![]() This particularly comes to the fore in Julie’s references to the Dreyfus Affair. So, for example, while Julie is obviously very fond and admiring of Renoir, she does not appear to let this colour her remarkably candid first-hand observations of his conversations and behaviour. The overwhelming impression one takes away is of an exceptionally bright, engaging and culturally aware young woman. ![]() Her memories of her father, and of the unexpected death of her mother, are recorded with great poignancy. Julie’s record of her life in the diary ranges from the trivial incidents of life through to moments of great tragedy. Renoir, in particular, took in Julie for the whole summer following Berthe’s death, showing her great kindness and taking a continuing interest in her welfare. She also received support from the family’s artist friends. Under the warm guardianship of Stéphane Mallarmé, she went to live with her cousins, with whom she was very close. Julie’s seemingly-idyllic life was shattered by the death of both her beloved parents within a three year period, leaving her orphaned at the age of 16. However, before turning to that, it is worthwhile to give some background about Julie herself. What Julie recorded about the Affair is the main focus of this article. This Affair highlighted deep and sometimes violent schisms in French society over attitudes to nationalism, tradition, loyalty, justice, individual rights, religion and anti-Semitism. What gives the diary its special piquancy, however, is that it coincided precisely with the Dreyfus Affair, one of the most famous controversies in recent French history. It provides a quite fascinating first-hand insight into the world of the Impressionists, and of France itself at the turn of the century. Fortunately for us, however, the diary has survived and has been published, in edited form, illustrated with photographs and paintings of the personalities and incidents involved. Sophie Casson has illustrated a number of children's books, including The Artist and Me, a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and Helen's Birds.Julie’s diary was no “neat ladylike leather bound volume, but untidy notes scribbled down in old exercise books, often in pencil, the presentation as spontaneous as the contents”. She is also the author of the book, The Other Side, YA novel Clutch and the picture book What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows? Heather Camlot is a journalist, writer and translator who grew up in Montreal and now lives in Toronto. Includes an author's note and further historical context. The true story, published in time for the 125th anniversary of "J'Accuse …!", acts as a reminder that a person committed to truth, justice and equality must stand up and speak out against prejudice for themselves - and for others. This powerful middle-grade story written in verse with full-page illustrations is told from the perspectives of both Alfred Dreyfus and Emile Zola, two men whose courage changed the world. He pens the famous letter "J'Accuse …!", explaining that Alfred was blamed, charged, tried and convicted … only because he is Jewish. Seven thousand miles away, the famous writer Emile Zola wonders: Is Alfred a traitor to France? Or a victim of anti-Semitism? Convinced that Alfred is innocent, Emile knows that it is his DUTY to help. It's a horrible fate - but what if he's innocent? Accused of betraying France, Captain Alfred Dreyfus is exiled to a prison on Devil's Island, far from his wife and children. In 1895 a prisoner watches the ocean through the bars of his cell. ![]() When a Jewish army captain is falsely accused of treason and sent to prison, a writer uses his pen to fight for justice. ![]()
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