KarenBartlett.co.uk

Dusty: Lost Icon

Critically acclaimed by The Telegraph and The Sunday Times as one of the best music books of 2014.

Dusty Springfield was one of the biggest musical stars of the twentieth century. From the launch of her solo career in 1963, and until her departure for Los Angeles a decade later, she was Britain’s biggest female star, with a glamour and voice that propelled her into a different league. She was, in almost every way, ahead of her time. For instance, she was the first British artist to appreciate the impact of Motown, and her love of its music led her to introduce Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder to audiences through her TV shows. She was deported from apartheid South Africa in 1964 for refusing to play to segregated audiences, setting a precedent for a boycott of South Africa by entertainers which was much criticised at the time. In her personal life, Dusty broke the mould as the first female entertainer to admit that she was bisexual, a decision that was to overshadow the remainder of her career. This book is the definitive biography of Dusty Springfield, using new material, meticulous research and frank interviews with those closest to her, to compose an intimate and accurate portrait of the real woman behind the legend.

'The Paradise' in Bedford Square 3

An opening extract from Karen Bartlett’s novel The Paradise begins this new writing anthology of MA students from Royal Holloway with a foreword by Andrew Motion.

The Paradise tells the story of the introduction of Pass Laws, and Apartheid restrictions, in 1950’s Cape Town through the eyes of 15 yr old Barbara Miller, and her friends in a crumbling seaside hotel – weaving together the tensions of different communities and the human relationships that slip between the lines.

Karen completed the MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway and is represented by Gaia Banks at Sheil Land.

After Auschwitz: My Memories of Otto and Anne Frank. A Story of Survival

Written with “stark sensitivity…illuminating both the frailty and strength of the human spirit,” Karen’s account of the life of Eva Schloss, Anne Frank’s step-sister, is in the UK bestsellers list:

“Eva Schloss arrived at Auschwitz-Birkenau at the age of 15. She and her mother survived, but her beloved father and brother did not.

Eva was a childhood friend of Anne Frank, and became her posthumous step-sister when her mother married Otto Frank after they both lost their spouses in the Holocaust.

Eva is working with journalist Karen Bartlett to tell her remarkable story, which spans the turbulent history of Europe in the Twentieth Century, and brings out the full horror, prejudice, loss – and occasionally the humanity – experienced by ordinary people during the Holocaust. She tells how she struggled to transform her life after the Holocaust and how she overcame intolerance, fear and discrimination by facing her own demons and how this enabled her to bring a message of hope and understanding to people from different backgrounds around the world.

As a co-founder of the Anne Frank Trust, Eva was thrilled when The Diary of Anne Frank became an international phenomenon. Eva continues to work for the Anne Frank Trust, and travels all over the world with a play about her life And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank

Her message has influenced people from all walks of life ranging from diplomats and politicians to children and prisoners in high-security jails. She was awarded an MBE in this year’s New Year Honours for her work in schools raising awareness of prejudice and discrimination.

Eva said: ‘This book allows me to reflect on the history I witnessed of the last century’s hatred, persecution, and murder of millions of innocent people. I struggled for many years in silence to overcome the pain, humiliation and consequences of my personal loss. When I finally spoke out, I discovered my ability and responsibility to help others understand that we are resilient and capable of overcoming the most difficult circumstances. The life we have been given is precious and beautiful, and we should make the most of it. ’