The Reading Room | 27 September 2022
2022-09-27 10:30 - 12:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up, 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, 3350, Australia
In Conversation with Chrissie Bellbrae

March 24

@

6:00 pm

-

7:30 pm

$11.78

Humffray Room

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The Romanov Secret

Chrissie Bellbrae

A priceless Fabergé jewel.

An empire on the brink of revolution.

A love to dangerous to reveal.

A celebrated artist’s painting holds clues to long-held family secrets and lives under threat, long after the fall of the Russian Empire.

1898: When the legitimacy of Grand Duchess Tatiana Romanov’s marriage to the Tsar’s brother comes into question, her son’s claim to the Imperial throne is challenged too. But the Romanov dynasty desperately needs an heir, and their fate lies in the hand of the tyrannical Russian ruler. As revolution strikes the streets of St Petersburg and members of the Imperial family disappear, Tatiana must find a way to protect her son from mortal danger. 1982: Fashion Buyer Jean Campain has never forgiven her artist mother Aurora for making her relinquish her child. When Jean inherits the Archibald prize-winner’s previously unknown self-portrait she is compelled to interpret its hidden symbolism— and face the events that tore her family apart. But a conflicting account of the circumstances reveals Aurora’s dark deception, spiralling Jean into a breakdown, and threatens an end to her dream of family unity. An enthralling story of maternal love and treacherous deceit transporting readers from the lavish palaces of St Petersburg to the lush vineyards of the Mornington Peninsula.

About the author

Chrissie Bellbrae, Author

Chrissie Bellbrae’s first stories were crafted playing families with dressmaking patterns at her mother’s feet while the sewing machine hummed in the background. While working in education, she undertook a Fiona McIntosh Masterclass and hasn’t stopped writing since. Tempted to explore the rabbit holes within her own family history— Chrissie’s narratives transport readers from past to present, and create more significantly interesting lives for her ancestors than they possibly ever lived. Her debut novel, The Florentine Quilt, was inspired by a life-long interest in art, textiles and tales her grandmother told her. Lured to the beauty of salt water, Chrissie acknowledges that she lives and writes on the coast of Wadawurrung Country.

Chrissie will be in conversation with Rozzi Bazzani

Rozzi Bazzani is an award winning author who has written scripts, libretti and songs for theatre including two stage musicals together with a wide range of articles about music, theatre and performance for publication. She has been a regular contributor to the Arts pages of the highest circulation newspaper in Australia.

Rozzi Bazzani

$11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042

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This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, learn and create. Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.

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