Here’s another post about my literary influences. It would seem rather pretentious to claim Shakespeare as an influence on my infant self. His language was not exactly easing reading for a child in the 1960s – probably even less now, unless it could be conveyed entirely by emojis. And it isn’t just the language thatContinue reading “IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Henry V”
Category Archives: history
By The Book, Kings and Angels
In a previous post, I offered thoughts about various artistic representations of Judith and Holofernes (or at least his head), because it related to my last book, BETHULIA. If you want to know how, read the book. Having set the precedent, I am taking the opportunity to waffle about another work of art: The WiltonContinue reading “By The Book, Kings and Angels”
The Big Pronoun Query
I know pronouns are a big issue at the moment, with people claiming whatever pronoun fits their gender identity. I suppose I should go with She, Her, because I do, did, and always will, identify with human beings defined as female at birth and, as a result, subjected, over several millennia, to oppression, silencing, abuse,Continue reading “The Big Pronoun Query”
IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Twenty Years After
Twenty Years After, or more correctly Vingt Ans Après, by Alexander Dumas, is an adventure story about the frustrated career of a man called Dart. I lie, of course. He’s really called D’Artagnan, but that was a totally mystifying collection of letters that I couldn’t get my head around at all. If you don’t knowContinue reading “IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Twenty Years After”
And so, with Changing Patterns the Story of the Haworth Trilogy continues: Sequel to Pattern of Shadows and the book before Living in the Shadows. #Excerpt #weekendRead #Promotion #Novelines #Honno
Originally posted on Judith Barrow:
Although all three of the books in the Haworth trilogy are based on the same family, they are also stand alone. And yet, to be completely honest, I do need to add this from one of the reviewers… “This is the part where I’m supposed to tell you that each…
Bad Hair Day for Holofernes
The great thing about the Bible, for artists of the past, was that it gave them a whole host of excuses to depict war, murder, pillage, rape, and a great deal of naked flesh, without risk of censure. Or mostly without censure. Michelangelo had a field day, but a few fig leaves were added later.Continue reading “Bad Hair Day for Holofernes”
Wednesday Windback with Thorne Moore @ThorneMoore
Originally posted on Jill's Book Cafe:
Today I’m delighted to revisit my Five on Friday interview with Thorne Moore which was first posted in July 2019. It’s been brought up to date to include Thorne’s latest publications. Thorne writes psychological mysteries, or “domestic noir,” exploring the reason for crimes and their consequences, rather than…
Bethulia and Otto
This is Otto, and he has a significant role in my new novel, Bethulia. Okay, when I say he’s Otto, that’s my name for him. He is actually “The Teifi Otter” and he was presented to the town of Cardigan on the Teifi estuary by David Bellamy on behalf of the Dyfed Wildlife Trust, toContinue reading “Bethulia and Otto”
Beryl, Warrior Princess
On April 21st 1926, with the best doctors in attendance, a baby girl was born in the Mayfair townhouse of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. The birth of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was announced that day on a silent Pathe newsreel, predicting that she would one day be Queen. Five days earlier, withoutContinue reading “Beryl, Warrior Princess”
Ann Hatton ( Ann of Swansea) and Sarah Siddon #FamousSisters #relationships #families #stage #actresses, #authors #poetry @honno
Originally posted on Judith Barrow:
Sisters Ann of Swansea and Sarah Siddon Ann Hatton and her older sister Sarah, were the daughters of Roger Kemble and Sarah Ward, who led a troupe of travelling actors. Sarah was born in Brecon in July 1755, Ann, otherwise known as Ann of Swansea, in Worcester in April 1764.…
Thorne Moore 