Literary alchemy: Kohler mines truth to inspire fiction

Posted March 1, 2010; 10:12 a.m.

by Jennifer Greenstein Altmann

In a Manchester, England, lodging house in 1846, a young woman is caring for her father after an operation. As he sleeps, her pencil furiously scratches against a page. The young woman is Charlotte Brontë, and she is writing her masterpiece, "Jane Eyre."

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Kohler will teach a class in Paris at the Paris Writers' Workshop from June 27-July 3. Please contact PWW if you are interested.

Paris Writers Workshop 2010 | FACULTY

"Baboons" is now in the Ecco anthology of Contemporary American Short Fiction.

Sheila Kohler's new novel, Becoming Jane Eyre is out with Viking, Penguin. 

The motion picture release of "Cracks" slated to come out this year. The director is Jordan Scott, and Ridley and Tony Scott are the executive producers on the film. Rosalie Swedlin, Christine Vachan, Julie Payne, Kwesi Dickson and Andrew Lowe are also producers. The film adaptation is done by Ben Court & Caroline Ip and Jordan Scott. The actress is Eva Green who plays Miss G. The film will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on Friday September 11th.

Cracks will be at the London film festival

Sun 25 | 18:00 | Vue Screen 5

Sun 25 | 18:15 | Vue Screen 7

Wed 28 | 20:45 | RICH MIX Screen 1

 A sensuous drama of obsession and misguided love set in a secluded girls' school in the 1930s. Set in an isolated girls' school in the mid 1930s, Cracks is a sensuous drama of obsession and misguided love, confidently directed by Jordan Scott (daughter of Ridley), making her feature debut. Adapted from Sheila Kohler's novel and transposed from South Africa to an atmospheric Irish location, the story centres on a clique of teenage girls who are all members of the school's swimming team, coached by the worldly and glamorous Miss G (Eva Green). She encourages them in their belief that they have more potential than their schoolmates, and also encourages a crush held by one of them, Di (Juno Temple). The group's equilibrium is disturbed by the arrival of a mysterious and beautiful Spanish pupil, Fiamma (María Valverde), who remains resolutely detached from the team, provoking both fascination and jealousy. Eva Green brings the right tone of charisma and suspicion as the Sapphic schoolmistress who is not all she seems, and all the young cast give strong, believable performances.

Whilst there are distinct Lord of the Flies overtones in the way events unfold, Cracks' cloistered all-female world brings an altogether more libidinous focus. Sandra Hebron Director Jordan Scott Cast Eva Green, Juno Temple, María Valverde, Sinéad Cusack Country UK, Ireland Writer Ben Court, Caroline Ip Distributor Optimum Releasing Running time 104min Year 2009

IFC steps into Toronto thriller Cracks for North America | News ...

Sheila's new book "Becoming Jane Eyre", which has been sold to Viking Penguin and will come out in December 2009.

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