Tracy Chevalier's 'The Glassmaker' follows the Rosso family, Murano glassmakers, across centuries. The narrative spans from the 1400s to the present day, showcasing their resilience and adaptation through historical events like plagues and wars. Chevalier masterfully weaves together historical accuracy with fictional characters, creating a compelling story of family, craft, and the enduring spirit of Venice. The novel explores themes of tradition, innovation, and the passage of time, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of a family dedicated to their craft. The unique time-bending narrative allows readers to connect with the characters across generations, experiencing their lives and struggles in a deeply personal way.
Tracy Chevalier's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is a historical fiction novel set in 17th-century Delft, Netherlands. It tells the fictionalized story of Griet, a young maid working in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer. The novel explores the relationship between Griet and Vermeer, focusing on her role as his model and the impact of their interactions on her life. Chevalier's narrative weaves together historical details with imagined events, creating a compelling portrait of a young woman's life in a time of artistic and social change. The novel's success led to a film adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.
In 'Normal Women', Philippa Gregory presents a groundbreaking study that places women at the center of British history, highlighting their agency, persistence, and effectiveness across centuries. The book explores various aspects of women's lives, including health, marriage, work, and crime, revealing the significant yet often overlooked roles women have played in shaping history. Through extensive research and storytelling, Gregory redefines what it means to be a 'normal' woman, showcasing heroism, rebellion, and achievement.
The Other Boleyn Girl is a historical novel that tells the story of Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn, as she navigates the complexities of the Tudor court. The novel explores themes of love, ambition, and power as Mary becomes embroiled in an affair with King Henry VIII, only to be overshadowed by her sister's rise to prominence. Philippa Gregory's work offers a unique perspective on a well-known historical period, focusing on the experiences of women often overlooked in traditional narratives.
This is the second instalment of a three-part discussion. Philippa Gregory and Tracy Chevalier have defined the genre of historical fiction for decades. Both renowned for bringing to life women’s stories from the past and making them relevant to today’s reader, between them they’ve produced a multitude of global bestsellers including The Other Boleyn Girl and Girl with a Pearl Earring. In September 2024 they joined Reeta Chakrabarti on the Intelligence Squared stage to transport us through time and place. They explored the art of weaving history into compelling narratives, delving into the research that underpins their work and the challenges of crafting authentic voices from the past for those who have had no voice. This was one of the first events at which Tracy discussed her spellbinding new novel The Glassmaker, a richly-drawn tale of artisan craftsmanship, female perseverance, and the beauty of Venice. Philippa talked about her ground-breaking study, Normal Women, which takes women out of the footnotes and reassembles the history of women in England showing how their lives have changed over 900 years from 1066 to the present.
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