Philippa Gregory and Tracy Chevalier on Weaving the Story into Historical Fiction, Part One

Sep 30, 2024

Philippa Gregory, best-selling author renowned for her historical novels, and Tracy Chevalier, celebrated for her works like 'Girl with a Pearl Earring,' explore the intricate crafting of historical fiction. They delve into the balance of fact and imagination, emphasizing the importance of giving voice to overlooked women's stories. Tracy shares insights on her upcoming novel, 'The Glassmaker', while Philippa discusses her groundbreaking work, 'Normal Women', which reexamines women's histories in England. Their engaging dialogue illuminates the challenges and artistry of bringing the past to life.

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ANECDOTE

Normal Women

Philippa Gregory's book Normal Women covers 900 years of English women's history, not just famous figures.
It highlights women's often-unrecorded lives of courage, crime, and resilience.

INSIGHT

Women's Nature

The concept of "women's nature" has been historically defined by men, often as the opposite of men's qualities.
This reinforces stereotypes and limits the understanding of women's potential.

ANECDOTE

The Glassmaker Title

Tracy Chevalier's novel The Glassmaker was initially titled The Beadmaker.
The title changed due to the word "bead" having negative connotations and not evoking the right emotional response.

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This is the first 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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