one year to writing the manuscript and quit her job. She staked everything on completing the manuscript within the set period, and precisely 12 months later, she completed the draft, which then shook the British publishing world. Nine agents who read the manuscript engaged in a fierce competition for the novel's rights, and a deal was finally struck under the unprecedented terms of a six-figure advance and a two-book contract. The Telegraph reported this as "an absurdly daring contract." It was the moment she became the most 주목받는 new talent in British literature with just one manuscript, only a year after transitioning from researcher to novelist.

Sensory writing that stimulates the five senses and
overwhelming immersion that keeps you captivated every moment.

Etti's Summer unfolds as a thrilling romance and a tense psychological mystery set in the closed-off space of a master painter's secluded mansion in 1920s Provence. The suspense created by layers of secrets and entangled desires drew high praise from Booker Prize-nominated author Yael van der Wouden as "a passionate romance and a mystery unfolding under the sun," and from the Waterstones judges as "an immersive experience that completely sweeps the reader away in a suffocatingly closed atmosphere."

Adding to this are meticulous descriptions that stimulate the five senses, from the floating dust in the studio and the thick texture of oil paints to the scorching sun, the scent of lavender, and the chirping of insects, creating the illusion of stepping into the heart of Provence in midsummer. A judge for the Women's Prize for Fiction praised it as "a work that makes you feel the light in the room and the smell of paint with your whole body," and international readers likewise offered high praise, saying, "I swear my vitamin D levels actually went up after reading this novel," and "The taste of peaches and honey lingers in the mouth, and the thick paint and sweat-soaked skin feel tangible at your fingertips."

There are lives that only begin after everything is burned down.
Breaking free from a predetermined life and living as oneself…

This novel is a passionate coming-of-age story of a woman who breaks free from the confines of a life defined by others, reclaiming her talent and freedom. It is also a tribute to the countless women artists whose works were painted over and erased from the canvas of history. In an era where the prejudice that "women are merely subjects on a canvas, not artists who can wield a brush themselves" was commonly accepted, art history long kept women as subjects rather than painters. Etti's confession, "No one truly sees," directly challenges that long-held prejudice. While we praise magnificent masterpieces, where did the art and lives of countless women, overshadowed and nameless, go?

Etti's Summer delivers a thrilling catharsis by vividly portraying a woman's ardent journey to break free from the mold of others and stand on her own, amidst breathtaking psychological tension. Like a letter thrown to reclaim a lost life on a summer day in 1920, this novel now whispers to you. "Venez" to the world of fascinating secrets hidden behind the master's studio, a feast of light and paint that captivates the senses, and within it.

Reader Reviews

"This book is a must-read not only for art lovers but also for anyone who wants a deep sensory experience—to feel the summer scent of Provence, see the colors of paintings, taste the food, and experience the emotions of the characters. This is the fantastic value of this novel."

"Every word, every sentence is carefully chosen to create a beautiful and immersive story. About 40 pages into the book, I was convinced, 'This is going to be a brilliant debut,' and I wasn't wrong. I couldn't put the book down. I'm sad it's over."

"If you like quietly simmering romance, this book is for you."

"A brilliant story about seeing and being seen. Peaches and honey linger in the mouth, and thick paint and sweat-soaked skin feel tangible at your fingertips. It brings joy throughout the read, concluding with a thrilling, bursting sensation."

"This novel is full of life, light, and passion, capturing even the scents and dust of a hot summer day."

"It shows how, when one's true self shines, others gradually fade. It also discusses how trauma can turn people into mere replicas of themselves rather than their true selves. Above all, it is a novel that deeply questions what it means to be truly alive."

"While reading the book, I felt as if I was completely transported to the misty French countryside, so much so that it surprised me to realize I was holding the book in my bedroom. This novel talks about so much. It's a story about art, food, love, and family, but it also delves deeply into the legacies of war, abusive relationships, and the position of women in the 20th century. Most importantly, the central theme is about being seen for who you truly are. The writing is so beautiful, and I was so engrossed that I couldn't put it down."

"A breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreaking story. A romance novel set against a historical backdrop, deeply imbued with loss and pain. All the characters simmer with emotion, and their distinct personalities mixed with blurred morality captivate the reader. The story spins rapidly like a whirlwind, mirroring Etti's inner turmoil. The prose is superb, the shifts in perspective are seamless, and the passage of time is woven with the power of a grand narrative. The setting, dialogue, and plot development are all intensely immersive. Intense metaphors that throb with anger, loss, and confusion unfold throughout, adding depth to the story. Without a doubt, it is the best book."

"A masterpiece. While reading the book, I felt as if I had been transported to sunny Provence. I swear my vitamin D levels actually increased because of the excellent descriptions."

"A novel full of questions about who we are and where life leads us. I felt alive while holding the book in my hands. Words cannot express how much I love this book."

"From now on, whatever book I read, I'll start by thinking: 'Is it better than Etti's Summer?'"

Contents

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