Author Interview with Marjorie Price

I'm happy to welcome Marjorie Price today for an interview. Marjorie is the author A Gift from Brittany which I reviewed yesterday.

What is the main thing you hope readers take away from A GIFT FROM BRITTANY

The main thing I'd like readers to take away from A Gift from Brittany is how love can sometimes happen in the most unlikely places. I was a young, romantic artist, married to an exciting French painter. I thought I had found the love of my life. But when the marriage began to unravel, I grew close to — of all people —an elderly, illiterate peasant woman who had three cows to her name and had never left the ancient village where I was living with my husband. Yet, in spite of differences in age, language, culture and life experience, Jeanne Montrelay became my dearest friend and changed forever the way I saw the world. I am thrilled when readers write to tell me how much they came to appreciate and love her, and how she came to be so meaningful in their lives, too.

After leaving France, how often have you had the opportunity to return?

After leaving La Salle, I moved first to the South of France and then to Rome. While they were long drives, I missed Jeanne so much that as long as she lived, I drove to visit her frequently, and although I thought it would be too sad to return after she died, I've been back many times. I still keep in touch with her son, Roger, and her granddaughter, Claudine. A part of me will always be at La Salle. To this day, I long to return.

You faced some serious struggles in your marriage to Yves. What advice would you give young wives who might find themselves in similar situations?

Ahhh, if only I had known sooner! I grew up before Women's LIb —in an era when the man – no matter what – ruled the house. Of course, advice comes easily, but what I'd tell young wives who find themselves with an overpowering partner is that it's never too early to set boundaries in a relationship. Certainly well before marriage, and afterwards, not to relent. Once those boundaries are broken down, it's nearly impossible to rebuild them. When there are no boundaries, the domineering partner has license to make ever increasing and unreasonable demands. I'd also remind the young wife to remember that while she will do everything in her power to make the partnership work, she will never accept physical or emotional abuse. She always has options. And I would wish her good luck!

Is there a place online where readers can view your art?

Yes, it is my website: Marjorie Price. New paintings that will be shown in my exhibition of The Bathers at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Frederick, MD are previewed in the section under paintings, Current Exhibitions.

Thanks Marjorie!