Paula Byrne, a bestselling biographer and novelist, shares her insights into the lives of literary giants like Jane Austen, Evelyn Waugh, and Thomas Hardy. She delves into Hardy's tumultuous relationships with women and how they influenced his tragic portrayals of love. The conversation also touches on Virginia Woolf's surprising thoughts on Hardy, the historical impact of figures like Mary Robinson, and how Georgian theater shaped Austen's humor. Byrne's lively anecdotes reveal the intricate connections between personal life and creative storytelling.

Paula Byrne, author of 'Hardy Women: Mothers, Sisters, Wives, Muses', investigates the women in Thomas Hardy's life. They discuss his romantic life, the impact of domestic violence on his work, contradictions in his views on women, and the relationships portrayed in his novels.