What happens when the undisputed ‘Queen of international women’s fiction’, Marian Keyes, meets 2009’s fastest rising and hottest ‘must hear retro diva’ V V Brown?
It is a story of mutual respect, shared interests and of course, prodigious talent that brings them together.
On March 2nd V V Brown releases on Island Records her eagerly awaited debut single ‘LEAVE!’ alongside a cover version of ‘THIS CHARMING MAN’ by The Smiths. The inspiration for V V’s version of the song is Marian Keyes’ novel, This Charming Man. Speaking of the inspiration behind ‘LEAVE!’ she says – ‘LEAVE!’ is about being intoxicated and confused by being in love and the conflict between listening to your heart and your mind.’ V V will perform a short reading from the novel which will be available as part of the single bundle.
This Charming Man is published in paperback on World Book Day, March 5th (Penguin, £7.99). It raced to NO 1 in the UK and Ireland within days of publication last year. The story is about a philandering, selfish, sometimes abusive Irish politician and his effect on four women in his life. It has ‘all the hallmarks of a classic read: characters we care about, and hard-hitting topics such as alcoholism and domestic abuse, tackled with Marian’s trademark honesty, full of her usual sincerity and charm’ – Heat.
Talking about V V, Marian says:
“Every now and then a real star comes along. V V is AMAZING – such a great voice and genius songwriter, her lyrics are witty and clever and edgy, wrapped up in perfect melody. I’m really thrilled by her version of THIS CHARMING MAN. The original is so great that it’s hard to think that anyone could do it justice, but she completely makes it her own. I’m very proud and excited to be working with V V to raise awareness of Women’s Aid.”
It was the trademark honesty which struck a chord with V V who was introduced
to Marian’s work by Women’s Aid, a charity both artists care about. As part of their collaboration, Marian and V V have made the following statement on the eve of World Book Day and International Women’s Day:
“Some women have probably never heard of Women’s Aid – and they’re the lucky ones – they’ve never experienced domestic violence, and so they’ve never needed to know about Women’s Aid, and to look for their help. But 1 in 4 women in Britain and Ireland will experience domestic abuse at some stage in their lives. That’s an awful lot of us, but despite the high number, the subject is still taboo. Most victims suffer terrible shame, and often feel no help is available for them. But Women’s Aid is just a phone call away, facilitating a wide range of services from simply providing a sympathetic ear to enabling a woman to leave her situation and start a new life with safety and dignity.”
Nicola Harwin CBE, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, says:
“At Women’s Aid we are incredibly grateful to both Marian Keyes and V V Brown for working together to help raise funds for women and children affected by domestic violence. When Marian was researching This Charming Man she spoke to Women’s Aid and a number of women directly affected by domestic violence. Many of the women told Marian how their abusive relationships did not begin with violence and abuse but with charm and romance. This Charming Man will resonate with so many women who have lived with domestic violence, and who have been in abusive relationships with men who are charming in public yet violent behind closed doors.”
Island Records will donate 10p from every 79p download to Women’s Aid. Penguin and Island Records are each making a £1000 flat donation to the charity.
Penguin and Island Records are very excited about bringing together a bestselling author and a hot new musical talent in such a unique collaboration. Music and writing are each others perfect compliment and this project means that they can offer the public exclusive extra content that enhance both the reading and listening experience.
V V Brown’s single ‘LEAVE!’ will be available from all the usual outlets as a digital bundle from 2nd March, and will include the track ‘THIS CHARMING MAN’ as well as V V Brown reading exclusive chapters from Marian Keyes’ bestselling novel This Charming Man. This Charming Man is published on March 5th, World Book Day and is available from all major retail outlets. (Penguin, £7.99pb)
A promotional multi-buy mechanic has also been set up whereby if you purchase Marian’s novel This Charming Man in paperback you can pre-order V V Brown’s album for a special price.
EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT: Marian and VV are appearing at Borders Bookshop at 1pm, Thursday March 5th. The event will include ‘in conversation’, Marian reading and a live set from VV including her debut performance of This Charming Man!
Entrance Free. Borders, 203 Oxford Street, London W1D 2LE
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