Victoria Hislop, international bestselling author known for her historical fiction like 'The Island,' shares her journey from journalism to novel writing. She discusses how travel and history inspire her storytelling, along with the meticulous research behind her work. Hislop emphasizes creating a sense of place and character depth, and explains her approach of starting with a synopsis. She also reveals insights on writing routines, the emotional challenges of historical topics, and the balance of critique and praise in shaping her craft.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Unexpected Inspiration
Victoria Hislop's first novel, The Island, was inspired by a trip to Spinalonga, a former leper colony in Crete.
The experience was deeply emotional and sparked a compulsion to write, despite her lack of prior aspirations to be a novelist.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Overcoming Rejection
The Island faced initial rejection due to its focus on leprosy, considered commercially unappealing.
It was eventually accepted by an editor whose father had experience with leprosy.
insights INSIGHT
Conviction and Purpose
Hislop felt a strong conviction about The Island and never considered abandoning it.
She attributes this to a deep-seated need to tell the story and correct misunderstandings about leprosy.
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The Brand New Novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times Bestselling Author of The Island
Victoria Hislop
In "The Figurine," Victoria Hislop crafts a compelling narrative centered around Helena, who inherits her grandparents' Athenian flat and unearths a trove of valuable antiquities. This discovery plunges Helena into a world of illicit antiquities trafficking and the dark secrets of her family's past, particularly her grandfather's role in the Greek dictatorship. The novel explores themes of historical injustice, cultural heritage, and the fight for truth. Hislop masterfully weaves together a gripping plot with vivid descriptions of Athens, creating an immersive reading experience. The story highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding the ownership and preservation of historical artifacts.
The Island
Mark O'Neill
The return
Victoria Hislop
The Return by Victoria Hislop is a captivating story that delves into the lives of the Ramírez family during the Spanish Civil War. The novel is structured around Sonia Cameron, an English tourist who becomes fascinated by the family's history through vintage photographs and conversations with Miguel, the owner of a café in Granada. The story intertwines Sonia's modern life with the harrowing experiences of the Ramírez family, highlighting themes of love, resilience, and the impacts of civil war. The novel provides a vivid portrayal of flamenco, bullfighting, and the rich cultural heritage of Spain, while also exploring the personal battles and tragedies faced by the family during this tumultuous period[1][3][4].
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Louis de Bernieres
The novel is set on the Greek island of Cephalonia during the early years of World War II. It follows the story of Captain Antonio Corelli, an Italian officer with a passion for music, particularly the mandolin, and his interactions with the local population, especially Dr. Iannis and his daughter Pelagia. The story delves into the historical events of the Greco-Italian War and the subsequent German occupation, highlighting the personal struggles and romantic relationships that develop amidst the conflict. Corelli's charm and musical talents gradually win over the hearts of the villagers, including Pelagia, despite the initial animosity towards the Italian occupation. The novel explores themes of love, war, and the human condition against the backdrop of historical events[2][4][5].
Bestselling historical fiction novelist Victoria Hislop (The Island, The Figurines) on how she started writing, how she weaves her love of travel and history into her books, the realities of research, and her process for writing books that engineer conversation. We talk about how she evokes a sense of place, how she absorbs a new environment to write about and why she begins with a synopsis before writing a book.
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ABOUT VICTORIA HISLOP
Victoria Hislop is the international bestselling author of The Island and The Return. In the United Kingdom, she writes travel features for The Sunday Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday, House & Garden, and Woman & Home. The Island sold over a million copies in the UK and has been translated into 24 languages. Victoria’s second novel, The Return, has been published in more than a dozen languages.
London Writers' Salon 
