Books / Debut Novel
Award-winning local filmmaker and writer pens ‘thriller meets coming-of-age drama’ set at Bristol Cathedral
Will Fraser is a musician and award-winning filmmaker who founded the company Fugue State Films back in 2007.
His youth and education was spent in the south west of England, as well as in the east of Canada and America, a country which has continued to provide creative inspiration to him throughout his life.
He is now based back in Bristol, which is also the city he has chosen as the setting to his debut novel, Cloister.
is needed now More than ever
“Bristol is a very atmospheric and beautiful city,” asserts Fraser, “but weirdly, very few novels are set there.
“My wish is that Cloister becomes a, or even the Bristol novel: a dark and unusual story intertwined with the amazing architecture and topography of what the novel describes as an ‘enchanted’ city.”
Will Fraser – photo: Natasja Fourie
Described as a “thriller meets coming-of-age drama”, the story centres on the character of Matthew Marcan, who returns to the city to attend the funeral of his mentor, Richard, the former director of music at Bristol Cathedral.
Having missed out on succeeding Richard’s position, he subsequently – not to say reluctantly – takes on the role of assistant organist; a job that he feels is somewhat beneath him, as well as being subject to the whims of a difficult new director.
Matthew meets blues musician Chloë, and finds himself drawn into a love triangle with her ex, a man who brings death with him from the gothic South of the USA. As work and conflict at the cathedral thwart his expectations, Matthew comes to see his life and his career as a musician very differently. Does love offer refuge? Can he and Chloë establish a relationship without falling foul of her ex, who will seemingly stop at nothing, even murder, to get Chloë, and then Matthew, to agree to his sinister ultimatum?
Cloister by Will Fraser (book cover) – image: Ifan Bates
A launch event for Cloister will be taking place on September 16, fittingly, at Bristol Cathedral – directly after the choral evensong service.
Interspersed with readings from the novel, there will be live music from the cathedral organist, head chorister and progressive rock icon Mishkin Fitzgerald, singing the blues.
Organisers are encouraging people to arrive early and experience the evensong service, in order to set the scene for what follows.
“This is an immersive event for both book and music lovers,” they say, “inviting audiences to connect with the characters through the emotional resonance of the music.”
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Cloister by Will Fraser is out now.
A launch event for the novel is taking place at Bristol Cathedral on September 16 from 6-7.30pm (after the 5.15pm evensong service). Tickets are available at www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk and include a complimentary glass of wine.
Main photo: Cerys Larsen
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