This novel tells the story of real life events: The time that painters Alfred Munnings, Laura Knight and Harold Knight, and Florence Carter-Wood as well as Captain Gilbert Evans spent in Cornwall in the years before World War One. It starts in 1949 with Munnings's scandalous valedictory speech at the Royal Academy and then goes back in time to his arrival at Lamorna Cove where he meets Gilbert and the others. They spend a couple of years at this beautiful place, years that are as glorious as they are difficult, years full of art, poetry and celebrations, but also insecurity and loss.

The author conjures up a picture of these golden times before the war and he conveys a real sense of place that lets the reader breathe the salty air and smell the paint. I only have the most basic knowledge of these painters, but now I feel like I have been there with them. Of course it is a novel, but Jonathan Smith was supported by David Evans, the grandson of Gilbert Evans, and had access to the latter's diaries.

I don't think that this novel is for everyone, and it features dark topics like suicide and illness, but I just loved the characters and the atmosphere and every word struck a chord with me. As always when I truly love a book, my words feel inadequate when I try to write a review and describe just what I love about it - so I'll leave it at that and just say that this story touched my soul. ( )

"a disturbing and moving re-creation of a celebrated Edwardian artistic community enjoying the last days of a golden age soon to be shattered by war..... a love story of beauty, deprivation and tragedy." (from the overview) ( )

If you're interested in art and enjoy discovering more about the personal lives of artists then you'll enjoy Summer in February. Although this is not a biography Jonathan Smith did extensive original research in order to write the most convincing story about Alfred Munnings, world famous painter of horses, and his life in the artistic community in Lamorna, Cornwall, at the beginning of the 20th Century.

Summer in February is a snapshot in time, covering only a few years prior to the outbreak of WW1 and revolving around the love triangle between Munnings, Florence and the estate manager Gilbert Evans.

Jonathan Smith evokes a wonderful sense of scene. When reading the book you can smell the tang of the sea air mingled with the artist's turpentine. All the characters are well portrayed and by the end of the book you feel that you know them all personally, their desires, their motivations and their passions.

Summer in February has now been made into a film starring Dominic Cooper as AJ Munnings, Dan Stevens as Gilbert Evans and Emily Browning as Florence Carter-Wood. It's due to be released in 2013. ( )

Smith, within the pages of Summer in February, has given life and light to the artist colony of Lamorna. A story known by few, but a tragedy that unfolds to rival the greatest ever woven. The events and characters created by Smith are based on artists who lived and worked at Lamorna Cove. He takes the reader inside the world or A.J. Munnings, one of England’s finest painters and that of his relationship with Florence Carter Wood a would be artist from the city and his future wife, and Gilbert Evans a resident of Lamorna who falls in love with Florence and carries on a relationship with her. Smith grasps the tortured and corrupted mind of A.J. Munnings and the rich sadness of Florence Carter Wood’s relationship with him and portrays them to the audience as characters to be adored as much as abhorred, Florence for her talent and weakness, and A.J. or his genius and unbearable cruelty. Summer in February discusses the meaning of art, from who should create it, to the words that we use to describe it. A must read for any who believe they have a grasp on aestheticism and morality.